Emilie Shapiro Studio
$500.00
In this 6 week open level class, we'll delve deeper into wax carving and jewelry making skills with projects and demos tailored for each individual student's level.
With a focus on building bezel and prong settings for gemstones in wax to be cast into metal. We'll make a minimum of two projects over the 6 weeks.
Tools and wax materials are included, and a tool list is provided if you'd like to purchase your own tools. The material cost for metal casting is not included and there are a few different options for casting - brass, bronze, sterling silver, and different karats of gold (although not recommended for beginners projects). Castings in base metals like brass and bronze are usually around $15, depending on the weight.
This course is open to beginners and intermediate levels and teaches introductory jewelry techniques.
Wax carving is an ancient technique dating back to the Egyptians where you carve a small, detailed sculpture and cast it into metal using the lost wax casting technique. Wax carving and casting is a wonderful technique for creating your own handmade jewelry and is a great technique to practice at home that requires very few tools.
Emilie Shapiro is a jewelry designer, instructor and educator and has been practicing her craft for over 20 years. Emilie received her B.F.A. in Art + Design with a concentration in jewelry and metalsmithing from Syracuse University. She also studied at Alchimia, a contemporary school of jewelry in Florence, Italy with artists Peter Bauhuis, Yoko Shimizu, and Marzia Rossi. Before launching her own jewelry line, Emilie worked as a bench jeweler and production manager for various jewelry companies in New York City. Emilie also teaches jewelry workshops in her studio, as well as online classes offered on her website, and has taught at wonderful institutions like the 92Y, Brooklyn Brainery, Liloveve Jewelry Studio and more. Emilie is the author of How to Create Your Own Jewelry Line & Creative Wax Carving.