Carve, model and experiment with wax to create your own unique jewellery designs. Learn about the lost wax casting process, outsourcing and finishing of your casts.
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
This course will introduce you to the exciting possibilities of wax carving for jewellery and to a range of tools and techniques. Carve, model and experiment with wax to create your own unique jewellery designs. Learn about the lost wax casting process, outsourcing and finishing of your casts.
What will we cover?
The course will begin with an introduction to the workshop facilities and the safe use of the equipment. Your tutor will introduce you to carving tools and demonstrate a series of wax carving techniques. You will be encouraged to develop your ideas and designs, exploring the possibilites through drawing and working directly on the wax by sawing, filing and refining your design. You will have the option of casting your carvings off-site after the third week and returning them in the final session for cleaning and polishing. This will be demonstrated but final finishing will depend on the speed at which you are able to work. Please note that you will need to pay for your castings at the off-site caster and turn-around times for castings are reliant on casting company schedules.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
- identify the possibilities of wax carving - produce a set of samples - develop a suitable design - carve your design in wax - explain the processes involved to finish your piece - apply finishes to your own design.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for beginners or as a refresher for those who would like to learn essential techniques and usage of tools invovled in wax carving. You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safetly information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and apply simple measurements and calculations.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Through demonstration, advice and guidance, photographic examples of jewellery and technical notes, as appropriate.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
General tools and equipment will be supplied. Basic wax carving materials are covered by the course fee, except where larger items are being made, in which case you may need to purchase additional wax. The tutor will advise you on this.
You are advised that sensible footwear must be worn in the studio. For heath and safety reasons no sandals, open shoes or small pumps can be worn, even in hot weather.
You will need to pay for the casting(s), the cost of which will depend on the amount of carvings produced and their metal weight.
It is advisable to bring a sketchbook and drawing materials to the first class.
If you already have an apron and safety glasses, please bring them along.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
City Lit offer a wide range of short and year-long courses in Jewellery design and making, from beginners to advanced, and for professional development.
Suitable follow-on courses may include:
VV835 Jewellery making: all levels VV351 Emerging jewellers' workshop VV862 Develop your jewellery design and making
Your tutor will be able to advise you on your course.
Sally Lees is a practicing jewellery specialising in enamelling. She has been teaching jewellery making for over 20 years and is based at Cockpit Arts in London. She is an experienced jeweller and metal worker and was commissioned by The Houses of Parliament in 2016 to create a collection of jewellery to celebrate women’s suffrage. Sally has worked extensively with aluminium and silver over the years and received a grant from The Arts Council in 2020 to revitalise her practice by building on her enamelling and engraving skills. She has exhibited at both national and international shows including the New York Gift Fair and International Jewellery London and her work has been exhibited in contemporary craft shops and galleries and on the Crafts Council and The Goldsmiths’ directory and in the following publications: 'Colours & Textures in Jewellery'; 'Coloured Aluminium Jewellery' 'Anodized! Brilliant Colours and Bold designs'. Sally teaches a variety of different jewellery making skills from enamelling to silver clay.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/jewellery-wax-carving2377600Jewellery: wax carvinghttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/v/vv915-jewellery-keum-boo-workshop-1080.jpg429429GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Art & design/Courses/Art & design/Jewellery design & making/Courses/Art & design/Jewellery design & making/Metal & silversmithing22851132195819771228511321958Carve, model and experiment with wax to create your own unique jewellery designs. Learn about the lost wax casting process, outsourcing and finishing of your casts.00https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/v/vv915-jewellery-wax-carving-1024.jpg3030379Jewellery: wax carving429429https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/w/a/wax_carving_bench_2.jpgInStockDaytimeThuKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-11-05T00:00:00+00:00BeginnersNov 2026Art & designVV915429429Jewellery: wax carving343279429Sally Leesjewellery-wax-carving/vv915-2627Carve, model and experiment with wax to create your own unique jewellery designs. Learn about the lost wax casting process, outsourcing and finishing of your casts.0000-Available|2026-11-05 00:00:00<div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">This course will introduce you to the exciting possibilities of wax carving for jewellery and to a range of tools and techniques. Carve, model and experiment with wax to create your own unique jewellery designs. Learn about the lost wax casting process, outsourcing and finishing of your casts.