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.Learn the art of lost wax casting glass, and pate de verre. From paper thin to thicker lost wax models, adding metal inclusions, and more. Students will learn how to make moulds from existing objects using Alginate, as well as model new ones from clay and wax. Hand built moulds and box moulds will be made with various refractory materials. Students will learn different firing and annealing schedules for casting & pate de verre. Hand cold-working without the need of expensive equipment! No experience necessary!All materials are included. Students are required to bring in their own half-face respirator with particulate filters. Aprons are available for use at the studio, as are all tools and equipment necessary for sculpting, firing and cold working glass, however, students are welcome to bring in their own tools, etc., just make sure your items are marked. kiln casting workshop Size max 3 inches in any direction. Day 1: Replication. Students will make simple alginate moulds from items they wish to cast in glass. Examples: plastic/vinyl toy/action figure, anatomical models or small branch, unusual vegetable/fruit, seed pod. Items could also be modelled from Sculpey clay and fired ahead of attending the workshop. Glass options are discussed. While the silicone/alginate moulds cure, students build a small bowl form out of clay (add texture/details) and from there build a refractory mould, once set-up the clay is removed and students are shown how to apply glass to the mould a la Pate de Verre. Colour samples (towards casting) are also made on this day.lost wax cast chill peppers in glass
Day 2: Wax pouring and hand-built moulds. Students pour multiple waxes from their silicone/alginate moulds, refine their wax models (add or subtract). Models are then weighed and various glass options are revisited. Once glass choice is determined pouring gates are added to models and then a silica based refractory mould is built around the wax models. Once moulds set up the wax is then steamed out. Meanwhile, glass is weighed, and cleaned. -Items are cast & annealed over the week.
Pate de verre bowl
Day 3: De-mould kiln castings/cold working Students remove their kiln cast objects and start the cold working process. Various methods and equipment are discussed and demonstrated. Day 4: Finish cleaning kiln cast objects.
What’s included:1.5 kg of glass, silicone/alginate materials necessary for mould building, Refractory materials, Wax, Nitrile glove, sn95 Particulate respirator, Cold-working consumables
Lab fee (optional): $100 covers Gaffer crystal colours*, Bullseye colours: sheet, billet, fine, medium or coarse frit, metals.. Students are emailed concerning glass colour choice, otherwise everyone works with clear glass and coloured frit (further info concerning this below).
Glass: we will be working with Bullseye glass (clear).
For the Pate de Verre project participants work with clear fine frit, and may add colour through painting onto the mould surface using glass Powders. The studio has a basic colour palette of Bullseye Glass Powders in red, orange, yellow, greens, and blues along with black and white.
For the kiln casting part of the course participants are working with Bullseye glass Crystal Clear Kilncasting Cullet. Or Gaffer crystal (please see below).
Projects: we will complete several projects
1- colour samples for cast items.
Working with Alginate or Hydrogel
1- Pate de Verre- thin walled ‘casting’, open-face mould.
1- Solid kiln cast form, discuss refractory materials, mother moulds, face coats. Venting/gating/sprueing up your wax model.
Note:
If you want to work with coloured Bullseye Glass Frits (fine, medium, course, etc for Pate de Verre and/or casting), Billets (casting only) or Gaffer Crystal (Not compatible with Bullseye, only used in solid casting part of course)> that is extra (the Lab fee) and would need to be ordered ahead of the class. This is not mandatory at all, though.
That said, if you are unfamiliar with Bullseye and/or Gaffer glass you of course would ask: …What’s the difference, why would I choose to work with one over the other?
Bullseye glass is made from Soda Lime, and depending on colour various oxides, metals, pigments are added. Gaffer is created similarly however it has a low viscosity at normal casting temperatures and has virtually no tendency to devitrify -at all- at top casting temperatures, nor on its descent in temperature down to the annealing range. Furthermore, its very low viscosity,
and low surface tension at 780-900°C. (1426-1650°F), leads to very good surface definition. This makes it especially suitable for jewelry scale pieces, as well as large work.
Bullseye Glass is offered in various forms: Sheet, billet/cullet, Frit, Rod, Stringer, Dichroic, Powder.
Gaffer casting crystal is offered in: Billet, chunky ‘frit’.
There will be items on display at the studio made from both Bullseye and Gaffer.
Links to view glass colours (Frit, Billet), and Gaffer crystal.
