Carve a Silver Ring | Wax Carving and Casting Workshop

Beginner to Advanced

In this two-day jewellery making workshop students will be introduced to a variety of wax working techniques, including carving and mouldable wax forming.

On day one, students will have the opportunity to experiment with different types of wax and make a wax ring that will be cast by a commercial caster. On day two students will learn how to clean up their cast ring, how to remove the sprue, emery and polish it ready to wear. Students will also learn additional tips and tricks for making wax models.

This jewellery making workshop is designed to provide you with new skills and a unique piece of jewellery created by you.

Course Skill Level:

Perfect for those with jewellery experience and those starting out on their jewellery making journey.

Find Dates and Book a Spot!

course details

$365 inc GST
2 days - 12 hours tuition
10am to 4pm

Find Dates and Book a Spot!

Wonderful class. Emily was a great teacher. We went through the basics of wax carving followed by demonstrations of the steps. Emily then looked at your individual design and advised the best way to achieve your outcome. It was a small class so you had a lot of one on one time (if you wanted to) and you can experiment with a range of different wax products. It was a really fun class and the other students were very friendly and helpful. 10/10 would recommend!

— Crystal C, Recent Student

ABOUT THE COURSE

The Wax Carving and Casting Workshop is an intensive two-day jewellery making course during which students will learn about the process of lost wax casting and experiment with a variety of wax working techniques. Students will make one wax ring (or another piece after discussion with the tutor). Students will be guided through technical as well as experimental techniques.

Best of all, the course allows plenty of time for experimentation. Our aim is to provide you with the skills and techniques you need to continue to develop your practice at home.

What is lost wax casting?

Lost wax carving is a traditional technique used in jewellery making and sculpture. A model is carved or shaped in wax and is then cast. To do this the wax model is ‘sprued’ to a wax tree, put into a special container and then filled with investment plaster. Once dry the investment plaster containing the wax model is put in a kiln, and the waxes are ‘burnt out’, leaving the space in the plaster where the model used to be. Molten metal is then injected into the space at high pressure and then allowed to cool. The plaster is then broken up to reveal the metal piece, which will then be cleaned and finished.

What You'll Learn

Guided technical project

Students will learn how to carve jewellery wax to make a ring to size. Students will learn how to measure, mark up and make a carved wax ring. Students will learn technical terms, tools used and what they do, they will gain a good base understanding of the tools and materials needed to continue working with wax. The techniques learnt here are ones that can be used at home to make wax models for jewellery.

What You'll Make

Students will make a ring design as their first project. We take the waxes to our casters to be cast and you can choose from a variety of metals (eg sterling silver, brass, bronze etc) The cost of your ring depends on it’s weight and the cost of the metal you choose on the day it is cast. Students usually spend between $30 and $70 on casting, but this is dependent on the scale of the ring design and what metal is selected.

Practicalities

What's included

All wax materials for experimentation and for the wax ring

The use of all tools and consumables

A selection of teas, coffee and yummy biscuits for morning and afternoon tea

We take your wax rings to the casters in time for the second class. We will weigh your rings and let you know an approximate price for each piece, this is dependent on the metal selected

What you need to bring

A notebook and pen/pencil

Covered shoes

Cash for the casting (usually $20 – $70 per piece dependent on metal and weight)

Your ideas and creativity!

Safety

We take safety very seriously at SquarePeg. All students must wear proper enclosed shoes (no sandals or thongs), long pants or skirts and have long hair tied back. We provide safety equipment and training on how to use all relevant equipment.

Payment Options

Enroll below – you can secure your place on the spot!

Or, take advantage of our payment by installments option to secure your place:

Pay a 40% deposit followed by a 30% payment six weeks out from your course, and the final 30% payment three weeks ahead of the course start date.

Our Tutors

Why choose a jewellery making course at SquarePeg Studios?

Our courses are taught by highly experienced and passionate teachers who are practising contemporary jewellers. This is the closest to an accredited course – without the assignments, stress and cost – that Sydney has to offer. Students not only gain the satisfaction of designing and hand-making their own piece of jewellery they also have the opportunity to get a behind the scenes look at a contemporary professional jewellery studio while learning great new skills in jewellery techniques and design.

Emily Copp

Emily is a Sydney based creative who works with diverse materials and technologies. She has presented work in many group shows, as well as exhibiting solo. Environmental and ethical concerns inform and motivate her works which include jewellery forms and small objects within her practice.

She is a resident artist and director at SquarePeg Studios alongside teaching various classes in SquarePeg Studio's classroom. Emily also moonlights as a sessional lecturer and technical officer at the University of NSW Art and Design Campus.

“I love the alchemy of transforming ideas into materialised design through the varied efforts and explorations of making.”

http://emilycopp.com

'Boundless' ring in 18k white gold and Australian Parti Sapphire by Emily Copp

Another fantastic course. I learned a lot about the process of lost wax casting and enjoyed exploring the possibilities with this technique in a hands-on and creative atmosphere. Emily was a wonderful teacher, and as always the studio is well maintained and inspiring. Thanks again!

— Louise, Happy Student