iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

I would have been tempted to reply "Dear Madame"

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

I feel like America must have really broke them down.

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

Another favorite is this failed brass vase project I use for my flux brushes

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 · 15/06/2026

I've been to Orbost, but that's the closest I've been to Snowy Mountains area.

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 14/06/2026

Melbourne to start (husband is from) but possibly Hepburn/Daylsford. Where are you from? I also love Tassie, but the weather is so similar to the pacific NW where we live now.

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

For this one, I made a mold of the original glass and struggled to make wax copies that were pliable and also bubble free. Ended up using beeswax. Really happy with this version, closer to what I had in mind originally. Someday I'll learn to photograph my works better, but that days isn't today.

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 · 01/05/2026

I also have riveted mother of pearl to metal, used 24k gold wire as a rivet. If you have the time, I wonder if buying some thin/delicate glass beads to practice with would be helpful?

Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 28/04/2026

I'm more hung up on the use of the word "clinic"

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

I think that tracks, and that's why that fundamentalist branch moved to Mexico, to stay outside the US

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 26/04/2026

Re: Mormons, I remember being shocked to learn only recently that they moved the church from NY to Salt Lake City because, at the time, that was still outside the US territory.

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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

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

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

That's funny, I've been living in Seattle area for 18 years and just joining. Been metalworking for 30+ years. I just assumed that SMG was like a local chapter of SNAG, which I found too academic/art gallery oriented. I'm sad I missed their March tool swap.

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

I have a similar one of even thinner material from Japan that has held up without showing too much matting from abrasive and metal. But my current one doesn't mount and feels like it will fall apart if you look at it wrong.

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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

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

Ugh. It's all so gross. My small resistance to insta is always posting here first and trying to point people here.

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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

..replaced by a tower of apartments for Americans and Canadians. I mostly hit my goal on this cuff, but I keep revisiting, working on one with the raised texture instead of sunken. Also playing with a clasp and hinged version with a more "fine jewelry" design goal. 2/2

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 · 31/03/2026

Yellow bronze alloys can give a really nice color similar to 14k. I've only cast with bronze. Bronze alloys also take chemical patinas really well from my experience

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

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 · 10/12/2025

Probably an unpopular opinion, but Clerks is the only movie I can remember wanting my time back.

Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 06/12/2025

If he was the candidate, I would reluctantly vote for him, but agree. To me he is a socially moderate republican.

Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

And they just finished that rehab/restoration on the Castro, that would be a great show. I love her older voice so much.

Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

When I was younger, I didn't care for sit down shows since it changes the dynamic so much. Admittedly, I do prefer them now... though the last show I went to was SRO.

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 · 19/05/2025

Do you remember seeing the mushroom cloud to the north? I do, mostly because it was confusing that it looked like a nuclear mushroom cloud which I also didn't understand

Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

Also I had poor suction on this test because I skipped adding the wax tubes I normally add on the walls of the solid flask. At least that's what I think happened.

Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 26/04/2025

I use wet paper towels to get a better/consistent seal and also extends the life of my rubber gaskets.

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 · 05/03/2025

This is old country studio. I just expanded it last year before I received my residency visa

Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

One path to lower upfront costs would be a smith little torch with regulators for disposable tanks (propane + oxygen) so you can defer buying regulators and full size tanks

riogrande.com

Smith® Little Torch™ Propane and Oxygen Set for Disposable Tanks - RioGrande

Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

Yeah, just not compatible with tips #1 and #2 for reasons I forget

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Ted Dreger Metalwork @tdmw.bsky.social · 27/02/2025

I switched to a smith little torch (oxygen acetylene) about 15 years ago. I love it! I also switched to oxygen and propane about 4 years ago, just means you can't use the smallest two tips.