Beginning Cuttlebone Casting with Janet E Alexander

Ever wondered what to do with your scrap and pieces of sterling or fine silver? Now you can re-use your fired PMC by melting and casting them into cuttlebone making a new piece of jewelry. Cuttlebone is the backbone of a fish that looks like a squid. Cuttlebone is found in pet supply stores for birds to use. Either carve directly into the bone with simple tools found around the house or press an object into it making an impression to cast into.
The cuttlebone gives the new cast piece a wood grain texture. In this class the student learns how to cast into cuttlebone and then create a pearl setting using soldering techniques.
This video shows how to prepare, carve a design, and cast sterling silver scrape into cuttlebone. It Shows the setup, how to set a half drilled pearl, and finishing techniques.
Janet E Alexander is an accomplished metal artist with her work published in several books and magazines including on the cover of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist; The Gemmys 2015, Contemporary Metal Clay Rings. Her creations can be found in Metal Clay in Color, American Craft Magazine, Metal Clay Artist Magazine, Contemporary Metal Clay Rings, Metal Clay 101 for Beaders, and in New Directions: Powder Metallurgy in a Sheet Metal World.
For the past several years she has taught adults metalsmithing at conventions and gem shows. As a writer she co-authored, Metal Clay in Color, has written many tutorials for books and magazines.

[@katphyre]

Thank you for being so clear and organized. Your video moves at a good pace and all the details and tips you offer are super helpful.

[@JanetAlexanderJewelry]

Thank you so much!

[@maddrake55]

This was a very clear and well organized. Good teaching!

[@JanetAlexanderJewelry]

Thank you so much !

[@JanetAlexanderJewelry]

Thank you!

[@davetaylor7271]

Nice work! Excellent pour!

[@JanetAlexanderJewelry]

Thank you!

[@rparker1998]

when you rinse the piece, after the LOS, I assume you are using a baking soda/water combo, to neutralize the patina oxides?

[@JanetAlexanderJewelry]

Yes! Good question!