Jewellery: wax carving
Time: 18:00 - 21:00
Location: Keeley Street
- Course Code: VV915
- Dates: 01/11/24 - 06/12/24
- Time: 18:00 - 21:00
- Taught: Fri, Evening
- Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Aurelie Dellasanta
Course Code: VV915
Duration: 6 sessions (over 6 weeks)
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.
What is the course about?
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
VV131 - Sketchbooks for jewellers
Your tutor will be able to advise you on your course.
Aurelie is a visual artist and jewellery designer who graduated from the Royal College of Art of London in the Goldsmithing, Silversmithing, Metalwork and Jewellery department. For over 10 years, she has worked as an independent designer, and has created numerous jewellery collections highly recognized by well known galleries (Rob Koudijs, Amsterdam, Tactile, Geneva), museums (MAD of New York, Bellevue Arts Museum of Washington, MUDAC of Lausanne) and fashion websites (Boticca, Lyst). She has received awards including The Catlin Prize 2012 and the Theo Fennell Prize 2011.
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.