Hai! my name is Daphne, and about 20 years ago, I was living and working in NYC. I had just finished my degree at the Art Academy, and went to work as an Interior Architect at a small firm in Manhattan. In addition to my work at this architectural firm, I was looking for another creative outlet. By chance (or maybe not), I came across Fred de Vos, a Dutchman who is an absolute master of Wax Carving. He creates the most beautiful delicate yet powerful jewelry in very high carat gold with beautiful stones. Because of Fred, I fell in love with the Lost Wax Casting Technique.

From the moment I first touched the wax during the workshop I attended, in the beautiful studio of Fred de Vos, I was hooked on this technique and from that day on I dreamed of one day hosting my own Wax Jewelry Workshops.

Fred's Studio was bright and cozy, and very New York. It was located in downtown Manhatten, just above SoHo, on Broadway, where in the summer you could hear the sirens of the streets, the buzz of the city and the warmth of the sun poking through the windows. I remember in the winter (this is in 2004) getting my Hot Chai Latte from the Starbucks across the street, taking it on the tiny elevator to the 5th floor, walked down the narrow grey, uninspiring hallway and arrived at his door with a small orange sign. Every time I went through this door, I entered a magical world. I was greeted by a warm and cozy, light filled room where you could feel the positive atmosphere among the other students. His studio was my weekly me-time, the place where I could create without any limitation other than my creative mind and the material. There is something magical about creating something out of a piece of wax and having it transformed into an eternally treasured piece of silver or gold jewelry.

And dreams come true, because today I teach my own Wax Jewelry Workshops and introduce anyone who wants to know about this fantastic technique in my studio in Amsterdam West and on location.