Cast rings by Elissa Steinert

Level: All Skill Levels
Requirements: None
Program: Spring
Status: Open
Length: 8 Sessions
Tuition: $ 425
Only $ 403.75 for registration before 12 March 2012
Materials: $ 65
Date: April 12, 2012 - June 07, 2012
Time: Every Thursday at 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Location: Metalwerx

Casting and wax working techniques can save you time and add new dimension to your artwork. Making wax models allows you create complex curves, surfaces, and textures that would be difficult and time consuming to execute in sheet metal.

Students will see wax models transformed to fully finished, one-of-a-kind pieces of silver and bronze jewelry. Skills taught include how to carve and create wax models using an alcohol lamp and simple hand tools as well as motorized flex shaft attachments. Once models are ready to cast, students will learn to sprue and invest finished wax pieces, in addition to being taught kiln burnout techniques, how to pour molten metal, and finishing methods to complete their projects. Casting methods will consist of demonstration of organic casting (cuttlebone, broom, and water casting) and the lost wax casting process. Time permitting students will be able to investigate organic casting methods.

Wax working can easily be done in the comfort of your own home of small home studio setting. We will briefly discuss contract casting because of this. Mold-making will also be discussed if time permits.

This class is 8 sessions long. Each session is 3 hours. There will be no class on April 19. If a make-up class is necessary, it will be held on June 14.

Materials & Tools

The $65 materials fee, payable when signing up, includes 1 oz of sterling silver casting grain, bronze casting grain, wax, cuttlefish bone, and other various supplies needed for the casting process.

Students Can Bring:

Please note: Metalwerx has many of these items available for use during class but students may have to share. If you wish to bring your own, you are welcome to.

• X-acto Knife
• Old Nylons (not ones you are planning to wear again)
• Old Toothbrush (not to be re-used)
• dental tools (If you have any)
• Wood Rasp (available at Home Depot $6 - 8)
• Needle files for wax working only. Do not use the same files you use on metal.
• Sanding Sponge (available at Home Depot; 220 or 320 grit)
• Multiple grits of sandpaper for casting clean-up (320, 400, 600)
• 1 straight razor with a holder (like a paint scraper type holder)