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Fire & Bone: Richly Textured Rings from Cuttlefish Castings


  • Metalwerx (Online) United States (map)

Unearth bold textures in this exciting two-day virtual class dedicated to the art of cuttlefish bone casting! This centuries-old technique uses the soft, ridged interior of these marine mollusks as a mold for molten silver, resulting in castings with rich, organic texture that no other method can replicate. No expensive equipment is required, and no two castings are ever alike!

On Day 1, we'll learn how to select and cut cuttlefish bones, prepare and carve molds, glaze and season a new crucible, safely melt and pour silver, and clean up raw castings for later use. We’ll discuss best practices for working with silver scrap—making this a perfect opportunity to recycle precious metal and minimize waste.

On Day 2, we’ll transform those raw castings into one-of-a-kind, wearable rings. Demos will cover sizing, soldering, and finishing techniques. Creative design approaches to help you make the most of your unique forms, including incomplete castings - will also be discussed.

Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced metalsmith looking for a new creative spark, this workshop offers a fiery, hands-on introduction to one of the most satisfying—and sustainable—casting methods in the studio.

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October 7

Melting With Purpose: Torch Fusing Techniques