Jewellery Making 4-Day Course: Wax Carving and Metal Polishing

Carving wax is a wonderful technique for creating jewellery. Intricate details can be created in wax that you can’t achieve in metal. We use special jeweller’s wax to make what are essentially mini-sculptures, using additive and/or subtractive techniques. This means either building up wax, or carving and filing away at it to reveal a design. Wax is extremely forgiving & versatile and can be used to make rings, pendants, bracelets, earrings or any other small objects.This course is made up of 4 individual sessions. Two days will be spent working with wax and two days will be spent finishing our cast pieces in metal, potentially with some gemstone setting.The course will cover:

• How to carve detailed designs of your choice in jewellers wax; you will also learn about many different waxes, their properties and their benefits.
• Using various tools for wax carving
• How to refine and polish your wax carvings
• How to apply wax with a heat pen/iron
• How to fix broken parts or cracks
• How to sprue you own waxes
• All aspects of preparing wax pieces for casting- considering shape, weight and placement of sprues
• Calculating weight conversions from wax to metals and how to forecast costs of casting
• Setting stones into hard wax and creating settings using a wax heat pen and sheet wax
• Learning about the materials and tools required for different levels of polishing and how to use them
• Sawing off sprues
• How to use a micro-motor and flex shaft and the many burs and attachments
• Other basic equipment used for polishing and cleaning like: tumbler, ultrasonic machines
• We will lightly touch on stone setting and the tools required

We will also discuss the different options for making moulds to create multiples of your pieces. Rich textural surfaces and fluid, curving shapes can be created in wax material that can then be cast into a variety of metals to create a finished product. This class will explore a wide range of sculptural shapes, surface textures, and hollow forms.Basic knowledge of the casting process will be covered – during the course students will have the opportunity to have cast at least one of their pieces in metal, and learn how to bring the cast piece to a desired finish.Class size limited to 4 people.If you're interested in learning about wax carving but would like to start with a taster, check out my Ring Making or Pendant Making workshop!ADDITIONAL FEES:[[ Please read carefully before booking ]]The workshop includes the casting cost of one item but not the metal. The cost of metal (ie: silver or gold) will be determined by the weight of your item. This ensures you are only paying for the amount required and no more.The casting fee for additional pieces is £12 + the cost of metal.If you would like to have your piece plated in 22ct gold after the workshop the fee is £45.CASTING IN SOLID GOLD - You can choose to upgrade your ring to recycled gold in 9, 14 or 18 carats. We will weigh the wax model to determine the cost of gold, and there is an additional £20 added to the casting fee. Hallmarking at the London Assay Office is £25Gemstones and settings - from £20I have over 60 different gemstones to choose from and they vary by shape, size, colour and type.We hold a lot of sentiment in the jewellery we wear. It has the power to transport us, to bring back memories of loved ones and experiences. Hand-making a special heirloom only amplifies this. You can use this time to make the perfect present for a loved one or make a special ring to celebrate yourself. By the end of the 4-week course, you will have created:

• At least one finished ring or pendant in the metal of your choice. *The cost of metal is not included and will be determined by the weight.
• The casting of 1 ring or pendant, additional pieces may be cast for a small fee.
• All tools, equipment and materials: jeweller's wax, wax files, a selection of carving tools, access to pendant motor and burs, sandpaper and sanding sticks, jeweller's saws, metal files, polishing materials, and safety thimbles for your fingers
• Step-by-step wax carving/metal finishing tutorials and one-on-one assistance
• A complete list of trade references and supplier resources to provide the new student with a full introduction to the jewellery industry

Read more details