Class

Wax Carving Workshop

£80
5 hours
Silver & Steel

Skill level

Suitable for all

Materials

Pay for castings

Upcoming dates

Fri 17.07.26
11:00 AM
Fri 26.06.26
11:00 AM

Learn the art of wax carving to create a wax ‘master’ to cast for jewellery making! Wax carving Bristol expert Captain Grimace is hosting this brilliant workshop aimed at giving you the skills to carve your own jewellery from wax, ready to be cast. Known for his intricate details and bold design, Grimace will guide participants through the techniques in a relaxed, accessible, fun atmosphere.

The focus of this session is on subtractive wax carving rather than building or modelling working primarily in blue and green ferris wax. You can add you own designs, illustrations, settings – anything goes!

Learnt tips and tricks from a pro and even if you’re wax carving at home already, we’re sure you’ll learn something new.

Suitable for people of all abilities, from absolute beginners to those with some knowledge of silversmithing and wax carving.

You'll make...

Whatever you like, this is your session

Bring with you...

Ideas

Options & extras

Silver
Gold
Gold plating
Chain
Options & extras are not included in your ticket, but will be available to add during your workshop. Metals are priced by weight.

What's included

Introduction to what wax carving is

Steve will start you off with an explanation of waxes, looking at various example pieces and an introduction to the tools.

Design evaluation

Come with an idea either a sketch or a pinterest board and Steve will discuss how it's possible and how to get started

Carving & Tools

Spend the day using files, micromotors, japanese saws, burrs and other specialist equipment to create your idea

Opportunity to cast

At the end of the day Steve will weigh your pieces and give you a rough idea of cost and you can choose the metal you would like to cast in

Tea & light freshments

Good to know

Small classes

Our class size is limited to 6-8 people so you always have plenty of contact with the tutor

Sustainable materials

At Silver & Steel all of the silver and gold we use in our jewellery workshops is recycled either in house from workshop scrap or from our supplier who sells recycled precious metals

Under 18s welcome

When accompanied by an adult with their own ticket - just let us know beforehand as we have extra paperwork

LGBTQ+ and inclusive

Everyone is welcome at Silver & Steel, we're committed to welcoming and platforming jewellery designers from all backgrounds and experiences

Catch up at open sessions

No need to fret about falling behind, you can refresh your skills or catch up a missed course class at one of our regular Thursday drop-in sessions

Hosted by

Captain Grimace
Steve
Steve has an informal free flow teaching style and a rare ability to turn creative challenges into practical solutions. He helps students realise a specific idea, overcome a technical problem, or push a design further, he brings deep knowledge, patience and ingenuity to the process — often inventing or adapting tools along the way to achieve exactly what is needed.

The venue

Silver & Steel

A one of a kind jewellery studio in Bedminster, Bristol. We use recycled silver and gold in all of our workshops and host jewellery specific events and development courses.

74 East Street
Bedminster
Bristol BS3 4EY

Venue accessibility

A member of staff will need to open the door for you as you arrive, so please do let us know to expect you. There is a gentle ramp from the doorway into the venue tested by a self-propelled wheelchair user who had no issues navigating it solo.

The floor is smooth and we leave plenty of room to navigate the space. Our workshop table heights have been chosen with chair users in mind and a floor plan available on request.

We do not have an official disabled toilet but it is very roomy. There is a small bump to roll over on the way into the back of the venue, it should be easy enough to roll over in a  chair, as it is in a doorway, but we are happy to help you if needed.

We can offer you a more accessible clamp tool set-up to help you if you have arthritis /  weaker hand strength

We are happy to lower our music for you if you need, but in general we keep it at an ambient level for comfort.

Jewellery making and silversmithing is a physical craft and we would like to support you as much as possible in getting the outcome you are hoping for.

If you require extra assistance with using tools please let us know in advance and we are happy to prepare and research alternatives if needed.

We offer discounts on workshops where we can based on mutual aid and self-declaration. These are available via our YUUP booking system.

Getting to the venue

The closest car parks is Little Paradise, about a 3 minute walk. Alternatively, Hereford Street, Sheene Road and Diamond Street car parks are all within a short walking distance.

There is very limited on street parking, with pay & display and residents parking areas on surrounding streets.

There are many publicly available bike racks on East Street, including a couple of posts right outside the shop. We recommend thoroughly locking your bicycle.

Bus routes 24, 43, 74, 75, 76, 512, P1, X91, SB7 and the M1 Metrobus all stop nearby at East Street, Dalby Avenue, or Dean Lane.

We are about 6 minutes on foot from Bedminster Train Station (BMT) with regular services into the city and towards Weston-super-Mare, and a 25-minute walk from Bristol's main train station, Bristol Temple Meads (BRI).