The original design starts as a sketch on paper. P.D. Crowe P.D.'s talent for interpreting the original drawings brings them to life in silver. The detail and expression she can create in her carvings are amazing. The wax model is transformed into silver by the lost wax casting technique. The wax is invested in a plaster mold which is fired in a 1300 degree furnace, vaporizing the wax.
Molten silver is poured into the mold's cavity.
The silver, when cool, perfectly reproduces the hand carved wax. Molds are then made from this silver model to make multiple editions of the ornament. Our silver castings faithfully reproduce the original model but require a lot of hand work to become pretty. The mirror finish we associate with sterling silver is the result of much labor.