Tag: flame-working

Glass Kiln forming workshop  Nov 3, 4 & 5, 11th $300pp+(optional) lab fee  This intensive class introduces fundamental concepts of creating glass objects in the kiln either through lost wax casting, Pate de Verre or a combination of the two. 1st Friday evening overview demonstrates the Vitrigraph kiln/flameworking cane/murrine.  Students will learn kiln forming towards making window pieces, bowls/plates, sculptural, wearable items and more! Students work with Bullseye glass, frit/powder, rod and stringer OR have the option (casting only) with gorgeous Gaffer crystal.    No experience with glass is required for this course.

Friday evening 6:30-9:30pm: Introduction/demonstration of vitrigraph kiln and flame working cane/murrini for use in kiln forming glass.

Saturday afternoon (noon to 6pm): Students have the opportunity of hand pulling cane/murrini at the torch. Students build models from clay, wax patterns, moulds using alginate and more, set-up the kiln for kiln forming/casting/pate de verre.
Sunday afternoon  (noon-5pm): Students learn how to work with refractory materials to hand-build moulds, mother moulds, weigh for glass. Models are steamed out of moulds and set-up in the kiln(s).

Saturday afternoon (noon to 5pm): Students return to de-invest their models, cold work their glass by hand.

Lab fee (optional): $100 covers Gaffer crystal colours*, metals, & expendables

Students are emailed concerning glass colour choice, otherwise everyone works with clear glass.

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Flame ON!, Next workshop starts Tuesday evenings Nov  14th 6:30-9:30pm  $130pp includes materials-

 Class runs 3 evenings.
This workshop introduces students to the basics of mandrel-wound (soft) glass beadmaking by the process of flameworking (lampworking) shaping glass at a bench-mounted, surface-mix oxygen/propane torch. Safety is discussed, tools, terminology of glass, and process. Each student will have access to a torch and will melt and form glass using a variety of hand tools.This is the chance to experience working molten glass! While not a “product-oriented” workshop, there will be plenty of time for students to make a small, but satisfying batch of colourful beads, which are annealed overnight after each workshop, and cleaned before the start of the next class.  Class fee includes all materials
No experience necessary! Ages 12 on up are welcome!

 Learn how to form, fabricate, solder, set-stones and more in our 4 wk Metal + Glass course. Metal + Glass courses are offered afternoons and evenings Monday & Wednesday. Ring band & Wedding band workshops, Lost wax casting silver, alloys, etc. Please see below for our current schedule.

METAL + GLASS 4wk:  Monday & Wednesday evenings – Learn basic Goldsmithing.  6:30-9:30pm Next course starts-up Monday, Oct 2nd or Monday, November 6th $275pp (deposit of $137.50 to reserve seat)

evening #1: First evening: working with copper: safety, drilling, sawing. Adding textures.

evening #2: Making a band ring out of silver (stamp, hammer finish, roller print, etc.)

evening #3: Working with wax create pieces w/the lost wax technique- to be cast in Sterling silver or bronze/brass.

evening #4: Finishing wax projects, Cuttlefish casting (lo-tech) in house.

evening #5: Kilnworked glass. Fuse several glass pieces (buckle, pendant, cabochon for setting later!).

evening #6: Enameling copper projects, forming, how to make your own basic findings.

evening #7: Bezel settings cabochon stones or fossils or crystals, or an enamelled or Fused glass piece.

evening #8: Finish up projects

No experience necessary!

Copper, wax, glass, and some sterling silver are supplied*.  A list of local suppliers is included.   Questions concerning this course? Please see our FAQ’s

What is included: 

Approx 3″ x 3″ piece of 16 to 18 gauge copper & *16 ga Sterling silver sheet & wire/15 gr casting grain

Sterling silver for 1 ring band, approx 60mm in length and 1.5mm thick (6mm wide)

Wax

Solder

1 dozen 3/0 saw blades, *1 gross selection of Jeweller’s saw blades

Glass powders/Frit & sheet for Fusing *Approximately 1kg of Lead crystal towards a lost wax casting.

Bezel wire for 1 setting

Use of tools & equipment *Bench pin and saw frame to take home

Students are encouraged to supply their own cabochon cut stones, crystals, rocks, etc. However there is a small selection of stones for students to choose from.

Monday October 2nd or Nov 6th  6:30-9:30pm (deposit of $137.50 to reserve seat) Please leave a Paypal note concerning the start date you prefer, or email the studio.

Optional Lab Fee (includes items above with *): $125

Lost wax casting course- sculpt wax, make moulds, cast your objects in Sterling silver* 4 weeks Tuesday evenings starting October 10th 6:30-9:30pm $350pp No experience necessary! 6 student max. Deposit of $175 to reserve seat 

In this course students carve/sculpt jeweller’s wax making a ring or a pendant that will be cast in Sterling silver and/or bronze. Burn out casting will be discussed, and low-tech casting methods will be discussed and demonstrated. Students will learn how to make moulds for wax injection/production work. Casting stones in place, such as: diamonds, sapphires, meteorites and certain lab grown stones will be discussed/demonstrated. The first evening starts with an introduction to various jeweller’s wax, carving tools, subtractive and additive sculpting. Students then discuss their design ideas and begin to carve/sculpt their pieces to be cast. The second evening discusses how to cast organic materials; bone, shell, or wood. Each evening covers a different part of the Lost Wax process into finishing work to a high polish or brushed finish as well as working with patinas.

What’s included:

Various wax for carving and sculpting

spiral saw blades

Nitrile gloves

Particulate masks

2 ounces of Sterling silver

*students wishing to cast in gold will be given supplier information.

Casting organic materials will be discussed. Some items may be ‘burnt out’ within a casting flask, while others require moulds to be made. Casting various stones in place is discussed and some stones will be available for students to experiment with.

Sterling silver Ring band workshops taking place Thursday evening, October 19th $88pp

Learn how to properly measure your finger(s), layout your pattern and hand cut, form, forge a sterling silver ring band! Demonstrations on adding textures via hammers, stamping tools, and Rolling Mill add inspiration. Finishing techniques; brush, satin, rustic and high mirror polish and leave the workshop with a beautiful sterling silver ring or set of 3 thin stacking rings*!

Participants learn how to hand saw, add texture, form, solder and finish their rings in this super fun workshop! All materials included. Sterling silver for 1 wide band ring or sterling silver for 3 stacking rings, or a combination of sterling copper and bronze for stacking rings.

Thursday evening Oct 19 6:30-9:30pm 

Please read our FAQs & policies