In this class students will introduced to simple cutting and soldering techniques, then encouraged to map out a project for themselves which they will then translate into form. This new and unique course has 2 five-week segments. Precious Metal Clay is both incredibly easy to work with and immensely rich in possibilities. It is worked just like clay, and when fired in a kiln it becomes a piece of pure silver. This class is an opportunity to learn how to carve and build models out of wax for the purpose of small scale lost wax casting.
Students can acquire several low and high tech methods of manipulating wax into desired forms.
Many of these techniques can be done at home with tools as simple as coat hangers and candles, but in class we will explore several different realms of wax modeling including wax wire work, embedded objects, and layered castings. Students will also be introduced to a number of different waxes each with their own characteristics. These models can be invested in sterling silver or bronze. Wax Lathing Learn to turn wax on a miniature lathe for the purpose of casting. The lathe provides the ability to create very precise and interesting three dimensional cylindrical forms of varying shapes and thicknesses which can be cast as individual pieces or as elements on other pieces.