NEW Sand Cast Pendants - Friday 14th March 2025
Learn the wonderful technique of sand casting and create two beautiful pendants.
Sand casting is one of the oldest metalsmithing techniques, and can be traced back to the Bronze Age in China. It is still used all around the world for industrial purposes - and of course for beautiful jewellery!
The Sand Casting Pendants workshop is suitable for beginners to casting upwards as it will take you from the basics, teaching you how to set up a mould in the sand, safely melt and pour the silver, and of course how to turn your cast pieces into gorgeous and unique pendants. I will also show you to prepare a crucible and create a safe working area for melting and casting the metal.
A wide (and growing!) collection of buttons, charms, shells, twigs, acorns and other objects are available for you to use and you are welcome to bring your own items as well. You will have the choice of adding a rough cut ruby or sapphire or a faceted cubic zirconia to one of your pendants.
Previous experience of soldering and sawing is a requirement of the workshop to ensure that you already have some confidence with a torch and saw blade.
Only 6 places are available to ensure that everyone gets the help and attention they need and so that everyone gets enough time using the equipment. This class is not suitable for under 18 year olds.
Tea, coffee, biscuits and cakes are included in the workshop fee, but lunch is not provided. Please note that we are a peanut-free studio.
Date and Venue
10am-5pm Friday 14th March 2025 at Fairways House, Mount Pleasant Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 0QB. Full directions will be emailed.
Materials
Silver is available for casting. The workshop fee does not include metals as everyone uses different amounts. To give you an idea of approximate costs at current prices, the pictured twig cost £14, the two large round button pendants £16 each, the ammonite £8, the flower with a stone in the middle £8, and the cast piece of sea glass £10.
Rough and faceted stones suitable for casting in place are also available to purchase for use in one of your pendants. If you wish to bring your own, only heat-resistant cubic zirconia and sapphires, rubies and diamonds are suitable. Chains to complete your pendants are also available.
You are welcome to bring your own scrap silver if you have it, but it must be clean and free from any contaminants, including solder. Fresh casting grain and solder-free off cuts of sheet and wire are perfect.
Tools and Equipment
The workshop fee includes use of all the tools and equipment needed. All workshops include worksheets to take home with you and discuss tools, equipment, materials and health and safety considerations.
Cancellations
Cancellations of workshop places and private tuition bookings within four weeks of the event will forfeit the workshop fee/private tuition deposit unless I am able to find someone to take your place. Please let me know as soon as possible if you are unable to attend.