In this four-day jewellery making workshop students will be introduced to carving waxes to make stone-set jewellery.
On days one and two students will have the opportunity to make a ring, pendant or earrings with a bezel setting in wax that will be professionally cast in time for the second week of the workshop. Making settings for rough-cut stones will also be explored during days one and two of the workshop.
On days three and four students will learn how to clean up their cast pieces, prepare them for setting, and how to set their stones. Students will also have the opportunity to solder onto their castings to attach claws or extra bezels, particularly if they are working with rough-cut stones.
This jewellery making workshop is designed to provide students who have attended the ‘Carve Your own Silver Ring- Wax Workshop’ at SquarePeg Studios with greater skills, enabling them to make a unique piece of stone set jewellery – created by their own hand!
For those with confidence in the basics.
Such a great course and a brilliant teacher. Learnt so much in three days and had so much fun doing it. Di is inspirational, helpful and encouraging - exactly what you want in a teacher.
The Wax Carving for Jewels – Stone Setting Workshop is an intensive four-day jewellery making course during which students will learn about the process of making waxes for stone settings. Students will make a wax for a bezel-set ring, pendant or earrings (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.
Students will learn to how to measure, mark up and make a carved wax ring, pendant or pair of earrings incorporating a gemstone. 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, alongside learning how to set stones. The techniques learned here are ones that can be used at home to make wax models for jewellery.
We take the waxes to our professional cast house to be cast and you can choose from a variety of metals for your work to be fabricated from (for example – sterling silver).
The cost of your piece depends on its 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 how weighty the design is, and what metal is selected.
All wax materials for experimentation and for the wax ring, pendant or earring design
One semi-precious cabochon cut stone
The use of all tools and consumables
A selection of teas, coffee and delish biscuits for morning and afternoon tea
We take your wax rings to be cast in time for the second set of classes
We weigh your pieces and let you know an approximate price for each piece. This is calculated reliant on the cost of the metal selected for the casting of your piece
Students may wish to bring their own stones for discussion or use in their project – but please TAKE NOTE! – no fragile stones such as opals can be used. If in doubt of the suitability of the stone you wish to incorporate in your design, please get in touch with us at SquarePeg Studios for clarification.
A notebook and pen/pencil
Covered shoes
Cash for the cost of the casting of your work – payable on the second weekend of the course (usually $20 – $70 per piece dependent on the metal selected and weight of the work)
Your ideas and creativity!
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.
Diane Appleby completed her Master of Art in Gold and Silversmithing at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in 2003. She has taught in the Jewellery and Object Design Department, Sydney Institute of Technology, Design Centre Enmore, and at the College of Fine Art, University of NSW. Diane’s catalogue of work encompasses collections for exhibition and collaborations with clients on individual pieces. “My jewellery is designed to not only catch the eye, but to also feel delightful to wear. I like to play with colour, form and texture. I choose materials for their unique character, such as stones for their luminosity, metals to encapsulate strength, and silks for their sheen and rippling texture. I enjoy creating pieces with a precious presence. “At the heart of every design is an inspiration, whether I am creating a collection for an exhibition or working with a client to create a uniquely personal piece. I find the satisfaction of bringing a concept to life from a few simple sketches to a finished form extremely exciting.”
Excellent workshop! Diane is one of the world's best tutors who manages to guide every participant to produce their best. Sharing and learning from others is another strength of these intensive workshops which opens everyone up to new possibilities.
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