Looking for an affordable studio space in Toronto where you can work on your metal and glass related projects? This might be the space for you! Come by Thursday evenings after 7pm to see if the studio is what you’re looking for and/or email your questions to: nanotopia@me.com
Open studio nights are a perfect time to visit the studio and meet other members. If you have a small project you would like to work on or ask for help with you are welcome to bring it in.
Thursdays 7pm – 9pm If it is your first time we recommend coming later in the evening, from 8pm – 9pm.
Nano-members have access to tools and equipment (kiln rental is extra). Members have access to the studio facilities Thursday evenings 7-10pm and Sunday afternoons 12pm-5pm** membership costs $75/month (**IMPORTANT: reopening January 18th, 2018 -check updates for Winter hours or email the studio in advance.)
Purchase membership online or via eTransfer: ($77.47 will be charged to cover Paypal fees)
Starting March 1st 2018 the studio will offer 24/7 shared space/time aka Studio share-holder ‘membership’. Sound interesting? Email us for further info/set-up an appointment.
Nanopod studio share-holders are the people collectively responsible for running and maintaining the space. Studio share-holders have 24/7 access to the space via key fob, and help determine how the space is operated: the people who schedule OS time and run the space as well as use it. Studio share-holders get priority use of the space, as well as free or significantly reduced price classes and workshops. Studio share-holders (OCAD/GB students: think Ultra Bench Rental) pay $350/month (tax included). Please note that prior to 24/7 access via key fob it is suggested that artists/makers purchase monthly studio time. This way we all see if the studio space is a good fit plus, we get to know each other! Some responsibilities of Studio share-holders includes:
Be available for Open Studio time 1 Thursday evening and 1 Sunday afternoon per month (schedules are discussed monthly).
Studio share-holders commit to 4/6mo with post-dated cheques or recurring eTransfer payments (1st/last up front).
Make sure all shared tools/equipment are kept organized and in working order.
**Studio share-holders do not need to offer workshops/courses.
Materials and consumables are not included in Open Studio time– you need to supply your own saw blades, solder, drill bits, wax, metal, enamel powders, stones, etc. Assistance/guidance is included, however you need to know what you are doing and how to properly/safely operate equipment, tools, and torches. If you are unfamiliar with some of the industrial/dangerous (chop off fingers, burn off your scalp equipment we suggest taking a beginning workshop or 4wk course). Orientations on how to operate our kilns needs to be booked in advance of kiln use please.
Learn how to form, fabricate, solder, set-stones and more in our 4 wk Metal + Glass course. Metal + Glass courses are offered evenings Monday & Wednesday. Now this 4wk course includes lost wax casting in situ! The entire process included in our $285/pp course. This deal expires January 2018- register soon!
METAL + GLASS 4wk: Monday & Wednesday evenings – Learn basic Goldsmithing. 6:30-9:30pm Monday, November 6th $285pp (deposit of $142.50 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.
evening #4: Finishing wax projects, invest models for casting in Glass and Metal (separately) Waxes for metal casting are weighed and calculated (sterling runs $2/grm unless lab fee has been purchased).
evening #5: Cast moulds in sterling silver or bronze! Remove glass pieces from moulds.
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 (asterisk shows what’s included with option lab fee):
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)
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 Nov 6th 6:30-9:30pm (deposit of $142.50 to reserve seat)
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 & Thursday evenings starting August 22nd 6:30-9:30pm $550pp No experience necessary! 6 student max. Deposit of $275 to reserve seat **payment plans are available (contact the studio for details)
In this course students carve/sculpt jeweller’s wax making a ring or a pendant that will be cast in Sterling silver. 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 we will discuss how to cast organic materials; bone, shell, or wood. 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.
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.
14k red gold ring
What’s included:
Various wax for carving and sculpting
Silicone kits for mould making
spiral saw blades
Nitrile gloves
Particulate masks
2 ounces of Sterling silver
*students wishing to cast in gold will be given supplier information. Copper may be added to sterling silver and/or fine silver to create Shibuichi. Casting organic materials will be discussed. Some items may be ‘burnt out’ within a casting flask, while other organic materials require moulds to be made. Casting various stones in place is discussed and some stones will be available for students to experiment with.
Student casting: Sapphire beads were cast in place.
Sterling silver lost wax cast crab claws
Lost wax casting course- sculpt wax, make moulds, cast your objects in Sterling silver* 4 weeks Tuesday & Thursday evenings starting August 22nd 6:30-9:30pm $550pp No experience necessary! 6 student max. Deposit of $275 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 using the Vacuum casting process. 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.
