Drawing a Pattern With the Wax Pen
In the Bench Tips column that appeared in the June issue, I discussed the method of making a wax model by drawing on a sheet of glass. This process involves either using a design drawn on a backing piece of paper or completing the pattern by drawing the pattern freehand on the glass surface. This method works very well for a flat piece like a pendant, even when a stone is in the design. Because the heated wax gives off a small amount of smoke, you MUST wear a suitable respiratory device for smoke protection.
In this project, I used a 1-1/2 inch tall cabochon. The first step is to apply a very thin coat of light oil or silicone mold release material to the cabochon and the sheet of glass. This step makes it easier to separate the flexible wax from the cab and the glass surface. Next, start with creating a base on which the cabochon will sit. With the wax pen, draw an even line around the back outer edge of the cabochon avoiding the girdle edge. Keep adding layers on the original line until it is about one-sixteenth (1-12mm) of an inch high.
The next step is to scoop some wax off the wax block into the well on the tip and watch it slowly move down the groove on the tip until you see a small ball of wax form at the end. Hold the tip just above the cabochon’s back surface and draw the line. When the wax flow diminishes, replenish it from the wax block. Before you add another layer, let the existing line cool for a few seconds. You will have to add about five layers of wax to get the desired height.
Once you’ve completed the cabochon base, place it upright on a small piece of clear glass. I always tape a white piece of paper to the back of the glass, so the pattern that I’m drawing is easy to see. If you want, you could sketch the design on the paper before beginning, and then use it as a template.
At this point, I mark the edges of the cab with a small felt-tipped pen where I want to draw the prongs to appear on the cabochon. As you can see in the photos within this column, I used seven prongs. The number and placement of the prongs are up to you.
Because my cabochon had a pattern of small circles, I wanted the design to have small loops to compliment. I started by drawing a loop at the top of the cab. This mark is where I will attach the bail on the finished product. The next step is to draw the prongs on the cabochon. One tip: When you are at this point in the process, be sure to extend the prongs under the edge of the cab to connect with the backing line made previously. The next step involves drawing the desired shapes for the piece. It’s important to build each element with four to five layers of wax so it will be durable enough to withstand any stress on the jewelry piece.
Once the design is complete, lift the piece from the sheet of glass with a single edge razor blade. At this point, viewing the back of the design, it appears each element has a slightly ragged edge. With a paper towel, wipe all of the wax from the tip of the wax pen and use the wax pen to remove these edges lightly. The next step is to remove the stone and complete the same process on the outer edges under the prongs. While handling the wax pattern, it’s easy to see the strength and flexibility of the model.
The final step before casting the piece is to attach the sprue pieces to the back of the item, using the wax pen.