Artist: Patricia Collins-Brown

Craft Medium:  Glass, Metal Artist's Statement: Most of the jewelry that I make is by the "Lost Wax Method" of casting developed in ancient Egypt. They crafted beeswax into designs that were coated with layers of clay and straw or linen and allowed to dry. These were then placed into an oven to harden and burn the wax out, leaving a cavity into which molten metal was poured. The clay was then broken away to retrieve the finished castings. Because the clay molds and wax designs were destroyed in the process, it has become known as the "Lost wax process". This process is very similar to what I use today except I use a plaster of paris type substance to engulf the wax pieces and allowed to harden. It is then put in a electric kiln to melt out the wax from the design. While the mold is still hot molten gold or silver is centrifugally forced into the mold where the metal cools and assumes the shape of the wax models. The plaster type mold is then submerged in a pail of cold water which dissolves the plaster and the gold or silver pieces are released. Which are then cut off and polished. Any bezels for stones are made and soldered on and the stone set. I antique each piece to bring out the design. Each piece is one of a kind and designed and made by me from start to finish. I take pride in every piece I make.