About

BARN member: $117
Non-member: $140

Saturday, August 27 from 10 am to 4 pm &
Sunday, August 28 from 10 am to 3 pm

Material fee: $20 (payable in class)

Learn the basics of wax carving models for jewelry in this two-session class. There are several waxes and tools that are used create amazing models for the lost wax casting process. The art of wax model making is an import skill to learn for successful jewelry that is to be cast in silver, gold, brass, or bronze. Participants will learn with several waxes and use tools necessary to create these models. Demonstrations will include how to chose and use tools and waxes that are the best for you design, carving and building of the design in waxes, and creating stone setting for the wax models. The completed wax designs can be sent to a professional caster to cast the waxes into metal. The metal can then be finished, polished and set stones in another class. Students can create a simple wax model(s) for a pendant and ring with a stone setting.

Students will be provided with tools and waxes to work with. But they are welcome to bring any small carving tools, such as, Exacto-knife, linoleum cutting tools, dental tools, or polymer clay tools the might have. Helpful tools can also include bamboo skewers, wooden dowels, q-tips, panty hose material, velvet or denim swatch, lighter fluid, course files, sand paper. Small water tight containers are great for transporting waxes.

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse is a jewelry maker and sculptor living and working in Seattle. She has been teaching Metalsmithing and casting since 1992. She developed the Metalsmithing program at Savannah College of Art and Design, taught at the Vermont Art Exchange, and currently teaches in the Seattle area.