</div>Carve, model and experiment with wax to create your own unique jewellery designs. Learn about the lost wax casting process, outsourcing and finishing of your casts.The course will begin with an introduction to the workshop facilities and the safe use of the equipment. Your tutor will introduce you to carving tools and demonstrate a series of wax carving techniques. You will be encouraged to develop your ideas and designs, exploring the possibilites through drawing and working directly on the wax by sawing, filing and refining your design. You will have the option of casting your carvings off-site after the third week and returning them in the final session for cleaning and polishing. This will be demonstrated but final finishing will depend on the speed at which you are able to work. Please note that you will need to pay for your castings at the off-site caster and turn-around times for castings are reliant on casting company schedules.- identify the possibilities of wax carving<br>- produce a set of samples <br>- develop a suitable design <br>- carve your design in wax<br>- explain the processes involved to finish your piece<br>- apply finishes to your own design.This course is suitable for beginners or as a refresher for those who would like to learn essential techniques and usage of tools invovled in wax carving. <br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safetly information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and apply simple measurements and calculations.Through demonstration, advice and guidance, photographic examples of jewellery and technical notes, as appropriate.General tools and equipment will be supplied. Basic wax carving materials are covered by the course fee, except where larger items are being made, in which case you may need to purchase additional wax. The tutor will advise you on this. <br><br>You are advised that sensible footwear must be worn in the studio. For heath and safety reasons no sandals, open shoes or small pumps can be worn, even in hot weather.<br><br>You will need to pay for the casting(s), the cost of which will depend on the amount of carvings produced and their metal weight. <br><br>It is advisable to bring a sketchbook and drawing materials to the first class.<br><br>If you already have an apron and safety glasses, please bring them along.<p>City Lit offer a wide range of short and year-long courses in Jewellery design and making, from beginners to advanced, and for professional development.<br><br>Suitable follow-on courses may include:<br><br>VV835 Jewellery making: all levels<br>VV351 Emerging jewellers' workshop<br>VV862 Develop your jewellery design and making<br><br><br><br>Your tutor will be able to advise you on your course.</p>Jewellery design & makingMetal & silversmithingvirtual343429279VV915NONEThu05/11/26 - 10/12/2610:30 - 16:3010:3016:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayKSKeeley StreetSally LeesBeginnersAvailable courses2026-11-05T00:00:00+00:00DaytimeNov 2026Art & design429429Jewellery: wax carvingjewellery-wax-carving/vv915-2627Carve, model and experiment with wax to create your own unique jewellery designs. Learn about the lost wax casting process, outsourcing and finishing of your casts.0000-Available|2026-11-05 00:00:00<div data-content-type="html" data-appearance="default" data-element="main">This course will introduce you to the exciting possibilities of wax carving for jewellery and to a range of tools and techniques. Carve, model and experiment with wax to create your own unique jewellery designs. Learn about the lost wax casting process, outsourcing and finishing of your casts.</div>Carve, model and experiment with wax to create your own unique jewellery designs. Learn about the lost wax casting process, outsourcing and finishing of your casts.The course will begin with an introduction to the workshop facilities and the safe use of the equipment. Your tutor will introduce you to carving tools and demonstrate a series of wax carving techniques. You will be encouraged to develop your ideas and designs, exploring the possibilites through drawing and working directly on the wax by sawing, filing and refining your design. You will have the option of casting your carvings off-site after the third week and returning them in the final session for cleaning and polishing. This will be demonstrated but final finishing will depend on the speed at which you are able to work. Please note that you will need to pay for your castings at the off-site caster and turn-around times for castings are reliant on casting company schedules.- identify the possibilities of wax carving<br>- produce a set of samples <br>- develop a suitable design <br>- carve your design in wax<br>- explain the processes involved to finish your piece<br>- apply finishes to your own design.This course is suitable for beginners or as a refresher for those who would like to learn essential techniques and usage of tools invovled in wax carving. <br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safetly information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and apply simple measurements and calculations.Through demonstration, advice and guidance, photographic examples of jewellery and technical notes, as appropriate.General tools and equipment will be supplied. Basic wax carving materials are covered by the course fee, except where larger items are being made, in which case you may need to purchase additional wax. The tutor will advise you on this. <br><br>You are advised that sensible footwear must be worn in the studio. For heath and safety reasons no sandals, open shoes or small pumps can be worn, even in hot weather.<br><br>You will need to pay for the casting(s), the cost of which will depend on the amount of carvings produced and their metal weight. <br><br>It is advisable to bring a sketchbook and drawing materials to the first class.<br><br>If you already have an apron and safety glasses, please bring them along.<p>City Lit offer a wide range of short and year-long courses in Jewellery design and making, from beginners to advanced, and for professional development.<br><br>Suitable follow-on courses may include:<br><br>VV835&nbsp; Jewellery making: all levels<br>VV351&nbsp; Emerging jewellers' workshop<br>VV862 Develop your jewellery design and making<br><br><br><br>Your tutor will be able to advise you on your course.</p>Jewellery design & makingMetal & silversmithingconfigurable
