Wax Carved Cast Jewellery

Explore the ancient art of wax carving to design, measure, sculpt, size and finish a bespoke piece of contemporary jewellery. 

This is a two day course running on two Saturdays, two weeks apart: day one is on Saturday 17 May 2025 and day two is on Saturday 31 May 2025. Each day will start at 10.30am and end at 4.30pm, with a short break for lunch.

After day one, your wax ring or pendant will be sent off to a professional jewellery caster to be cast into brass (or sterling silver if you choose, additional costs apply). On the second Saturday your piece will be back from the caster and you will learn how to saw, file, sand and polish your casting to create your own beautiful piece of custom jewellery.

This is an introductory course, suitable for absolute beginners with no wax carving experience. You will learn to carve, sculpt and refine a wax model ready to be cast into solid brass (or silver). Wax is a fantastic substance with which to explore shapes and forms and how they relate to the body so your jewellery is wearable as well as beautiful!

We may take inspiration from the gallery exhibition(s) here at Attenborough Arts, or you can bring along images, sketches etc if you wish to, to help you create your ring or pendant (chain not included).

Tutor Loree Bologna has worked as a designer goldsmith for over 40 years and has been teaching jewellery making for over 20 years. She is currently a tutor at the Nottingham Jewellery School and offers one-to-one workshops from her own studio in Nottingham. She is also a regular at our Craft & Art Fairs where she sells her own stunning jewellery.

All materials are provided. PLEASE NOTE: the cost of this course includes your jewellery piece cast in brass. If you would like to have your piece cast in silver, additional costs will apply and Loree will be able to advise you as you re the cost of silver as you design and carve your piece to make sure you work within your budget if you’d like to cast in silver. The cost of this will be confirmed on day one of the course and will depend on the size/weight of your piece and the cost of silver at the time.

Suitable for ages 16+. Under 18s must be accompanied by a paying adult at all times.

Please ensure that you agree to our updated Terms & Conditions before booking as courses/workshops are non-refundable in some circumstances.

We aim to make all our sessions as accessible as possible and carers/PAs are very welcome – just remember to book their free place when you book your session. If you'd like to talk to us in advance of booking or attending your sessions to discuss your access needs, our Box Office team is here to help! Email arts-centre@le.ac.uk, pop in or call 0116 252 2455, open 7 days a week.

We have four blue badge parking spaces outside Attenborough Arts Centre, plus double yellow line roadside parking very close to the building for blue badge holders for up to three hours if our parking spaces are occupied.

Free parking for all customers is available after 5pm on weekdays and all day at weekends in the University of Leicester car park next door to Attenborough Arts Centre on Lancaster Road.

The closest public car park for parking at all other times is Victoria Park, 5-10 minutes walk from us.