Lost Wax Casting 101

Jules first learned casting from a jewelry perspective and is currently interested in many types of metal sculpture and jewelry. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Interdisciplinary Creative Studies & Fine Arts. A proud generalist with a professional background in non-profits, at Artisans Asylum she serves as a casting shop tool tester, instructor, and a member of the Gallery A2 panel. She loves cats, coffee, fostering creativity and building community.

Learn the ancient art of Lost Wax Metal Casting! For anyone from total beginners to those who simply want a refresher and/or to learn their way around the Artisans Asylum Casting Shop. Students will cast and take home a small bronze item such as a ring, pendant, medal, game dice, or ornament.

Participants will leave this class with the knowledge needed to enjoy lost wax casting at Artisans.

We will be casting only in ancient bronze during class, yet this class prepares students to use the A2 Casting Shop to create items like jewelry, components, and small sculptures in a variety of shop-approved metals including silver, bronze, brass, and more! The class covers the skills needed to take Artisans Tool Tests for: Lost Wax Investment Casting, the Electromelt, and the Sentry Kiln.

The materials fee for this class is $20. This is separate from the ticket price and is to reimburse the instructor for any tools or materials used in this class. This will be paid once, directly to the instructor at the start of the first class meeting. This instructor accepts payments in cash or through Venmo.

Students will receive a full introduction to lost wax metal casting, including:

Intro to the Artisans Asylum Casting Shop

Wax types and tools

Sprueing wax patterns plus best practices

Investment process

Use of the vacuum machine for both investing and casting

Using the Sentry kiln for wax burnout

Use of the Electromelt to melt and pour metal

Cutting off sprues and buttons

Safety skills for all of the above

How to leave the shop in ready to use condition

Take aways: At least one small bronze casting

Preparation for A2 Tool Tests: Lost Wax Investment Casting, the Electromelt, and the Sentry Kiln.

All casting materials, including ancient bronze metal for casting, optional small wax forms, wax sprues, N95 masks, and investment materials. Use of kiln, Electromelt, casting flasks, wax tools, safety leather aprons, gloves, safety glasses, and other tools are provided by the shop.

Students should wear only natural fiber clothing (cotton, wool, or leather), closed-toe shoes (preferably leather), long pants, and a shirt that covers shoulders, torso and upper arms, such as a cotton long-sleeved shirt or T-shirt.

Eye glasses if you use them, especially those for detailed work.

Something to take notes with.

Students may optionally bring a wax pattern of their own to cast in ancient bronze, if it fits within the casting flask and feasible parameters. Dimensions of pattern should be less than 1.5 inches. There will not be time during class to create wax items from scratch. A small selection of premade wax pattern items will be available to all students, so bringing one is not required.

All students must be 18 years or older. This class is suitable for total beginners, those looking for a refresher, and those seeking to become familiar with the Artisans Casting Shop. No prior experience is necessary.

Learn more about our class and ticket cancelation policies Here.

Please email [email protected] with any questions.

*Sales end 24 hours before the start of the class to allow the instructor and staff time to prep.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Artisan's Asylum, 96 Holton Street, Boston, United States