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Practical Casting
In this virtual course, participants will learn how to cast using numerous ancestral casting techniques. Discover practical ways to reproduce pieces using materials such as cuttlefish bones and learn to cast original or one-of-a-kind designs through carving plaster or stone. We will also explore a lost wax casting process that utilizes clay and bees wax materials. Enjoy learning ancient metalworking methods using a more low-tech approach than contemporary casting practices!
For more information about virtual courses, visit our Virtual Course FAQ page.
Please read the Materials & Tools tab!
Meet the instructor
Matthieu moved from Paris to New-Mexico when he was 19, where for seven years he studied Navajo, Hopi and Zuni jewelry techniques. He was immediately drawn to stamping, making concho belts and bracelets. He then moved to Mali, West-Africa and worked for a few years with the Fulani, Tuareg and Bambara jewelers.
In 1999, Matthieu settled in Montreal Canada and continued his studies by going to a jewelry school and learning a more classical part of the trade. Over the years, Matthieu has returned to Africa regularly.
In 2014, Tim McCreight and Mattheiu Cheminee created the Toolbox Initiative, a non-profit organization that helps jewelers in West Africa through the gifts of donated tools.
“I have been stamping and making stamps since the beginning and have developed a form of stamping design by creating patterns that fill the entire piece of metal. This is called “tessellation”.
Matthieu has written two books, “Legacy, jewelry techniques of West Africa“ and “The Art of Stamping”, both published at Brynmorgen Press.
Visit Matthieu's website or instagram page for more info on his work.
Materials & Tools
The following supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name (in red) to be redirected to a page where you can find the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. Student participation during or in-between class sessions is strongly encouraged but not required - observers are welcome.
Casting materials:
- 1oz x silver (Rio Grande)
- 1lb x Plaster of Paris (Lowes)
- 1lb x clay - cone 6 (Amazon)
- 1lb x fine sand (Lowes)
- 5lb x tufa stone (Thunderbird Supply)
- 1sqft x burlap (Lowes)
- 2 x pieces of cuttlefish bone (Petco or Gesswein)
- 1 x crucible (Rio Grande)
- 100g x bee wax (Amazon)
- 1 x tongs or casting glove - to move hot mold
A soldering setup:
- 1 x fireproof area - steel sheet, tiles, etc. (Amazon or Home Depot)
- 1 x torch - hot enough to melt sterling. (Rio Grande or Rio Grande)
- 1 x striker or lighter - Silversmith system has one (Rio Grande)
Hand tools:
- 1 x jewelers saw (Rio Grande)
- 1 x pack saw blades - 2/0 (Rio Grande)
- 1 x bench pin (Rio Grande)
- 1 x half round hand file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
- 1 x set of needle files - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
- 1 x scribe (Rio Grande)
- 1 x small steel ruler (Rio Grande)
- 1 x sheet of sand paper - 220 to 600 grits (Amazon)
- 1 x calipers (Amazon)
- 1 x dividers (Rio Grande)
- 1 x old hand file
Other/miscellaneous items:
- particulate dust mask
- eye protection
- sturdy work surface
- fan / open window, ventilation, or outside
- pyrex bowls - medium to large
- protective apron / covering