Ancient Techniques
Sand Casting for Jewellery
Using the ancient silversmithing process of sand casting, you will learn how to produce small scale jewellery and objects with precious metal & take home a personalized, ready-to-wear sterling silver jewellery.
Sand Casting uses a special type of sand that has a clay-like consistency to create a mould into which molten metal is poured. This is a fast and easy way to create your own items from non-precious materials such as metal, wax, wood, or plastic models.
This class offers a detailed approach to learning the fundamentals of sand-casting & will provide you with confidence to cast at home or, in your own studio.
We know you’re going to enjoy this exciting class and leave with something uniquely yours!
When: Tuesday 6:30pm - 9:30pm
Duration: 6 Weeks (18 hours)
Class size: Maximum 8 people
Cost: $795 (Materials included)
ABOUT THE COURSE
Prerequisite
All students are required to know how to use a jeweller’s torch and tools E.g. a jeweller’s saw.
We recommend completing Learn to Make Jewellery Stage One - An Introduction or equivalent.
Course Objectives
You will be guided through the following techniques:
Create a mould - by placing a pattern in sand and incorporating a gating system.
Gate and vent - preparations to get the best metal flow during the pour.
Pour molten metal - into the mould cavity through the gating system.
How to best select "master objects" - skills to build a pattern of the object to be produced, using wood, metal, or a plastic such as expanded polystyrene.
Cast a Variety of Objects - Use found natural objects, custom moulds, or create your own silver rings.
Types of pattern and materials - like polymer clay, Perspex, and found objects which can be used to make them.
Limitations of the pattern - and what to avoid in the design or selection of a pattern
Calculating specific formula - to find the casting weight of non-conventional materials and how much metal will be needed.
Cast in Place - How to add a sparkling touch by setting stones directly in the casting process.
Work Sustainably - Utilize recycled silver offcuts or fresh casting granules for your creations.
Twice Cast Mixed Metals - How to sand cast using mixed metals.
Advantages & disadvantages - applications of sand-casting.
Learn the problems - with gravity casting and how to overcome them.
Methods used - to reduce porosity and turbulence on pouring the metal
Discuss - the pouring gate and gas vents and their optimal size and positioning
Season a crucible - tempering a crucible to preserve the integrity of the vessel & keep the melting metal from adhering to the surface.
Finishing Techniques - Discover new ways to hold work and create finishes while preserving the original look and texture of your ‘model’.
Course Outcomes
Students can expect to learn the fundamentals of sand casting and understand what an extremely useful, rapid, and versatile studio practice the sand-casting technique can be! Students will be able to demonstrate and discuss the sand-casting process, identify the limitations of the sand-casting process, discover how sand-cast materials can have defects and small voids that are not visible on the surface and be able to determine how properties of a metal can be altered through the casting process.
With guidance you will make a ring with or without gemstones cast in place, a pendant / flat object with or without gemstones & you may have the freedom to create additional pieces. We have an assortment of ‘models’ for you to select from however, you may bring in items you already have.
The list of items you can use to create moulds in the sand is almost endless - small hard objects such as a shell, coffee bean, Lego, twigs, acorns, buttons, small toys, beads, wax carvings and more.
You can create a reproduction of the item used to create the mould, or adapt it by reshaping, adding textures or adding stones.
Discussion between tutor and the students as a group and as individuals will take place each week, to guide you to improve your skills.
What’s Included
MATERIALS KIT - VALUE $115
30 grams Sterling Silver casting granules (May make up to 3 objects)
300 grams Delft clay
Studio equipment
PPE mask
Aluminium casting flask (to be returned - although you may purchase in class)
Consumables
Extensive course notes
Personalised instruction
The course is conducted in an unhurried supportive happy and friendly environment.
We provide a choice of pre-made rings for you to use as your first sand cast item (these are returned). If you wish to bring in your own carved wax, metal model or non-precious item such as a shell, you must contact Erin Keys immediately after you have enrolled.
What’s NOT Included
High temperature resistant stones - semi precious & NANO
If you wish to cast in place, we suggest you start with the recommended Nano stones (which may be purchased in class) before using authentic gemstones. However, gemstones 7.5 or higher on the Mohs hardness scale should be suitable for the cast-in-place process but no larger than 3mm diameter. The suitability of these materials will be discussed with your tutor.
A selection of additional materials (metal, stones & Delft clay) will be available to buy in addition to what is provided from your tutor.
If you wish to bring in your own model you will need to contact The Bench no less than 14 days before the course start date for this to be approved.
If you wish to bring in your own carved wax or non-precious item such as a shell, you must contact Erin Keys immediately after you have enrolled.
If you wish to bring your own flask and Delft* sand, you may. (Please note - you will not be allowed to use Petrobond Delft Style - thank you).
If you wish to bring additional metal for casting such as your Lemel, you will need to contact The Bench no less than 7 days before the course start date for this to be approved - Bringing your own Lemel and scraps will not affect nor change the course fee.
If you wish to create a piece using the Twice-Cast method, confirmation of your additional granule order MUST BE completed by end of class week 3. Available casting granules for purchase at The Bench will be Pink & Yellow gold (14k or 22k). Estimated cost to be discussed with tutor, final amount will be based on price of metal at time of purchase order.
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 Bench workshop
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.
Joynton Avenue Creative Centre in Green Square
Joynton Avenue Creative Centre in Green Square
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
Please be aware that we are a very small operation. Voicemails are listened to once a week on a Wednesday. We understand that you may prefer to talk with a real live human, and we are very happy to speak with you too. However, we politely ask that you schedule a suitable time. Instead of leaving a voicemail, we recommend sending a brief audio text or text message with your enquiry. We are very prompt when replying to a text message or email.
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
Sand casting can be messy so please don't wear your best clothes!
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.
Please read our Terms & Conditions and Refund and Cancellation Policy carefully prior to enrolling.
Book your course
Questions?
Contact The Bench