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Make a Unique Silver Ring or Pendant Workshop

Learn the ancient art of wax carving to create a unique silver ring or pendant design.
Bristol
In-person
£95 pp
2hrs 30min
Beginner
What happens in this class?

Fancy turning jewellery designer for the evening and crafting your own unique handmade silver ring or pendant? Then join Bristol jeweller Elin Horgan for this wonderfully relaxing and creative jewellery workshop.

During the 2.5hr session you'll carve your own unique design from wax which will then be cast in silver. You'll learn about the lost wax casting process and explore techniques for creating beautiful effects and textures using simple tools.

The workshop is perfect for beginners as previous jewellery making experience is not necessary.

Once your piece is cast in recycled silver, Elin will hand finish it…

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Things to remember

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be served on arrival as well as a glass of fizz (or non-alcoholic alternative) towards the end of the class.

Elin will provide all the tools and materials you need, but wax carving can get a little dusty so please make sure you wear…

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FAQs
What will I make at the workshop?
Over the course of the 2.5 hr jewellery making workshop, we explore the ancient technique of wax carving. You can choose to make a ring or a pendant and we’ll use a range of tools – files, craft knives and special heated wax pens – to create different effects in the wax. I will then send your finished wax ‘master’ to be cast in silver then I’ll finish and polish it before posting it back to you a few weeks later.
What is wax carving? It sounds tricky!
Wax carving is a brilliant technique for creating pieces with a bit more texture and volume than you’d get from making jewellery from a section of sheet or wire. In the jewellery class we'll use blue jewellers wax which can be easily carved into with the tools to shape into your desired ring or pendant design. It works equally well for bold geometric designs and softer more organic pieces. You can add details such as spheres by melting the wax with a wax pen or give the piece a faceted finish by chipping bits off with your craft knife. Those with a steady hand can also carve a design into the wax piece such a flower, leaf or initial. If you’d like to see some examples of jewellery that previous students have made then do check out my Pinterest board. Of, if you have any idea and you’re not sure if it would work then of course just drop me a line and we can chat though your design.
Can I make a ring or pendant in gold rather than silver?
At present I don’t offer pieces for casting in solid gold due to the high cost, but do let me know if this is something you’d be interested in as I’d be happy to provide you with a quote. However, if silver isn’t your thing you can opt for a gold vermeil finish for your piece. This is a layer of hard gold plating over a silver base and if you look after it well it's pretty durable. You’ll just need to let me know on the night and pay a small additional charge (£30) to have your jewellery finished in this way.
Do I need to come to the workshop with a design in mind?
No, absolutely not! Don’t worry if you don’t have a design in mind before you start. I always have some photos of rings and pendants that other workshop participants have made and a display of sample pieces to give you some inspiration. Some people like to plan out what they’re doing in advance and others just go with the flow and see what happens – either approach is fine! You may decide that you just want to get a feel for the material and how it behaves before you decide on a design. If you have a very specific idea in mind and want to talk it through in advance of the class then of course please do get in touch and we can discuss how to make it work.
Who is the jewellery making workshop suitable for? Do I need previous experience?
Don’t worry if you’ve never made jewellery before…these jewellery making classes are suitable for everyone, whatever your level. I promise you that no previous jewellery making experience is needed to make something beautiful. I've had attendees as young as 11 years old to over 70 years old and everyone has been able to create a wonderful and unqiue piece of jewellery for themselves. If you have some basic jewellery making skills such as sawing, filing and soldering then that’s great, but wax carving is quite a different technique so it’s not necessary to have made jewellery before to able to create something great!
Booking Options

Obby Guarantee

We ensure quality. If your class doesn't reach your expectations, we'll give your money back.
Obby guarantees good classes

Age Requirement

16

Flexible cancellation policy

Any class can be cancelled and fully refunded within 24 hours of purchase. See cancellation policy.
Your Teacher

Elin is a jeweller with a passion for creating understated, elegant and versatile jewellery that makes you feel amazing. If you love unique design and easy to wear handmade earrings, necklaces, rings and bracelets, then her jewellery is for you!
Elin also teaches beginners jewellery making classes exploring the ancient technique of wax carving to make beautiful and unique silver jewellery.

Class Location
Kiln Workshop
Bristol
63 North Road
Bishopston
BS6 5AD
Bristol

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