Suitable for the absolute beginner or intermediate jeweller who hasn’t ventured into wax work. This comprehensive workshop is spread over two sessions where you will learn how to carve wax and manipulate soft wax to create rings and other jewellery items. Participants will be shown a variety of demonstrations and will be able to explore their own design with new techniques.

When: Saturday 10:30am – 3:30pm & 10:30 - 1:30pm
Duration: 8 hours
Class size: Maximum 7 people
Cost: $450

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As part of Joynton & 107 Projects, The Bench will provide subsidised courses to residents in the Zetland, Sydney area. For further information please email us at jewellery@thebench.sydney

ABOUT THE COURSE

Prerequisite

Suitable for the absolute beginner or intermediate jeweller who hasn’t ventured into wax work.

Course Objectives

You will have plenty of time to work on your own models for casting and lots of tips and tricks will be covered along the way.

Design and manufacture - Understand how to design, prototype and manufacture wax models for reproduction

Basic methods of model production - Carving, building up or a combination of both

Techniques in wax - Organic and irregular shapes, Interesting textures, spontaneous shapes and surface effects or Intricate carved patterns.

Methods of clean-up procedures - You will acquire knowledge of how to remove casting sprues and professionally polish your finished design.

Course Outcomes

This course begins with short, structured technical exercises and then fabricating, decorating and joining will be demonstrated. You will learn the basic skills needed to create your own carved wax ring. You may find that there is time to create your own simple design using your new skills. Everyone should complete at least one piece of jewellery.

Discussion between tutor and the students as a group and as individuals will take place, to guide you to improve your skills.

What’s Included

A materials pack is supplied for your project.
A selection of materials will be available to buy from your tutor at cost price.
All materials, resource notes, enough silver for a ring, and one casting fee are included in the cost of the workshop. Additional pieces will incur a fee.

Casting costs are priced as follows:
+ cost of model
+ cast fees
+ GST
Your tutor will assist you in your costing calculations. (Non tarnish silver is currently $2.10 per gram - June 2021)

The Tutor: Erin Pearce

Erin Pearce is an award-winning Jeweller, who began her career almost 20 years ago with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Practicing across multiple artistic disciplines allowed her the opportunity to pursue an increasing motivation to explore concepts through jewellery making. Erin expanded her skills through a number of roles and jewellery courses within the industry, before undertaking an apprenticeship in Jewellery Manufacture.

In 2020 Erin formally launched her own jewellery manufacturing business, Mill Foundry, with a personal focus on further exploration of technique and a desire to learn through every piece she creates. Her work is influenced by mid-century modern design and a constant consideration of the placement of both herself, and her work, between the worlds of Contemporary Art and traditional jewellery manufacturing.

The Workshop

The Bench is a modern, light filled, industry standard workshop focusing on education and training. It is a relaxed and friendly place to learn traditional and contemporary jewellery techniques, a space to develop ideas and projects such as ring making, silver jewellery and stone setting gems. We provide concept based jewellery classes to the absolute beginner, the aspiring maker and to the professional jeweller.

The Bench is a safe working and learning environment, complete with a wide inventory of tools and equipment, such as Vaniman polishing extraction, enamelling kiln, fume cabinets, micromotors, soldering torches, rolling mill, tumbler, ultrasonic and more.

Location

The Bench acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of our land – Australia. The Bench acknowledges the Gadigal of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of this place we now call Sydney.

The Bench is located at the exquisite historic site, Joynton Avenue Creative Centre in Green Square, and is easily accessed by bus, train (Green Square Station), ride or walk.

The Bench cultivates inclusive, creative and accessible spaces for everyone to have the opportunity to feel safe and welcomed.

The building has full wheelchair accessibility, ramp access from street and park entrances, internal lift for access to upper levels and a unisex accessible toilet on each level.

THE BENCH, Joynton Avenue Creative Centre
3A Joynton Ave, Zetland NSW 2017

Additional notes

All the tools, materials and consumables you need for the course will be available at the venue; including an apron. You may want to buy further materials from our metal suppliers – your tutor will provide you with supplier information.

For health and safety reasons, please bring along with you the following

Hair tie: If you have long hair, please bring along something to tie it back with
Closed in shoes: We will be working with hot, sharp and heavy tools, so please wear shoes, which will protect your feet. Avoid wearing loose flowing garments.
Sketch book/note book/ pen and/or pencil: Please bring along a notebook for your own notes and design ideas. Notes will be provided to complement the techniques you will be learning but you may wish to make your own notes.
Remember: If you use glasses for reading and /or close up work please remember to bring them along.

Book your course

Questions?

Email us at: jewellery@thebench.sydney
or call us on: 0406 794 112