Introduction To Casting Jewelry | January 23-24

Schedule: Day 1 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

                  Day 2 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

 Class Overview:

This workshop is a hands on dive into the world of lost wax casting jewelry! On Day 1 you’ll design and carve 2 of your own wax rings or charms (no gemstones) while we cover casting fundamentals, safety, troubleshooting and proper sprue placement. You may also bring a small organic item to cast in leu of your second wax carving to add a bail to and cast as a little charm. Think a tiny dried bug, a small pasta shell, twig, etc. The item must be dry and no thinner than .7mm. 

We’ll attach the sprue and watch as your piece is invested at the end of the day. Burnout of the flasks start at 5 am, so on Day 2 we’ll reconvene at 1 pm to discuss how to properly calculate the metal needed, cast your ring on your own (with my guidance of course), and walk through the finishing process. By the end of the class, you’ll have designed, carved, cast and polished your piece.

In this two day workshop, you’ll master every step,  from pouring molten sterling silver to sanding and polishing your finished ring, all with direct guidance in a max 4 student class. 

What We’ll Cover:

Day 1: Carving & Preparations 

• Overview of the lost wax casting process, materials and safety. 

• Demonstration of basic wax carving tools; design and carve your own ring with guidance (no gemstones). 

• Discussion of investment, burn out schedules, casting temperatures, troubleshooting and sprue fundamentals. 

• Attach your sprue, learn dos and don’ts of placement, and watch your rings being invested before leaving for the day.

Day 2: Casting & Finishing 

• Discussion of metal melting temperatures and how they relate to casting success. 

• Live casting session at 1:20 pm: melt your metal and pour into the prepared flasks. 

• Learn how to cut off sprues, clean and pickle castings, and troubleshoot common casting issues. 

• Demonstration of how to remove your spru, sand and polishing.

Included Materials:

• Wax, carving tools, sprue material and investment. 

• Up to 20g of sterling silver for casting your item.

• Safety equipment.

You’ll Leave With:

• A solid understanding of the lost wax casting process from start to finish. 

• Experience designing and carving your own wax ring or charm and properly attaching a sprue for casting. 

• Knowledge of burn out schedules, casting temperatures, metal melting, pouring and troubleshooting. 

• 2 sterling silver rings or charms you made (up to 20g) cast during class.

Open to all levels (must be 16 and up due to sharp tools and hot metal). This class is perfect for beginners with little to no jewelry or wax work experience who want a comprehensive introduction to casting.