cameo mould / mold jewelery making - please help!?

Question

Sorry if this is the wrong section but it was the most suitable one I could find. If you don't know I would really appreciate it if you took the time to do a search for me because i'm at my wits end trying to find good information on this subject!!

I am looking for information on cameo necklaces. Cameo moulds/molds? I am wondering how you would make your own and what you would use.
How to get the shape for the mould.. would you need to get your chosen design sculpted in metal and make a mould out of that then find some sort of clay to make the piece for the necklace..?

Thanks if you can help in any way!!

here are some links with pictures to let you know the kind of jewelery i'm talking about:
http://www.paperclay.com/images/cameo2.jpg
http://images.google.co.uk/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=cameo+pendant&btnG=Search
http://images.google.co.uk/images?svnum=10&hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=cameo+pendant&btnG=Search

Answer 1

A true Cameo is hand carved from a single piece of shell or banded agate - the colours are actual layers in the shell or stone. I visited a cameo factory in Italy a long time ago and watched them being made - cool.

That said, you could make the cameos from Sculpey or Fimo - polymer clays that are baked in the oven to harden. You can make the original from the same clay (or carve it from soapstone or plaster of paris, or use a cameo you've purchased) and make a mold of it using latex mold compound found in a good art supplies store. It comes with full instructions.

I imagine your final piece could also be made of polymer clay in the appropriate colours, or paint it after with acrylic paint, using a varnish to seal it after. You can purchase the metal "cabochon" setting at a jewelery supply place, make the cameos to fit the setting and use epoxy glue to attach.

Answer 2

e bay would be a good place to look!