Lost Wax Casting with Mothmade Jewels - August

We are so excited to host guest tutor Lily Wenmoth of Mothmade Jewels to teach students her own particular lost wax style!

This one-off course is taught over three classes - 7 August, 14 August, 28 August. Note that there is a two-week gap between the last two classes to allow for waxes to be cast.

Lily will show students how to create interesting designs in wax using her own techniques which include mixing waxes, and with a particular emphasis on creating organic-looking shapes and textures. Although smooth and angular shapes can be achieved, if you are not interested in creating organic shapes or textures, we recommend considering the Lost Wax six-week block where you can spend more time on intricate carvings and getting precise angular shapes.

Waxes are worked on in the first two weeks of the course, then sent away to be professionally cast in the metal of your choice - we usually start with bronze, but some students wish to go straight into silver. Once your pieces are back for the third class, you will be taught how to cut, file, and shape them into wearable pieces.

Included in the class fee are all your different types of waxes, sandpaper and courier costs.

Not included are any gemstones, casting and metal costs, which vary from student to student depending on what they want to make. Small castings can cost around $7 - $11, and metals are between 0.35 cents per gram for bronze to $4.65 per gram for silver.

Kids over 12 or so are welcome to attend, but anyone under 16 must be accompanied by an enrolled parent or caregiver.

Tutor artist bio: Lily Wenmoth (she/they) is an Ōtautahi local. She is primarily self-taught in her jewellery-making processes, and established her brand Mothmade Jewels in 2021. Her designs are now in stores around the motu and are all made right here in the Workspace Studios workshop. Her designs are easily recognisable and characterized by organic, twisting and bubbly shapes set with sparkly gemstones.