Education, Lost Wax Casting , Classes, Workshops and Consulting
Jewelry Casting Education Opportunities
Class Offerings:
- Lost Wax Jewelry Casting Classes
- 1 and 2-Day Workshops
- Private Consulting
- Additional Educational Opportunities
SBS offers customizable private or small group lessons. We work with clients to design classes or workshops to meet specific needs including:
Introduction to Lost Wax Jewelry Casting
Duration: 5 weeks
Location: Studio in Strong, Maine
Schedule: 2 hours, one night each week
Cost: $425 (includes casting of your work)
Frequency: 1 or 2 times a year
Description:
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
Outcome:
Students will create multiple silver rings. Up to 1 oz. of sterling silver casting grain is included in the tuition.
1-Day Waxwork + Casting Workshop
Duration: 7 hours
Designed For: Metalsmiths, artists, and craftspeople with basic jewelry finishing skills and tools
Pricing:
- Solo workshop (1 person): $600
- 2 people: $440 each
- 3-6 people: $375 each
Description:
In this 1-day workshop, students will:
- Fabricate wax models
- Learn waxwork fabrication and basic texturing techniques
- 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 will receive their cast silver pieces in the mail to finish at home. Up to 1 oz. of sterling silver is included.
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
Pricing:
- Solo workshop (1 person): $1200
- 2 people: $675 each
- 3-6 people: $550 each
Description:
Day 1:
- Fabricate wax models
- Learn waxwork fabrication and basic texturing techniques
- Receive instructor support with specific projects and ideas
Day 2:
- Learn finishing techniques to remove sprue connections, file, sand, finish, and polish pieces from the first class
Outcome:
Students will create multiple silver rings. Up to 1 oz. of sterling silver casting grain is included in the tuition. You will wear home some (if not all) of your silver pieces.
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:
- Become familiar with the creative process as it pertains to cast silver jewelry
- Learn basic wax techniques: connections, texturing, and fabrication skills
- Master practical finishing techniques using both hand and power tools
- Gain a comprehensive overview of the lost wax casting process from idea inception to a polished silver ring
Materials:
- Up to 1 oz. of sterling silver included
- 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.
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