Featured Designer

Matt Bezak

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About Matthew Bezak's Art

Matthew Bezak’s skills evolved and grew from a foundation in dental laboratory technology;
these skills readily transferred to jewelry methods. Jewelry as an artistic expression is how he describes his work.

Bezak has strived to learn and master whatever technique serves his design purposes. This has led to studies ingranulation, platinum fabrication, glass beadmaking, glassblowing, and fine cast glass & crystal. Lost wax glass casting is an ancient technique. The early Egyptians used this process for vases, beads, and amulets. Rene Lalique utilized it to create masterpieces in fine jewelry during the Art Nouveau period in early 20th century France. In lays Bezak’s inspiration to createobjects of beauty with cast glass, precious metals and gemstones.

The process of casting glass consists of several steps that must be rigidly adhered to for success. The wax to be cast is invested in high heat plaster material, and the wax removed in a burnout cycle. This creates a perfect, but fragile, mold. A specific heating cycle is used that allows the mold to be brought up to temperatures where glass will melt into it. Once the mold is filled it must be brought down to temperature very slowly to ease the tension in the glass itself. This ensures that it will exist in a stable form, much like any other glass we use every day. Upon removal of the rough casting from the investment plaster, there is a lapidary process employed, a sand cleaning, and an acid etch that brings out the matte finish on the glass surface.

"I feel special when I come to Z Folio, like I deserve something nice."

-Amy