14k red gold ring
What’s included:
Various wax for carving and sculpting
Silicone kits for mould making
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.
Lost wax casting course- sculpt wax, make moulds, cast your objects in Sterling silver* 4 weeks Monday & Wednesday evenings starting July 6:30-9:30pm $550pp No experience necessary! 6 student max. Deposit of $275 to reserve seat
No experience necessary! 6 student max.
Deposit of $275 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 using the Vacuum casting process. 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 demonstrates how to cast organic materials; bone, shell, and 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.
14k red gold ring
What’s included:
Various wax for carving and sculpting
Silicone kits for mould making
spiral saw blades
Nitrile gloves
Particulate masks
2 ounces of Sterling silver
Cuttlefish bone to try lo-tech casting
List of local suppliers and course handbook
*students wishing to cast in gold will be given supplier information.
Last course for 2015- learn basic, beginning jewellery skills. Carve wax for lost wax casting, bezel-set stones, make a sterling silver ring-band, form, solder (sweat & joint), lo-tech casting, finishing, working with vitreous enamels, rivets and more! Register by Nov 12th
METAL + GLASS 4wk: Last course for 2015 starts up Monday, November 16th and runs Monday & Wednesday evenings Full Form • Fabricate • Cast • Fuse – Learn basic Goldsmithing – 6:30-9:30pm, 4 weeks, 2 evenings per week. – $285 per person, 6 people max, 3 people min.
evening #1: First evening: working with copper-safety, drilling, sawing.
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.
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
Payment in full is required to hold space.
What is included: Sterling silver for 1 ring band Approx 3″ x 3″ piece of 16 to 18 gauge copper Wax Solder to complete projects in class 1 dozen 3/0 saw blades Glass powders/Frit & sheet for Fusing Bezel wire for 1 setting Use of tools & equipment
What participants need to supply: Half face respirator or particulate mask Cabochon stone or fossil, crystal Sterling silver sheet for bezel setting (optional) Apron (optional- available for use at studio) Safety glasses (optional- available for use at studio)
lost wax cast ringsvitreous enamel on copper
Sterling silver hand-fabricated ring with bezel-set Dendritic agateHand sawn copper brooch, formed and fused with vitreous enamelBezel-set rock, sterling silverLost wax cast Sterling silver + Glass Coy-Wolf jawBirthday party ring band workshop!
Well, here’s some badass news! Starting August 17th the Metal + Glass course will include lost wax casting from start to finish!
What exactly does that mean? You might wonder. It means that now participants will not only learn how to work with ‘jeweler’s wax’ but they will also learn how to invest and cast their models using the centrifugal casting machine in house! That is going to equal lots of thrills and chills 🙂 Fun times and mega skills. The price of the course is going up a little, just $5.00 and also includes 1 ounce of Sterling silver casting grain. Adding in house casting opens up a lot of possibilities folks! Can’t wait to see who signs up for this new course offering. 😀
Below are full details, images and links to go register! Any questions? Please email me.
Sterling silver hand-fabricated ring with bezel-set Dendritic agate
4 week Metal + Glass:Next course starts up Monday, August 17th or Fall start, September 14th and runs Monday & Wednesday evenings (register below) Form • Fabricate • Cast • Fuse – Learn basic Goldsmithing + Lost wax casting glass – 6:30-9:30pm, 4 weeks, 2 evenings per week. – $285 per person, 6 people max, 3 people min. Half down required to hold space $142.50
evening #1: First evening: working with copper-safety, drilling, sawing.
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 in house.
evening #4: Finishing wax projects, invest models
evening #5: One by one each participant casts their flasks and starts cleaning their pieces.
evening #6: Bezel settings cabochon stones or fossils or crystals. Clean-up metal castings
evening #7: Enameling copper projects, forming, how to make your own findings.
evening #8: Finish up projects
No experience necessary! Register here (link takes you to a Square check-out page)
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
Deposit of half down required to hold space. Registrants will be invoiced prior to first evening of course.
Vitreous enamel on copper
What is included:
Sterling silver for 1 ring band
Approx 3″ x 3″ piece of 16 to 18 gauge copper
Wax
Solder to complete projects in class
1 dozen 3/0 saw blades
1 oz of Sterling silver casting grain
Glass powders
Bezel wire for 1 setting
Use of tools & equipment
Lost wax cast rings
What participants need to supply:
Half face respirator or particulate mask
Cabochon stone or fossil, crystal
Sterling silver sheet for bezel setting (optional)
Apron (optional- available for use at studio)
Safety glasses (optional- available for use at studio)
Glass Fusing components for jewelry, and wearable art plus, making a ring band and bezel-setting glass! New workshop dates have been added for May, June and July- interested? Check it out here.
