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About Us > About the Process

	About the Process
	Obviously, everything starts with an idea, whether it is a 2 am inspiration, a carefully planned addition or a serendipitous 3 dimensional doodle. Diane carefully sculpts the design which then becomes the Master. The master is placed between two sheets of rubber, heated and squeezed with hundreds of pounds of pressure (vulcanization). At the end of this process, the master is removed from the rubber leaving a detailed recess to be filled with metal. Gates (metal pathways) must be handcut to the right depth and breadth, and enter the design at the desired location. When all gates and air vents are cut into the rubber (now a mold), it is ready for casting. The mold is placed in a centrifugal casting machine, squeezed and spun rapidly. Hot metal is poured into the mold, allowed to cool, and voila, new pieces. This is repeated for however many spins it takes to get the number of desired pieces After the pieces cool, they are hand finished to remove any excess metal or mold lines and sprayed with a blacking. This is then polished off, the minimal residue that remains, highlights the incredible detail Diane puts into each piece. Finishing touches such as gluing crystals and then packaging completes the process.