Every now and then I am faced with an unusual request.
A very good friend of mine
needed me to create a piece of jewelry
for a video project.
Wanting to demonstrate
“how it’s done”,
he showed up at my door
with camera in hand and said
“Make something”
We spoke shortly about the various steps and he suggested I get out my sketch pad
“What should I make?”
“Something unusual but perhaps something you want to make.
It’s about the process, not necessarily the design.”
I sat with camera rolling
and automatically sketched out a crescent moon,
then thought about a moment over the more milder season
where I got a chance to watch a moon rise
with a mug of mead in my hand.
I then sketched out the scene and quickly signed my name
Toasting the Moon
“Now carve it”
“Really? now?”
“This needs to be in the editing room as soon as possible,
let’s get to it!”
I laughed and we set to the carving bench
and carved the piece.
Allyn caught a lot on camera,
shooting a few minutes
and then leaving me to my work.
When it came time to invest the flasks,
we were on a roll.
Investment takes more than an hour to harden and cure
– he stayed long enough to shoot the “loading of the oven”.
“I’ll be back in the morning” he told me – and so he was.
Anchoring the camera in the rafters,
he got the shot of the centrifuge from above:
metal molten and spilling like lava.
Laughing the entire time
we finished up weeks ahead of his deadline
and he was pleased with his grade!
I came across his footage years later
and decided to clean it up a bit.
A little lute music,
new titles and a logo,
a short tutorial for your pleasure.
To view it,
please visit my:
“How to order custom jewelry and sculpture” page.
It clarifies the lost wax process
and perhaps a peek at the rhythm of this art.
Toasting the Moon became more than a video project,
I find it a great source of joy as I remember it’s creation,
good friends and times.
A true amulet of good cheer!
Amulets by Merlin's Blog 