iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 27/06/2026

What's your favorite tool? Cleaning my bench, my favorite tools are the oldest I have. Dividers, bench pin used as drilling waste board, ruler, ring clamp.

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

Missing Australia, so I made myself a sterling black fly. #iykyk Moving there in 2027. 🤞

Images shows a lapel pin in the shape of a common fly, made of sterling silver.

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

Second cuff/bracelet based on textured glass I found in Puerto Vallarta. Sterling silver, frosted/satin finish. Further thoughts in comments #tdmw #jewelery #ooak #silversmith

A silver cuff style bracelet with high relief rests on a conical display

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Someday I'll upgrade the "scoop" I use to load the electro-melt furnace. But that day isnt today. #lostwaxcasting #tdmw

An aluminum can with the lid partially removed being used to pour metal into an electric furnace melter.

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 24/04/2026

Kidney pendant from 2021. Cast in sterling silver from a hollowed-out wax that itself was copied from a rubber toy. Made for a friend who gave a kidney to her mother and who I worked with at the toy store where we sold this rubber kidney. #tdmw #ooak #silversmith #metalwork

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

I need to start a reference collection of twisted wire patterns. The middle one is half round and round twisted together, will make in silver as a frame around a portrait in a western style buckle. #metalsmith #silversmith #tdmw

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

Looking at this GRS mount box to upgrade my gold recovery. I have a flimsy box I use rn, when grinding castings, etc. But long term need something sturdier. This one on ebay for $90 shipped. #goldsmith #jewelrymaker #ooak #silversmith #jeweler

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Turquoise set in sterling silver ring. The stone size determined to ring size due to the design I chose. Came out to a US size 13 ring. Really happy with how this ring came out. #tdmw #silversmith #jewelry #metalwork

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Cast sterling cuff in style of vintage Taxco jewelry was my goal. Inspired by textured privacy glass you find see everywhere in old buildings in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I took a piece home from a building which, like a lot of PV, which will be gone soon, ... #taxco #silversmith #jewelry 1/2

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

HARD PASS! To whatever you like. I have a growing list where my response will be HARD PASS. Cast bronze lapel pin. Currently only one, but I might some more. #jewelry #lostwaxcasting #metalwork #tdmw

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 16/03/2026

My tribute to Lao Gan Ma brand chili oil with black beans. One of one since they changed the lid to have a sticker instead of printing her image directly on the metal like they used to. #laoganma #jewelry #metalwork

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 12/03/2026

I built a new kiln controller. This time with touchscreen display. This is the 3rd kiln controller I've built. Same Neycraft manual kiln for ~30 years. Need to remove plastic film and finish screwing together, but test fire was 💯 #lostwaxcasting #jewelrymaking #silversmith #metalsmith #goldsmith

Image of computer controlled programmable kiln controller for lost wax casting burnout. Features a touchscreen LCD panel to start/stop and manage burnout.

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

The joy of finding you already have the shape of forming stake you were shopping for. #metalsmith #tdmw

Conical steel forming stake mounted in vise

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 11/06/2025

Gold is so insanely expensive rn. Shown is ~52grams of 18k gold being alloyed and made into wire. The intrinsic value of the gold is $4173. If I purchased 18K gold wire instead of making it, it would have been an additional $1000 in processing charges. #jewelry #handmade #goldsmith #tdmw

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 25/04/2025

Prototype flask base. It's a challenge to target the 18mm/.75" pour spout (in black below) with a graphite crucible, especially when pouring small amounts for say 1-2 gold rings (15-30g total weight). New funnel is 50mm/2" wide and test pour went well, though flask not well seated for vacuum

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

New baby, old baby. Graphite crucibles wear out fast. The fresh one is smooth and shiny, the other used ~15 times is a crumbling mess. #lostwaxcasting

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 18/04/2025

Siraya Tech Defiant 25 (1:1) is my new favorite molding silicone. I used to use Sorta-Clear 37 (1:1) and sometimes Sorta-Clear 18 (10:1) It is thinner, trapping less bubbles (I still vacuum after mixing) and cheaper. Durability is TBD. #moldmaking #jewelrymaking #silversmithing #sirayatech #tdmw

Containers of the molding product Defiant 25 2 part silicone mold and a U-frame mold.

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 19/03/2025

Day one Tokyo: I always wondered where the "land" hanging in space on classic Chinoiserie wallpaper etc from Europeans (left, pic 1) was based on. Was it maps (right, pic 2) like this one at Tokyo National Museum that present space in an unusual way? Any art history majors know?

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

Prototype flask base (right) Vacuum casting when using an electro-melt furnace is a challenge with small flasks b/c the pouring area is so small. Trying to make an improved wider funnel base unless someone knows where do buy something like this commercially? #tdmw #lostwaxcasting #metalsmith

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 23/02/2025

New small studio solution: I now have my rolling mills on wooden skids w/ felt bottoms that slide into place and are bolted down to the bench. Both slide into corner when not in use. Hopefully next studio will have more space. #tdmw #maker #studio #handmade #metalsmith #jewelry

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Made this little sabot charm yesterday with the conflagrated idea of the French Resistance and the origin of the word "sabotage". I fear the US is sliding into fascism and acts of resistance small and large will be necessary to stop it. #tdmw #lostwaxcasting #waxcarving #handmade #jewelry #maker

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

My studio in the snow. I like the snow for about 5 minutes. It's been days and I'm so over it.

