Weekend Wax Carving Course

Make your own ring or pendant & have it cast into sterling silver!

Our weekend wax carving class is perfect place to start if you wish to refresh and develop your skills further!

We understand how daunting it is to start something new & how easy it is to lose it, if you don’t use it. This is perfect for either beginners or those looking to learn more skills in the wax carving process. It is very much a tailor made class in that you send in drawings of what you’d like to make and we help you achieve it! 

We pride ourselves on small intimate classes, this is so that you feel comfortable in your new explorations. Our teachers can really get to know you and help and guide you through each class. 

Skills you will learn on our course

  • Building up/relief work in wax
  • Wax carving
  • Technical and sculpural work
  • Creating a gemstone setting- where the gemstone can be cast with the stone in place
  • Measuring up techniques
  • Tool preparation and modification
  • Turning a 2D design into a 3D reality

What is wax carving and how does it work

For centuries, Jewellery artisans have been sculpting their own Jewellery designs from wax!

You start by thinking about what it is you would like to create, you can bring your ideas into your first class or even email them on beforehand to get some feedback before you come in! We would recommend having an idea in mind with some images or simple sketches to articulate your idea, as this will make the most out of your class time that you have with your experienced Tutor!

You have the option to design a ring or a pendant. Once your design is clear, the Tutor will then show you, using different techniques, how to carve and file your design into the piece of wax. The wax is smoother and much nicer to work with rather than carving within the silver directly, this is why this technique is often used within the industry.

Once you’re finished carving your design, it’s then ready to be cast!!

Casting

Once we receive your carved wax ring, we send it off to a professional casting company who use an ancient process called “Lost Wax Casting” to cast your ring in silver. First a plaster mould is made of your wax, the mould is then placed in a kiln overnight to allow the wax to be burned out, finally molten silver is poured into the cavity where your wax used to be, creating an exact replica of your design! We then clean and polish your pieces so they’re ready to be worn.

Finishing Touches

Once your piece has been returned, it will need to be polished, cleaned up and your gemstone added, if you used one so it’s ready to wear!
We will have your pieces back from the casters 2 weeks later so will put a class on Saturday 15th October 10-1pm to come in and finish and polish them up!

Duration of Course

This is a weekend course:
Saturday – 10- 5:30pm with an hours lunch break ( there are plenty of yummy places nearby! )
Sunday – 10-2pm
Final finishing of cast pieces – Saturday 2 weeks later 10-1pm

Why Silver Works

Unlike traditional institutions, our priority is to help you learn & develop a new skill, not profit.

This is why we offer only 6 places within our bespoke courses, so you get the most out of each class!

You will be taught by highly experienced goldsmiths, working within the industry who has an abundance of Jewellery design experience.

How much we talking?

Our weekend carving course costs €350 ( this includes the follow up class 2 weeks later ) The silver needed to make your piece is extra, this depends on what you decide to make but is generally €15-€50.

Cancellation Policy

In order to cancel a booking, you must inform us by email at info@silverworks.ie 

Your cancellation must be confirmed as received by us on or before the relevant dates, as set out below.  All cancellations and transfers are subject to an administrative fee of 10% of the cost of the class/course.

  • If your written request is received more than 30 days before the event is due to begin, you will be entitled to a full refund of the amount paid, less the administrative fee.

  • If your written request is received within the 30 day period before the event, you will not be entitled to a refund for your place.

  • Cancellations requested after the course/event has started will not be considered.
  • Transfer to an alternative course/event should be requested in writing at least 14 days before the course start date.
  • Transfer requested less than 14 days before the event may be declined unless a replacement student can be found for your place prior to the start date.
  • If you fail to attend a course, event or class, no refund will be given, and no transfer request will be accepted.

If a class is cancelled or postponed for reasons for which we are responsible, such as staff illness, we will make every reasonable effort to reschedule the class to suit the majority of attendees, or add missed hours onto remaining classes.

Please note that all courses require a minimum number of attendees. If too few bookings are received, courses may be rescheduled.

Gift vouchers are not refundable in any circumstances.

If you cancel a course and are entitled to a refund, we will usually refund any money received using the same method originally used by you to pay for your purchase. We will process the refund due to you as soon as possible and, in any event, within 30 days of the day we received your valid notice of cancellation. 

What’s Included

We provide Tea & coffee and some chocolate

All tools and equipment, materials (wax), drills & aprons are provided for the duration of the course.

The silver needed to make your piece is extra, this depends on what you decide to make but is generally €15-€50.

Health and Safety

We ask that you wear closed shoes. You will be provided with aprons to keep your clothes clean. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to get in touch with us today at enquiries@silverworks.ie

Aileen Bulman , Aug 2021

I’ve recently completed a five-week wax carving course here and loved every minute of it. Isis, the tutor, was very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful in every way she could and made the class fun and educational at the same time. I completed a ring and a pendant in the five weeks. From booking, attending and completing the course everyone was helpful and friendly. I’d thoroughly recommend Silver Works to anyone thinking of tapping into their creative side!

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