DESIGNING
The
original design is engraved into a heat-tolerant plastic.
MOLDING
This
design is placed between two pieces of rubber in an 'oven'
under intense pressure for roughly 2 hours (vulcanizing.)
The rubber forms around the design and takes its shape. The
original is removed.
CASTING
A
brick of pewter is melted in a pot (see photo above). Liquid
metal is ladeled into the prepared rubber mold (at about 550
F.) After the metal cools and the pieces of rubber are separated,
there is a rough casting of the design.
FINISHING
Each
piece is ground down and cleaned by hand. The recessed areas
are blackened, cleaned and tumbled. A buffing wheel is used
to give a final satin finish to the front and sides. The piece
is lacquered, hung on a cord, and packaged.
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