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

New convenience while vacuuming investment: a cheap ($15) percussion massager #tdmw #lostwaxcasting #metalsmith #casting

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

This was this morning but feels like a metaphor for January. #tdmw #lostwaxcasting #jewelry

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 04/02/2025

Making a chunky 18k yellow gold paperclip bracelet. #tdmw #goldsmith #handmade #jewelry

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

My "chain library". When I make a chain for a specific piece I will look at my previous samples and make more as necessary until I know what shape wire, what thickness, what size mandrel to form it around, orientation (e.g. half-round wire in or out). #tdmw #metalsmith #handmade #jewelry

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

Replaced prototype with soldered circuit in my self-built kiln controller based on this project: github.com/jbruce12000/... It was a hassle getting set up, but I love having a web-based kiln controller. #tdmw #lostwaxcasting #metalsmith

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

Vase with forever flowers of brass. The vase is after another metalsmith's work, but I have no idea who it was-- something I saw online years ago on tumblr. Mine has two lids, one with a large single opening and one with a grid of small openings. #tdmw #metalsmith #handmade

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

Cock pins. Background context: Women at my former employer frequently had their ideas dismissed until a man parroted the same idea. This job also had a dress code that involved requiring men to wear neck ties. When they rescinded the dress code after ~30 years ... (1/2)

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 29/01/2025

Toy surprise ring. 14k gold. Split comfort fit shank. Idea was making a cracker-jack box type prize but in nice materials. The vending machine capsule and confetti are as presented to owner. The close up is after she'd been wearing it for a while. #tdmw #handmade #jewelery #goldsmith

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Silver refining: Cementation Now I've added a pure copper bar to the solution. The silver falls out of solution and the copper bar dissolves into the solution. That's ~98-99% pure silver crystals sloughing off the copper bar at the beginning. #tdmw #silversmith #metalwork #refining

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 28/01/2025

Silver Refining: Continuing from a previous post, this is the filtered result of dissolving 300grams scrap sterling silver in nitric acid. Strange to see a clear blue fluid that is holding ~280grams (1/2 lb) of pure silver. At the end I'll make a little video of the steps. #silversmith #tdmw

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 26/01/2025

Started refining some mostly sterling silver scrap last night. It's satisfying for me to watch mis-cast and other failed projects dissolve. Similar to melting them for reuse, which is also very satisfying.

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

Garnet ring in 14k gold. First gold ring I made. I alloyed the gold from a 24k gold coin -> 14k yellow gold, poured an ingot and drew the wire. The setting holding the garnet is actually 3 square wire jump rings soldered together. #tdmw #goldsmith #metalsmith #maker #jewelery #handmadejewelry

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 24/01/2025

Does anyone have thoughts on white gold? I've never understood the appeal. To me it seems like a slightly different shade of "white" than silver with a much higher price point. IDGI #jewelery #jeweler #handmadejewelry #goldsmith

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

Tea canister in sterling silver. I think I made this in 2018. Pretty happy with it, though I learned a lot while making it for things I've made since. #tdmw #silversmith #jeweler #handmade #maker

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 21/01/2025

My buddies. These two crows recognize me and I feed them a small amount most days. I call them both Gerald (I call all crows Gerald) It's only 23F today, so I put out water for them as well.

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Staunch Character keychain. Hand sawn from 2mm (12 gauge) brass sheet. Made a couple for a couple of Staunch Characters I know. circa 2018. #tdwm #metalsmith #maker #jewelery #handmadejewelery #dontletthebastardsgrindyoudown

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 19/01/2025

Studio talisman to get me to fix defects in wax before casting. It takes so much longer to fix in metal and is rarely the right choice. Made by Vienna Pitts on the idea of getting a crappy shot on film/video and fixing it in post (production) vienna-pitts.myshopify.com #tdmw #lostwaxcasting

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Reposted by Ted Dreger Metalwork

It's The Big Iron, Charlie Brown @big-iron.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Honor his memory by doing something strange, unraveling a riddle within yourself, and working on your favorite projects.

David Lynch in sunglasses saying "i hope you all are having a lot of fun working on your favorite projects"

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Memento Mori ring made for myself. Sterling silver, 24k bezel and gold keum boo and glass enamel over fine silver. I really like how this turned out. I like to think of it as a relic a pope found as a cereal box prize. #tdmw #handmadejewelry #silversmith #goldsmith #mementomori #tempusfugit

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

I haven't needed a gold recovery/capture system since I fabricate most things in gold, but occasionally I cast it as well. I don't want to invest in a gold recovery system so I'm trying this Japanese plastic box that folds up like IKEA/origami. #tdmw #handmadejewelry #goldsmith #jewelry #maker

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 14/01/2025

Lapis lazuli ring in 14k yellow gold comfort fit band. I didn't get a picture when it was first finished, so this is after owner had worn for some time. The lapis is a flat "coin" shape. #handmadejewelry #goldsmith #jewelry #tdmw

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

Paperclip style bracelet in 18k yellow gold. I alloyed the gold from 24k-> 18k, drew the wire, made the links and sister hook clasp. #handmadejewelry #tdmw #goldsmith #jewelry

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Sterling silver anchor bracelet. Cast and fabricated. The anchor is from an antique die possibly used to make buttons. #tdmw #silversmith #handmade

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 08/01/2025

Ring in silver and turquoise. Styled after a midcentury Danish ring my grandmother brought back from Europe. Size 10. #handmade #jewelry #tdmw

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