Wax Carving Techniques for Jewelry Design
A course by Elsa TierneyJewelry Designer and Maker
A course by Elsa Tierney, Jewelry Designer and Maker
Explore the ancient art of wax carving and discover creative techniques to design, measure, sculpt, size, and finish bespoke pieces of jewelry from scratch
Ever thought about designing a customized ring for yourself or someone close to you? Award-winning jewelry designer Elsa Tierney finds nothing more meditative than the intricate process of carving, filing, and dusting off her wax sculptures, destined to become bespoke pieces of jewelry.
In this online course, discover the ancient art of lost wax casting to produce a timeless piece of jewelry that you can treasure forever. Explore a variety of techniques to transform wax into wearable accessories that reflect your unique style.
What will you learn in this online course?
16 lessons & 16 downloads
Tools and Workspace
6 minutes, 1 second
The Different Types of Wax
3 minutes, 36 seconds
Playing With Wax
16 minutes, 40 seconds
From Sketch to Technical Drawing
12 minutes, 18 seconds
Measuring, Cutting, and Leveling the Ring Tube
10 minutes, 0 seconds
Shape Measurements for Symmetry
11 minutes, 32 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by meeting your teacher, Elsa Tierney, who talks about her work and background, as well as her biggest sources of inspiration, including ancient artifacts from all over the globe and artists like Tamara De'Lempicka, Brancusi, and Man Ray.
Then hear a brief history of wax carving and take an in-depth look at the materials needed for the course. After exploring the various waxes and experimenting to discover their different properties and uses, see how to do your technical sketch and familiarize yourself with some essential ring terminology.
Discover how to transfer your design from 2D to 3D by measuring, cutting, and sculpting your basic ring shape. Elsa guides you through the various filing stages and how to size your ring mold, refine the structure, and play around with texture. She also demonstrates how to make your signet ring perfectly symmetrical.
Next, your teacher shows you a freehand approach for the final details, before sanding, smoothing, and polishing your finished piece.
If you decide to cast your ring in metal, Elsa gives you some parting tips on cleaning and polishing it, along with a variety of engraving ideas.
What is this course's project?
Design and create a wax mold for a classic-style signet ring.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is for anyone wanting to take their first steps in the world of jewelry design, as well as jewelry designers keen on exploring wax carving or improving their technique.
Requirements and materials
No previous experience is needed to take this course.
For materials, you need:
⦁ tracing paper, graph paper, and masking tape ⦁ a flat-top wax ring tube ⦁ a jeweler’s saw frame ⦁ a double-ended file, craft knife, spiral saw blade, and scriber ⦁ a small metal ruler and set square ⦁ emery paper ⦁ a fiberglass pen ⦁ stocking fabric
Reviews
- paola_biasielloPLUS16 days ago
Questo corso è molto bello! L'insegnante ti trasmette la sua passione e spiega le procedure in modo semplice e dettagliato!
- sofia_saganiasPLUS22 days ago
Muy detallados todos los procedimientos! Explica con calma y precision.
- 1 month ago
Es un curso excelente! Elsa explica con todo detalle cada proceso y de forma muy clara. Está muy bien estructurado y comparte mucha experiencia.
- cristinatejedaPLUS1 month ago
Este curso esta fantástico. Me encanta el proceso tan bien detallado para la simetria del anillo y todos los trucos que comparte. Su ritmo es facil de seguir y su voz es adradable y suave inspirando confianza.
- 2 months ago
El curso esta muy bien echo para el primer paso de hacer un anillo. Su voz es suave, se entiende bien todo y las instrucciones son claras. Lastima que no muestra las técnicas del gravado en el anillo de cera -la radon por la que tome el curso :-S
Alongside her own creative practice, Elsa teaches wax carving and Mitsuro Hikime at the Goldsmiths’ Centre and offers private one-to-one tuition in both disciplines. She has exhibited at Goldsmiths’ Fair and has received multiple awards from the Goldsmiths’ Crafts & Design Council in recognition of her craftsmanship.
With over 15 years of professional experience, Elsa has built a diverse career encompassing jewellery design and making, selling through markets, pop-ups, fairs and online platforms, promoting her work through social media, teaching both private and group workshops, and working closely with suppliers and specialist services across the jewellery industry.
Elsa's work is rooted in her background in fine art and is inspired by the artists of 1930s Paris, including Brancusi, Man Ray and Picasso, as well as the elegance of Art Deco. She also draws inspiration from the abstract bronze sculptures of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, alongside African art and the ancient treasures housed in museums such as the V&A and the British Museum. She approaches each piece of jewellery as a miniature sculpture, designed not only to be worn but also appreciated as a work of art.
In addition to jewellery, Elsa applies her wax carving expertise to her fine art practice, creating wax sculptures that are cast into bronze and other metals using the traditional lost-wax casting process. Her ongoing research explores the creative possibilities of wax across both jewellery and sculpture, reflecting her commitment to pushing the boundaries of the medium.
Through her making, teaching and writing, Elsa continues to champion wax as a versatile artistic material, encouraging experimentation while sharing both traditional techniques and contemporary approaches with makers around the world.
Content
- U1
Introduction
- About Me
- Influences
- U2
Designing and Preparing for Carving
- A Brief Introduction to the History of Lost-Wax Casting
- Tools and Workspace
- The Different Types of Wax
- Playing With Wax
- From Sketch to Technical Drawing
- U3
Measuring and Symmetry
- Measuring, Cutting, and Leveling the Ring Tube
- Shape Measurements for Symmetry
- U4
Shaping the Ring
- Filing and Sizing the Ring Form 1
- Filing and Sizing the Ring Form 2
- Shaping and Refining the Ring Structure
- Decorative Techniques and Texturing
- U5
Casting and Engraving
- Spruing Ready for Casting into Metal 1
- Spruing Ready for Casting into Metal 2
- Optional Engraving
- FP
Final project
- Wax Carving Techniques for Jewelry Design
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and provides step-by-step guidance in wax carving, silversmithing, and jewelry design techniques.
You'll need basic tools like carving files, ring sizer, scriber, saw, wax blocks, and a heat pen. The course provides a full materials list and guides you through tool selection.
You'll learn wax carving, lost wax casting, silversmithing, mold-making, ring design, texturing, and finishing techniques, plus how to use various waxes and tools for unique jewelry pieces.
Yes, the course covers the entire lost wax casting process, from carving wax models to burning out wax and pouring molten silver into molds.
The course teaches methods for texturing and detailing wax using specialized tools such as files, heat pens, and abrasives to achieve organic and intricate effects.
Yes, the course includes step-by-step instruction on carving and personalizing signet rings, including creating crests and custom engravings.
Yes, you'll explore innovative design by incorporating textiles, buttons, and found objects into your jewelry, blending traditional and unconventional materials.