ScatteRING is our newest workshop presented by guest tutor Kirra-lea Caynes.
Kirra-lea will share her passion for the cast-in-place method in this one-day workshop. This process involves placing stones inside a mould, then pouring molten metal into it, allowing it to form around and securely encapsulate the stone, setting it in place.
Over 7 hours, you will be guided through designing and sand-casting a sterling silver ring and pendant with cast-in-place faceted stones.
Kirra-lea leads several one-day workshops at SquarePeg Studios designed to cater to novices with no previous jewellery experience and more experienced jewellers interested in adding to their skills.
At A Glance
- $480 inc GST
- Materials Included | Pay in Instalments Available
- 9 am - 4 pm | 2024 Dates announced soon!
Kirra-Lea is such an engaging and expert teacher - I was thrilled to produce so many pieces of sand cast jewellery with cast in place stones. Square Peg Studios is well set up and easy to use, lots of space for the teacher to circulate and demonstrate and excellent equipment and facilities. Will come back for another workshop - especially by Kirra-Lea!
Caroline M. March 2023ABOUT THE COURSE
In this one-day workshop, we will focus on how to cast-in-place faceted stones in the scattered style. There will be two demonstrations, scattered cast-in-place stones in a pendant form and scattered cast-in-place stones in a ring form. Students will have the project of casting in both these forms. Once both projects are complete, students can continue exploring various ways to apply the scattered stone placement.
Prepare to be delighted by the surprising and satisfying results!
Students complete the beginners’ workshop inspired, with a sense of accomplishment and with jewellery pieces of their own creation. Having completed the beginners level workshop students can return to learn more tricks and make more fabulous jewels in the UnEarthed Intermediate workshop.
What To Expect
What You Learn
Sand casting by its very nature can lead to a myriad of unexpected outcomes. You can expect to learn about the equipment, tools, materials and techniques required to create unique sand cast pieces.
Kirra-lea will share all the tips and tricks that she has learned over many years of sand casting in her own studio along with the passion that she has for this technique.
What You Make
- one ring with faceted synthetic sapphires
- one pendant with faceted synthetic sapphires
- additional piece/s of the student’s choice
- Please note students may choose to purchase natural sapphires on the day
Class Size
To ensure our students have the best learning experience this workshop is capped at 6.
Practicalities
What is Included
- 30g of sterling silver
- a variety of synthetic faceted stones, with the option of buying natural faceted sapphires.
- It is recommended to start with the provided synthetic stones in the workshop before using authentic gemstones. Natural sapphires can be purchased on the day if required.
- An extensive array of objects to mould and cast. Students can bring along their own small hard objects to cast.
- The materials provided will allow you to make up to 3 jewellery pieces. If you need more than 30g of silver, you can purchase more on the day.
- All the consumables you need to do your projects (ie saw blades, emery paper and drill bits) and all the hand tools and equipment you need.
- A selection of teas, coffee and yummy biscuits.
What to Bring
- Sand casting can be used to replicate almost any hard object and turn it into precious jewellery. Kirra-lea provides an extensive array of objects to mould and cast, but students can bring along their own small hard objects.
- Be aware that the larger the object you wish to cast, the more silver you will require – adding to the expense of the silver you use on the day.
- You can bring your own silver and/or sapphires to add a more personal touch to the experience. Any gemstone that is 7.5 or higher on the Mohs hardness scale should be suitable for the cast-in-place process.
- The suitability of these materials will be in consultation with Kirra-lea on the day.
- A notebook and pen/pencil
- An apron, please note that we are working with clay and it can get a little messy.
- Your ideas and creativity
- Lunch
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
- Enrol below – you can secure your place on the spot!
- Enrol early and take advantage of our payment by instalments option to spread the payments out over three payments.
- 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.
Is the date you would like to join sold out?
Please send us an email to register your interest and to go on a waitlist. mail@squarepegstudios.com.au
Kirra-lea’s class was a fantastic introduction to sand casting - really comprehensive demonstrations and straight into the casting. It was especially great that we were encouraged to do as much casting as we wanted in the time available, so we could maximise our practical experience. Kirra-lea is a really friendly and welcoming instructor, and very generous with advice.
Xanthe R, March 2023Our 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.
Kirra-lea Caynes
Kirra-lea is a qualified jeweller with over 10 years experience in the trade, having learnt many traditional and contemporary metal smithing techniques. She is a multi-award winning jewellery designer and manufacturer, winning competitions including The Jewellery Association of Australia Jewellery Awards and Diamond Guild Australia Design Awards. Kirra-lea recently won the colour category and the title of Jeweller of the Year in the 2019 Jewellers Association of Australia Design competition.
Based in Melbourne, Australia Kirra-lea works as the sole manufacturer and designer from her home studio. Kirra-lea is also an accomplished sand caster and specialises in cast-in-place rough sapphires. This unique skill has enabled her to travel around Australia teaching fellow jewellers and novices alike the ancient technique. All her rough sapphires are Australian mined by small family businesses and hobbyists. Kirra-lea also makes fossicking trips to Tasmania where she finds her own rough gemstones in the pristine North East rivers.
SquarePeg Studios is delighted to welcome Kirra-lea as a guest tutor for the first time in 2020.
