In order to accommodate people's specific needs and schedules, the Conservatory offers two one week courses, the first, focusing on hand fabrication and the second, focusing on the lost wax casting process. Students may take either course first, i.e. attend the casting session in Session One then attend hand fabrication in Session 2, or any combination of sessions desired. Students may also opt to attend only one of the courses if desired. If you would like more detailed information about the curriculum, please
contact us, and we will sent you the information shortly.
Direct metal fabrication
This one week course will teach the basics of hand fabrication, or direct metal construction of jewelry. The student will learn some basic design principles, work out a design on paper and then transform it into metal. Students will learn how to use a hand saw, solder, file, chase or stamp design into the metal, and to polish the finished piece. Instruction will be highly individualized as the students work through their projects. The goal will be for each student to have two to three finished pieces that they will be proud of, and have the knowledge to continue making jewelry on their own.
Lost wax casting
This one week course is designed to teach the student the lost wax casting process. Students in this class will learn basic design principles, create a design and transfer it to wax. Students will then transform the wax model into metal through the lost wax casting process. The piece will then be finished using a hand saw, files, sandpaper and polishing wheels. The student should be able to finish two pieces during this one week course and with the proper equipment continue to make jewelry on their own.
