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 ring.

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: Monday 6:30pm – 9:30pm
Duration: 4 Weeks (12 hours)
Class size: Maximum 8 people
Cost: $595

BOOK NOW

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

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.

Calculating specific formula - to find the casting weight of non-conventional materials and how much metal will be needed.

Advantages & disadvantages - applications of sand-casting.

Season a crucible - tempering a crucible to preserve the integrity of the vessel & keep the melting metal from adhering to the surface.

Course Outcomes

Students can expect to learn the basics of 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.

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

A materials pack is supplied which includes:
30 grams Sterling Silver casting granules
A selection of high temperature resistant stones.
PPE mask
Extensive course notes
Personalised instruction
We provide your first model to mould & cast - these are returned at the end of course. 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.

There will be a kit available for purchase that includes silver casting grain and Delft sand. Please let us know if you wish to purchase.

We provide a choice of catalogue ordered 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. A selection of materials will be available to buy from your tutor at cost price.

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

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

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