Jewellery: Further Adventures in Wax Carving Tuesday Evening

About this course

Participants extend their wax-carving skills through a choice of set projects or guidance on an individual design. The course covers transferring designs to wax, selecting and adapting tools, working with different waxes, heat-forming and carving three-dimensional forms, and repairing or altering carvings. Demonstrations are given to the group and to individuals where appropriate. Participants also learn to smooth and prepare a carving for casting, then finish the resulting jewellery piece by cleaning and polishing it.

What you'll learn

• Apply cutting, carving and heat-forming techniques to wax
• Transfer designs onto wax and develop three-dimensional jewellery forms
• Adapt or repair wax carvings and prepare their surfaces for casting
• Finish, clean and polish a cast jewellery piece
• Explain the main stages of wax carving and casting

Is this course right for you?

The course is intended for improvers who already have experience of wax carving and want to extend their skills through guided projects or individual design work. Learners should be prepared to experiment with tools and materials that may be unfamiliar or challenging.

• Previous wax-carving experience is expected
• Participants can work on a set project or bring a realistic design idea of their own
• The class includes demonstrations for the group and, where appropriate, individual guidance

Before you go

• All tools needed for the course are available in the workshop.
• An apron, fine CD black marker pen, pencil, paper or sketchbook may be helpful.
• Footwear must cover the feet; high heels and open-toed sandals are not appropriate.
• Wax pieces are cast off site. Casting costs are additional and vary according to the size of the carving, the chosen metal and the number of pieces.
• Health and safety guidance is provided. Some chemicals may be harmful during pregnancy, so pregnant learners should notify the tutor for advice on precautions.