296. Join the FREE Week of Wax Challenge: Creative Jewellery design Without Expensive Metal

In this episode, Jess is joined by jeweller and wax tutor Elin Horgan to introduce Week of Wax - a free 5-day online wax carving course starting on 2nd February and open for enrolment now. They explore what wax jewellery is, why it's such an accessible and creative material to work with, and walk through each project you'll make during the week, from carved rings and granulation to charms, build-up techniques, and a classic signet ring. Whether you're completely new to wax carving or already working in wax, this episode will help you understand where to start and how wax can fit into your jewellery practice. 👉 Sign up for the free Week of Wax now https://www.jewellersacademy.com/week-of-wax   Key moments 01:02 – Introduction & Week of Wax overview What Week of Wax is, who it's for, and why it was created alongside the Wax Diploma. 02:39 – Meet Elin Horgan Introduction to Elin, wax tutor and practising jeweller. 03:07 – Getting started with wax carving Why wax can feel overwhelming at first and how structure helps beginners. 04:22 – Why wax is ideal for experimentation Affordability, rising metal prices, and why wax is perfect for exploration. 05:23 – Casting options & real-world examples Casting wax jewellery in silver, gold, brass, and bronze. 06:22 – Day 1: Wax carved ring Why rings are a perfect first wax project. 08:58 – Using wax tubes How wax tubes simplify the carving process. 10:41 – Day 2: Granulation in wax Adding texture using granules and heat pens. 13:03 – Day 3: Wax charms (taught by Jessica) Designing and carving small charms for jewellery collections. 14:30 – Turning wax designs into collections Using moulds and repeatable components in jewellery businesses. 16:36 – Day 4: Build-up technique heart pendant Melting and building wax instead of carving. 18:16 – Finding your personal style in wax Geometric vs organic approaches and mixing techniques. 19:12 – Day 5: Signet ring with Stelios Karantonas A more technical project focusing on symmetry and scale. 20:37 – Why signet rings work so well in wax Engraving, surface design, and creative possibilities. 21:47 – How to approach the Week of Wax Do all five days or dip in — lifetime access included. 24:05 – Encouragement for first-time wax carvers Why wax is playful, forgiving, and meditative. 25:22 – Wax Diploma & next steps Time commitment, diploma start date, and how to learn more. 26:39 – Where to find Elin Horgan Elin's Website Elin on Instagram 27:00 – Final thoughts & invitation to join Sharing work, learning together, and enjoying the process.