Let me start by saying that it all started by accident... I was fixing a lawn-mower and had all the screws on my work bench. I was mixing epoxy to fix a broken plastic part. Somehow, I knocked the cup with the glue over the screws, a couple of hours later when I came back to re-assemble the lawn-mower, I discovered a piece of art... All the screws and bolts were encased in a clear coat that looked like it should be framed. I looked at it with more light and said... Umm I can do something with that exchanging the screws and bolts with some charms and diamonds (genuine glass) After making a couple of them, I was told that I could make and sale them... So here we are.

In creating my pieces, I feel that I am combining natural elements, art, chemistry, antiquity, modern technology, and  beauty! Once the piece of jewelry is completed, it will preserve the everlasting beauty of any item encased. The craftsmanship, skill and unique designs make for excellent gifts of long remembrance. I love what I do and it shows!

About the process:
The process is NOT a secret!!! I am disclosing it all here in details. I think that  combining some of the things mentioned above is special. However, The skill and precision of the sculpture of each piece to have its own character and everlasting impression IS the art!
 
To start I have to visualize what the item should look like as a final product... After all, if I do not like the end-result, no one will ever see it! If it is a necklace I am creating for the sake of the description, I decide on the color, the charm or other material it will have in, and the shape of course which in many ways is sculpture.

The chemical process:
I use liquid polyester and a hardener in the proper combination (wrong amounts will end in undesirable results) usually combining a color pigment for the base process.

The final item is done by pouring polyester twice, sometimes three times or more, however, twice is the minimum. After the colored base is poured in a square mold, it takes about 7-10 minutes to be 70-80% dry to the touch and reaches a temperature of 140 to 200 degrees approximately. At this point, I place the charm I chose on the base square and prepare the second pouring layer which of course is clear. I align the charm to the desired place, remove any air bubbles with a hot stream of air. After that it takes about 35 minutes to harden and dry completely to be able to sculpt, sand and polish.

When the square is dry, it shrinks 0.02 millimeters approx. and makes it easy to remove off of the raw square mold. Once I have the square, I decide on the final sculpture to make the pendant of my choice and the looks that will be most flattering and attractive as a necklace on any chest or bust. Again, if I did not receive that feeling of a special creation that talks back... no one will ever see it and I move to the next piece.

Next comes the messy part:
To shape the square to my liking, I use a few tools and processes. Most of the tools I use are either Ryobi, Delta or Milwaukee. I cut with a bend saw the rough shape of the pendent, use a table top belt sander to get the final shape, now comes the orbital hand sander with lighter grit. When all the rough scratches of the belt sander are removed, I use 400 to 1000 grit sand paper manually to smooth the piece to the maximum possible. (Dusty.. very dusty)

The polishing process:
I have 3 polishing machines, each one does a different job. The first machine I use for the heavy first smoothing to even up the piece and round the corners a bit, obviously it is a harsh grit compound used ("Tripoli").

The second machine is used to give it the primary glossy finish with a medium grit compound (Green), at this point the piece can be used this way with a tad of matt. To complete the piece, I use a third buffer with a compound jewelers use to shine gold and silver call " Red Rouge - Water based". I use a 500 watts lights to find all the smallest imperfections (if any) and fix them.

When the pendant is completed, I mark a dot where a tinny hole will be, I use a high speed gold coated drills with a heavy duty table top drill machine. I secure the pendent to a small platform and drill the hole carefully not to crack the piece. At this point, I use a hand drill with a counter-sink bit to remove the sharp edges of the hole on both sides.

When done, I wash my hands from all the compound and the dust, wash the pendent as well to remove any residue of compound, finger prints, dirt and such. I add a hook, gold or silver depending on the inner design and glue it with #3 jewelers Epoxy. Now comes the process of deciding if the pendent will have a black or tan leather cord or a chain..

After the necklace is completed, I clean it again with a solution I have created to give it a shine and a pleasant feel.  I take a photo of it for future reference and if it is for sale to add it to the web site.

That concludes all the secrets of that trade. Thank you for being interested.

* Resistant to oil, water (hot or cold), alcohol and even tested with high grade industrial acetone.