Lost Wax casting

 The art of lost wax casting is about 6,000 years old, and mastered by many ancient civilizations. Artists commonly used beeswax because of its softness and workability. Wax jewelry and sculptures were created and then encased in a plaster mold. Molten metal is poured over the mold, turning the intricate delicate wax into durable detailed metal. 

Over the years I have admired the artistry of the bees and the wax they produce. They create architectural masterpieces used for everything from birthing new bees to storing supplies of honey. The beeswax is the internal structure, the bees skeleton, that holds the colony together as one. 

The more unique wax creations are known as queen cells and queen cups. These are created for the specific purpose of growing new queen bees. Once a queen has hatched, or died within the cell, they remain scattered throughout the hive like hidden easter eggs. Each one used just once and rarely again, making them all unique and one of a kind, just as the queen bees themselves. 

My passion for bees and jewelry created a unique opportunity for a creative endeavor. I delicately saved each queen cell found in hives that needed renovations. These individual pieces of art were then cast as is in various metals. Forever preserving the beautiful artistry of the honey bees. The wax is melted away during the process, making each piece one of a kind. 

Some queens were murdered by a sister, or died before hatching. These queens have been cast in their cells to preserve both the wax art and the bee it was created for. These are rare, as most colonies discard sick and dying bees outside the hive to prevent disease. To find one is to find the golden easter egg! 

By preserving the bees art using the lost wax casting method, each queen can be honored and the hard work of her daughters enjoyed by all. Current items can be found for sale at Carpinteria Arts Center, or by reaching out directly.