Nov 7th - Nov 28th 2024 : Casting - Molds from Found Objects (afternoon)

4 WEEK CLASS, MEETING ONCE WEEKLY 
*all classes meet at Katie's jewelry studio in Greenville, South Carolina

THURSDAYS 2-5 PM
November 7th,th, 21st, 28th

Castings from Nature (or other found objects!)
During this multi-week jewelry making class, students will learn the basics of casting as well as the simplest, easy to repeat (even at home) mold making techniques.  Students will mold their own found objects, manipulate them in wax, and cast them into metal jewelry objects.  

• Casting: students will practice all of the technical parts of lost wax casting for jewelry, including carving, spruing, investing, and centrifugal casting
• Oxy-propane torch anatomy and use:   students will become familiar with using the 'big torch', as casting requires the use of a larger two-fuel torch than we typically use for silversmithing classes
• Basic wax work:  students will learn how to carve and manipulate wax as it relates to the forms we will be molding.  Students will pour, carve, and weld wax objects to create jewelry objects.
• Simple Molds:  students will learn how to create simple silicone based molds from objects that already exist as opposed to carving designs from scratch. This is not the same as traditional wax-injection molds for jewelry reproduction. Molds created can be used to create multiples, as starting points for other carvings or wax manipulations, or to easily and quickly replicate unique textures or forms that would be complex to carve.

The class fee includes instruction and mold materials only.   Sterling or bronze is sold to each student individually and the cost is weight based, so each student's fee is different depending on how much metal their projects utilize.  Typical costs for a student average around $30-$60 per class, but can increase if students prefer to work large or exclusively in silver.   

*students are welcome to bring their own scrap silver to cast with if they'd like -- just make sure to cut out any parts that have solder ahead of casting. 

Prerequisite: None! This class is designed for those both with or without prior casting or silversmithing experience.

*Intermediate students or experienced casters welcome -- Katie can guide you to more challenging projects.  Even if you've cast before, it's very unlikely that you've done this mold making technique before.  

Workshop Cancellation Policy:

Student Cancellation:
Due to the small class sizes and demand for each seat, if you are unable to attend a class for any reason, please notify Katie as soon as possible to allow another student to register for the class. 

Please note, we cannot offer refunds for student cancellations, but we can offer credit to be applied toward a future workshop based on the time frame in which you have notified us of your cancellation.

• Please notify us at least 72 hours prior to the workshop date and time for full credit towards another workshop.
• Less than 72 hours notice from class date and time, you will receive a 50% credit towards another workshop.
• If cancelled within 24 hours of workshop or if you are a no-show to class, we cannot offer any refund or class credit.  

*While extenuating circumstances happen from time to time and will be overlooked -- Katie reserves the right to unenroll and/or prevent future enrollments from any student that exhibits repeated cancellations.  Students who habitually enroll and then cancel, particularly at the last minute, may not be allowed to enroll in future classes, as this creates scheduling problems for everyone and often results in total cancellation of a class.  


Low-Enrollment Cancellation:
Workshop cancellations are decided three days before the start date. In the rare event that Katie must cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollment, currently enrolled students will have the option to have the entire class fee refunded or held as credit for future workshops.

Age limitation:
This class is appropriate for students aged 16+, however students aged 9-16 may be permitted if a parent is also taking the class.