Mold Making and Casting!

This three-day workshop is designed to demystify the process of mold making and casting using the lost-wax casting process. Students will gain a firm understanding of best practices in mold making and casting so they can be be cost effective in a when making multiples for a production environment. 

Over the course of three days, Dan will take students step-by-step through the entire mold-making and casting process. On the first day, students will have the opportunity to make one to two molds during class using pre-made models, objects, or trinkets. On the second day, students will learn to sprue and invest their new molded wax pieces which will be cast on the third and final day of the workshop, in bronze. Students are welcome to purchase sterling silver casting grain themselves and bring at least a troy ounce or two to the class (link below in the Materials section). 

Additional topics that will be covered in this workshop include how to properly cut open and vent molds in order to produce wax models, remove the sprues after casting, simple and quick finishing techniques, as well as an ongoing discussion of how to save time by designing wax models to incorporate findings, such as jump rings, ear posts, hinges, and catch location. Students will go home with molds and castings, as well as a better understanding of how to utilize these techniques for jewelry making and small sculptures.

Students should bring pieces that they have made in metal for vulcanized molding purposes, such as small pendants, rings and charms. Larger items like belt buckles can be discussed but may not fit in the frames and flasks available. 

A special thanks to Contenti for helping to make this workshop possible. 

Please be advised: we typically close registration for our onsite workshops the Tuesday of the week before the class start-date.