Jo La Collage by Ellen Jane Kelly

A number of years ago I started exploring the craft of lost wax casting. Lost wax casting is phenomenal in scope because it is derived from ancient tradition and yet is now used with CAD (computer aided design) in jewelry design. The essential techniques still are the same- a wax model is created, and this is placed in a container and filled with a liquid rubber or silicone. Once the liquid sets up and hardens, the wax part is burned out (hence “lost wax”), leaving a negative to be filled with molten metal. Each wax piece can take hours, sometimes days to carve by hand. I created my earliest bezels using lost wax techniques, and still occasional refer to it to make a piece. However a few years ago I began working with copper metal clay. The piece is carved and fired in a kiln at 2000 degrees until the copper sinters. The master is used to cast pewter pieces which are then plated in sterling silver and/or 24K gold. Once the metalwork is finished, the bezels are colorized with resins, crystals, and other embellishments.

Our ear wires are 14K gold filled or solid sterling silver.

While my work has been sometimes described as vintage looking, it is really more transitional, drawing from both contemporary and vintage aspects. It is designed to be slightly frivolous and certainly colorful, and yet set into structured framework. It fits dress up to blue jeans, and is intended for the working woman. There are many sides to all of us. Our personalities are a collage of the lighthearted and the serious, as is my work. I hope you enjoy.