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broom cast sterling silver with opal beads

let’s talk about BROOM CASTING!!!

so Karin always has the best ideas for projects, but unlike most of us, she follows through and makes it happen! She bought a crucible (will NOT get tired of chances to say that as it’s a very epic word) and a broom – STRAW. it’s got to be natural.

so we bundled the straw (cut from the broom) bound with wire, and soaked it. the bundles fit easily in our hands, palm circumference. we set the soaked bundle on the ground (outside!!) in the bucket, with some rocks on the bottom, and held the bundle upright with very thick fireproof gloves on. i did the holding mainly, and Karin did the pouring.  So you put all your silver scraps into the crucible and heat the heck out of it with your torch until it’s fluid. we did this over and over and over again, you get a feel for the difference in result based on the heat, the amount of silver, the height and speed from which you pour…

these earrings were two of my favorite results. you get a lot of extra little pieces, sometimes it all clumps up… you should just try it and check out the results for yourself! amazing and uncontrollable. i would not recommend doing it alone though. you definitely need a helper. what fun!