Casting glass uses the Lost Wax process– which is very similar to Lost wax casting metal. Work with beautiful transparent Gaffer crystal, and Bullseye glass! Glass casting workshop July, 25th start/intro 6:30-9:30pm then Saturday & Sunday July 26/27 and Sat/Sun August 2/3 10am to 5pm 5 Student max., 3 student min. $180pp + $200 lab & materials fee** Glass casting workshop (small to medium scale objects) Learn the basics of glass casting. Up-cycle your wine or beer bottles into a beautiful work of art! Students will learn how to make molds of existing objects using Alginate, as well as model new ones from clay and wax. No experience necessary!
Or maybe you’ve been looking to delve deeper into Flame-working glass? Fire + Gravity Next course starts July15th 2014
Sculpt with molten glass
6:30-9:30pm, 1 evening per week, 12 weeks
$340.00 per person, 4 people max per course, 3 people min – $170 deposit required to hold space.
Focus on beginning mandrel wound glass beads. Working with beautiful Italian, Chinese and German hand-pulled glass students create beads, and rings. History is discussed, glass formulas, annealing cycles, glass suppliers/makers, and more! Create your own glass beads. All materials included*! No experience necessary! *Each student receives a special glass kit.
nanopod: Hybrid Studio is Toronto’s artist run, metal + glass studio offering workshops and courses in metal fabrication, lost wax casting (metal and/or glass), fusing, flame-working, stone setting, working with vitreous enamel, and more!
It is Tuesday, February 18th and there are 2 spaces available in the March metal + glass course(s). 1 space in Monday, March 3rd and 1 space left for the Wednesday, March 12th start. The next course doesn’t start up until Monday April 28th. Here are some recent student pics to get ya inspired! Mermaid Stones on Etsy sells these beauties! Labradorite, Untreated, all natural gorgeous stones ready to bezel set! Register online with your Visa, or Mastercard via Paypal or come by the studio Monday, Wednesday or Thursday evening between 5-9pm and pay with Visa, Mastercard or cash! Lost wax cast rings in bronze and Sterling silver. Beginning student work!
Metal + Glass
evening #1: First evening: working with copper-safety, drilling, sawing, fold-forming.
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, Bronze or Gold.
evening #4: Finishing wax projects, cleaning up castings> cuttlebone casting (finish up models)
evening #5: bezel settings and/or tube settings, alternative settings for found objects, clean-up castings
evening #6: Flameworking- intro to mandrel wound molten glass
evening #7: Enameling copper projects, forming, how to make your own findings.
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 check out some past student work!
Hand sawn, Viking inspired copper piece with Vitreous enamel Beginning student work!
Glass Kiln forming workshop April 7 thru 13th, $300pp+(optional) lab fee 12pm start.
Day 1: Replication. Students will make simple alginate moulds from items they wish to cast in glass. Examples: plastic/vinyl toy/action figure, anatomical models or small branch, unusual vegetable/fruit, seed pod. Items could also be modelled from Sculpey clay and fired ahead of attending the workshop. Glass options are discussed. While the silicone/alginate moulds cure, students build a small bowl form out of clay (add texture/details) and from there build a refractory mould, once set-up the clay is removed and students are shown how to apply glass to the mould a la Pate de Verre. Colour samples (towards casting) are also made on this day.
Nanopod studio share-holders are the people collectively responsible for running and maintaining the space. Studio share-holders have 24/7 access to the space via key fob, and help determine how the space is operated: the people who schedule OS time and run the space as well as use it. Studio share-holders get priority use of the space, as well as free or significantly reduced price classes and workshops. Studio share-holders (OCAD/GB students: 
METAL + GLASS 4wk: Monday & Wednesday evenings – Learn basic Goldsmithing. 6:30-9:30pm Monday, November 6th $285pp (deposit of $142.50 to reserve seat)
Lost wax casting course- sculpt wax, make moulds, cast your objects in Sterling silver* 4 weeks Tuesday & Thursday evenings starting August 22nd 6:30-9:30pm $550pp No experience necessary! 6 student max. Deposit of $275 to reserve seat **payment plans are available (contact the studio for details)
