Education, Lost Wax Casting , Classes, Workshops and Consulting

Jewelry Casting Education Opportunities

Silver Beehive Studio (SBS) offers customizable private and small-group lessons. We work with clients to design classes or workshops to meet specific needs, including:

All classes and workshops are open to individuals aged 14 and older.

• Lost Wax Jewelry Casting Classes

• 1- and 2-Day Workshops

• Private Consulting

• Additional Educational Opportunities

Introduction to Lost Wax Jewelry Casting

Duration: 5 weeks (2 hours, one night each week)

Location: Studio in Strong, Maine

Cost: $425 — includes casting of your work

Frequency: Offered 1–2 times a year

In this studio class, students will:

• Learn basic wax fabrication and texturing skills

• Participate in casting their own jewelry

• Turn raw cast rings into polished, finished pieces

Given recent volatility in silver prices, sterling silver casting grain is no longer included in tuition — it's billed separately at current market price for whatever you use.   For reference: at the current market rate of ~$75/oz, sterling silver casting grain costs roughly $12–15 per average-sized ring (about 5–6 rings per ounce).

1-Day Waxwork + Casting Workshop

Duration: 7 hours

Designed for: Metalsmiths, artists, and craftspeople with basic jewelry finishing skills and tools

In this 1-day workshop, students will:

• Fabricate wax models by hand

• Create texture impressions and learn silicone mold-making techniques to capture and reproduce them

• Learn basic wax carving fundamentals

• Receive instructor support with specific projects and ideas

• Create multiple wax models that will be cast and mailed to you to finish at home

Outcome: A few weeks later, students receive their cast silver pieces in the mail to finish at home. 

Given recent volatility in silver prices, sterling silver casting grain is no longer included in tuition — it's billed separately at current market price for whatever you use.   For reference: at the current market rate of ~$75/oz, sterling silver casting grain costs roughly $12–15 per average-sized ring (about 5–6 rings per ounce).

2-Day Workshop: How to Make Cast Sterling Silver Rings

Duration: 14 hours (2 weekend days)

Designed for: Metalsmiths, artists, and hands-on craftspeople interested in designing and making their own jewelry

Day 1:

• Fabricate wax models by hand

• Create texture impressions and learn silicone mold-making techniques to capture and reproduce them

• Learn basic wax carving fundamentals

• Receive instructor support with specific projects and ideas

Day 2:

• Learn finishing techniques: remove sprue connections, file, sand, finish, and polish pieces from Day 1

Outcome: Students create multiple silver rings and will wear home some — if not all — of their finished silver pieces. 

Given recent volatility in silver prices, sterling silver casting grain is no longer included in tuition — it's billed separately at current market price for whatever you use.   For reference: at the current market rate of ~$75/oz, sterling silver casting grain costs roughly $12–15 per average-sized ring (about 5–6 rings per ounce).

Looking to set up or upgrade a casting operation in your own studio? We can help with that too.

Advanced / Private / Custom Classes and Workshops

Tailored to: Your specific needs

Offerings include:

• Basic wax working techniques

• Wax texturing

• Ring forming and fabrication

• Alternative lost wax materials

• Rubber mold making and injecting

• Treeing, investing, and casting

• Sprue removal

• Finishing and polishing

• Creative experimentation using the lost wax process

Additional Information

Class Goals:

1. Become familiar with the creative process as it pertains to cast silver jewelry

2. Learn basic wax techniques: connections, texturing, and fabrication skills

3. Master practical finishing techniques using both hand and power tools

4. Gain a comprehensive overview of the lost wax casting process, from idea inception to a polished silver ring

If you are looking to setup or upgrade a casting operation in your studio we can help.

Advanced/Private/Custom Classes and Workshops

Tailored To: Your specific needs

Offerings:

• Basic wax working techniques
• Wax texturing
• Ring forming and fabrication
• Alternative lost wax materials
• Rubber mold making and injecting
• Treeing, investing, and casting
• Sprue removal
• Finishing and polishing
• Creative experimentation using the lost wax process

Eligibility:
Open to all interested individuals aged 14 and older.

 

Additional Information

Class Goals:

1. Become familiar with the creative process as it pertains to cast silver jewelry
2. Learn basic wax techniques: connections, texturing, and fabrication skills
3. Master practical finishing techniques using both hand and power tools
4. Gain a comprehensive overview of the lost wax casting process from idea inception to a polished silver ring

Materials:

• All basic tools and equipment are included, however a list of optional tools will be provided for those who are interested in building their own waxwork tool inventory.
• Given recent volatility in silver prices, sterling silver casting grain is no longer included in tuition — it's billed separately at current market price for whatever you use.   For reference: at the current market rate of ~$75/oz, sterling silver casting grain costs roughly $12–15 per average-sized ring (about 5–6 rings per ounce).

Preparation:
Students are encouraged to research and organize potential project ideas before the class begins. The instructor will reach out before your class begins with some suggested activities assist in facilitating this process.

Instructor: Steve Mitman

Our primary instructor, Steve Mitman is currently working as a studio jewelry artist. He has over 33 years of art education classroom experience and has successfully taught this process to students as young 9 years old.  Mitman cast his first silver ring in 1988.

Have a question about the class?  Contact the instructor mitman13@gmail.com