Jewellery And Wax Carving Short Course
Course description
Course overview
This course gives an exciting and in-depth introduction to the art of wax carving for jewellery. You will learn about the process of lost wax casting, creating models with specialist wax products which are then transformed into silver in the Jewellery Department's on-site casting facility. You will also create your own one-off designs which will be realised as unique finished pieces of silver jewellery.
This is a practical course focusing on the carving of wax to create jewellery forms. There is one set project to complete, in which you will learn the basic techniques and tools required to work with jewellers' wax, before you are encouraged to produce your own designs. Additional techniques and tailored advice are delivered throughout the course.
Students typically produce 3-5 pieces of finished silver jewellery, often rings. You will benefit from bringing ideas and visual inspiration to the classes to help you create jewellery designs.
Who this course is for
This course is suitable for anyone aged 18 and older, who wants to know how to create silver jewellery using the lost wax casting process. No prior knowledge of jewellery-making is required, but this course also makes a great follow-on from the Jewellery Making for Beginners Short Course as you will be working in a different context and learning new skills, whilst building on your understanding of the range of outcomes possible with metal. Intermediate jewellery-makers will also find plenty of value in this course, as the experienced staff can offer insights into the best way to translate design ideas into successful cast jewellery pieces.
Key information
Topics covered
- Introduction to the lost wax casting process
- Different types of wax
- Technical exercise: signet ring
- Low-relief designs
- Translating and transferring designs to wax forms
- Heating wax to make repairs and texture
- Preparing waxes before casting: surface finishes, hollowing out
- Cleaning up silver castings: polishing and patination
Learning outcomes
- Understand the different types of jewellers' wax and their differing properties
- Be able to identify the correct tools for the task
- Learn to translate ideas into designs
- Carve a symmetrical ring in wax
- Learn how to create texture and carved fine detail in wax
- Gain an understanding of the casting process and how to achieve successful results
- Learn how to repair and add to waxes using heated tools
- Ensure that waxes are a suitable weight before casting Learn how to finish silver castings to a high standard
- Receive tips and tricks from an experienced jeweller
- Learn the correct terminology for jewellery tools, materials and processes
- Understand what is required to continue wax carving in a home studio
- Digital badge and certificate of attendance
Materials
- Apron
- Sketchbook
- Pencils
- Eraser
- Sensible footwear to protect your feet (no 'open toe' sandals
- Hair band (if you have long hair)
Tutor
Paul Wells
Paul Wells is an award-winning and internationally recognised silversmith and jeweller, renowned for his use of direct metalworking techniques such as forging and milling, and who makes creative use of organic forms. He has developed a method of creating curved scores which can be used to fold sheet metal, as described in his book New Jewellery Techniques: Curved Scoring and Folding for Metalwork and Silversmithing (Hoaki, 2022). He teaches on the BA Jewellery course at Central Saint Martins and is a regular UAL Short Course tutor for Jewellery Making.
Website: www.scorefoldpress.com
Book a course
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