Wax Carving for Jewelry with Kate Wolf - 2018 calendar
If you're interested in carving wax for lost wax cast jewelry, you can't do better than taking classes with Kate Wolf. She is, by any measure, a master of wax carving. Sometimes referred to as "the female MacGuyver," Kate not only designs her own line of incredible wax carving tools, she also teaches carving all over the country. Below is her full listing of workshops for the remainder of 2018. Most of her classes are held at her studio in Portland, Maine, but not all, so be sure to check the locations.
The Wolf Designs studio, Portland, Maine.
Workshops at Wolf Designs is hosting quality workshops on Wax Carving and Sculpting, Jewelry Illustration and Design. We also offer Open Studio Days and consultation on many aspects of jewelry manufacturing and model making.
Maine Workshops are held at Wolf Designs Studio Classroom, in Portland, Maine– two blocks from spectacular Casco Bay. Using macro-video technology, demos are viewed on monitors at ultra-high magnification. This gives students a clear understanding of the processes shown.
Class sizes are small, so register early!
Workshops are filled on a first registered basis. A 50% deposit will guarantee space in class. Payment in full (and materials fee, when applicable) is due on the first day of class.
If a cancellation is made at least 30 days before the beginning of a class, a full refund minus a $50 cancellation fee will be issued. If a cancellation is made less than 30 days before the beginning of class, there is no refund (unless it is a full class, and a we can find someone to take the spot– in which case there will be a full refund minus a $100 cancellation fee). We almost always have a waitlist on classes. It is difficult to fill workshop spots at the last minute- and we often have one or two last minute cancellations. When we can’t fill the cancelled spot- Wolf Designs loses the income from that spot (50% of the tuition.)
To register for classes with Kate Wolf in Portland,
call (207) 871-1343 or contact Kate
(Other workshop locations are linked for registration)
Wax Carving Intensive Workshop with Kate Wolf
Wax is an amazing material. In this hands-on workshop we will explore innovative approaches to wax carving with an emphasis on encouraging confidence and creativity. We will explore how to transform scribbles into resolved designs; layout; carving rings, bezels and partial bezels for cabochons and faceted stones; contour-fit shadow bands; hollow forms and mirror images; flame techniques; textures; faux granulation; pierced out work; hollowing; finishing, repairing; toolmaking and more. Learn how to rapidly and accurately remove excess material using the flex shaft for affordable lathe and milling processes. We will be working with Wolf Milling Wax™. There will be live, highly magnified demos of many wax techniques. This workshop covers many techniques. Expect to finish a couple of projects, and leave with a few pieces in process. All skill levels welcome.
July 30-August 3, 2018, Mon-Fri, Wolf Designs, Portland, Maine $950 includes materials.
September 10-14, 2018, Mon-Fri, Wolf Designs, Portland, Maine $950 includes materials.
October 8-12, 2018, Mon-Fri, Wolf Designs, Portland, Maine $950 includes materials.
Oct 29-Nov 2, 2018 Mon-Fri Rio Grande, Albuquerque, NM
November 12-16, 2018, Mon-Fri, Creative Side Jewelry Academy, Austin, Texas
Wax Figurative & Projects Carving Workshop
with Kate Wolf
*For those who have taken a class with Kate Wolf. Looking for a refresher on techniques that were covered in a previous class? Do you want to explore new techniques? Do you want help with a project? Kate spends one-on-one time with each student, and like a trained monkey, does whatever demonstrations they would like on wax carving, finishing, design development, production issues and more. Emphasis is placed on helping each student take their skills to a higher level, get fired up and have some fun. Bring ongoing projects or get a good start on something new. This dynamic workshop is always different as it is based on each student’s projects.
September 21-23,* Fri-Sun, 3 days, Wolf Designs, Portland, Maine WAITLIST
(*all skill levels, previous students only.)
Wax- Freehand Lathe and Carving Techniques
with Kate Wolf
Turn your flex shaft into a lathe! We’ll make rings, bezels, vessels and more… In this two day, hands on workshop we will use Wolf Waxes and Wax Carving Tools to learn affordable lathe techniques using a flex shaft. Students will make rings, bezels for round cabochons and facetted stones; earrings, vessels, hollow beads and more. We will also learn how to hollow the waxes, play with surface embellishment, piercing, carving, and heat techniques. We will attach bezels to rings and and finish the waxes. Learn helpful shortcuts and use handy, efficient tools to get the most professional results out of your wax carving to create beautiful pieces, ready for casting. Kate will discuss how to minimize casting problems so you get the professional results you want!
June 25-27, 2018, Mon-Wed, (9-5) 3 day, Wolf Designs, Portland, Maine.
All skill levels.
Rings, Rings, Rings Wax Carving Workshop
with Kate Wolf
In this hands on workshop we’ll be working with Wolf Milling Wax, carving rings with and without stones. Learn how to layout, trim, size, carve, hollow and finish waxes. We’ll explore surface textures, flame techniques and use Wolf Relief Wax to make raised decorative surface embellishments. We’ll use Wolf’s Touch-Up Wax to adjust settings and fix surface imperfections. Learn time saving techniques using the Wolf Trimmer to quickly and accurately remove the bulk of material. We’ll discuss how to make your pieces to minimize casting defects.
June 28-29, 2018, Thur-Fri, (9-5) 2 day, Wolf Designs, Portland, Maine.
All skill levels.
Here are a couple of videos of Kate in action!
In addition to being a master carver and teacher, Kate is also responsible for the Wolf's Precision Wax Carvers (a line of tools which are the best on the market, in my opinion. These tools completely changed my carving - all of a sudden, I could actualize what I could see in my mind's eye in a way I couldn't before. When it comes to wax tools, these are the one thing I can't do without. AND they also come in micro size!) She also developed her own line of waxes, and is also behind a whole range of ingenious tools for working with carving wax.
A little personal testimonial - I haven't had the pleasure of studying with Kate, but I am lucky enough to own some of her tools. Below are some pieces I carved using the Wolf's Precision Wax Carvers. I can't say enough good things about these tools! They transformed my ability to carve what's in my mind's eye by improving my accuracy, the contours let you to reach into tricky spots, and the smart design with the color coded stripes means you always grab the right tool which makes for a more fluid process. Kate Wolf's carving tools give an extraordinary advantage over every other set of tools I've ever used.
