Sometimes inspiration comes from funny places. If you look closely at the white mug I keep job envelopes in on my workbench, you'll see this design (If you're wondering what else you're seeing, from left to right, there's sharpening stones, a couple wax signet rings ready for casting, a prong pusher, and a bottle of flux).
This is the first cross of this design that I made. This cross is hand fabricated and engraved.
I've decided to make this design again. I'm naming this cross the St. Ita cross, not because this is a cross design traditionally associated with St. Ita (there's not one that I can find), but because the first version of this design that I made was for my Goddaughter Ita. This time it will be lost wax cast, and more sculpted.
There was no drawing transferred to the wax for this one. I just referred to a picture of the first cross I made, using a compass to find reference points and proportions. Then, I used my dividers (the tool that looks like a compass with two steel points instead of a point and a pencil tip) to transfer the same points and proportions to the wax. The other tool is the graver that I used to cut the layout after scratching it into the surface.
Hand carving something does not mean that is will be imprecise. But, it's some of those imperfections, even the ones you're not aware of, that give it character. Today a design like this would often be created in a computer using CAD (Computer Aided Design) software. The model is then printed by a machine. While this is very precise, those imperfections, or even subtle, intentional aspects of the hand carving are lost in that approach. Personally, I prefer hand work in this type of design.
The wax carving is complete. Time for molding and casting.
Finished and ready to ship!
You can purchase this cross in my store here:
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