Introduction to Wax Modeling for Metal Jewelry
A course by Alicia Goodwin , Contemporary Jeweler
Learn how to use jeweler's wax to carve molds for original accessories that are ready to cast in metal
Designing your own jewelry is a rewarding way to express your ideas. ? Contemporary jeweler Alicia Goodwin uses the wax carving technique, which is an easily accessible and highly forgiving form of creation—perfect for new jewelry-makers. As an expert in this craft , Alicia has created eye-catching pieces for her brand, Lingua Nigra, and for clients like Juicy Couture, Nine West, Vince Camuto, and Kate Spade.
In this online course, learn to use jeweler’s wax to carve sculptural accessories that are ready to cast in metal. Alicia teaches you the secrets to this technique, and how to shape your ideas into a wearable art.
What will you learn in this online course?
19 lessons & 23 downloads
- 100% positive reviews (103)
- 7,438 students
- 19 lessons (4h 8m)
- 23 additional resources (7 files)
- Online and at your own pace
- Available on the app
- Audio: English, Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, Turkish
- English · Spanish · Portuguese · German · French · Italian · Polish · Dutch · Turkish · Romanian · Indonesian
- Level: Beginner
- Unlimited access forever
What is this course's project?
Design and carve a ring and a pendant out of wax.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
Anyone interested in exploring a creative way to design jewelry and objects using wax.
Requirements and materials
No previous knowledge is needed to take this course.
In terms of materials, you need wax carving tools, vernier calipers, steel wool, wax and jewelry saw blades, a wax mm gauge, and a few items you can find at your local hardware store. Many of these tools have more common substitutes, which your teacher specifies during the course.
Reviews
Alicia Goodwin
A course by Alicia Goodwin
Alicia Goodwin is a Chicago-based contemporary jeweler who specializes in wax carving. She discovered the art of jewelry-making as a child, but didn’t realize it was her true calling until years later while earning a degree in jewelry design. During her studies, she fell in love with the wax modeling technique, which allows her to easily explore new shapes, styles, and textures to craft truly unique accessories.
Several years after graduation, Alicia started her own jewelry line, Lingua Nigra, which is both a reflection of her influences and a look to the future. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with small designers as well as big-name brands, including Juicy Couture, Nine West, Vince Camuto, and Kate Spade. Her pieces have also been featured in the Divine Legacies in Black Jewelry collection at the National Ornamental Metal Museum of America.
Content
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U1
Introduction
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About Me
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Influences
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U2
All You Need to Start
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Tools and Materials 1
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Tools and Materials 2
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Technique Foundations 1
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Technique Foundations 2
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Technique Foundations 3
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Technique Foundations 4
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Sketching and Design 1
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Sketching and Design 2
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U3
Making the Jewelry
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Carving the Pendant 1
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Carving the Pendant 2
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Carving a Sculptural Ring 1
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Carving a Sculptural Ring 2
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Cast and Finishing Touches 1
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Cast and Finishing Touches 2
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Cast and Finishing Touches 3
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U4
Taking the Work to the Next Level
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How to Create Texture in Your Pieces
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How to Price Your Pieces
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FP
Final project
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Introduction to Wax Modeling for Metal Jewelry
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What to expect from a Domestika course
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Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
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Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
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Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
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Certificates
PlusIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
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Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
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Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
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Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
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Watch professionally produced courses
Domestika curates its teacher roster and produces every course in-house to ensure a high-quality online learning experience.
FAQs
Yes, this course is designed for beginners and covers foundational wax carving, measurement, and design techniques. No previous jewelry-making experience is required.
You’ll need jeweler’s wax, a ring mandrel, calipers, saw blades, carving tools, files, steel wool, a bench pin, and basic sketching materials. A variable speed micromotor or flex shaft is helpful but not mandatory.
You will learn to design, carve, and finish wax models for rings and pendants, transfer sketches, select tools, apply measurement techniques, and prepare wax pieces for metal casting and final jewelry finishing.
Yes, the course teaches how to develop sketches, use newsprint for design planning, and transfer those designs onto wax using markers and templates.
The course explains different wax types—blue, green, purple, and red—highlighting their hardness and ideal uses, so you can choose the right wax for your project.
Yes, the course covers creating ring blanks, sizing rings, and sculpting pendant forms in wax, from layout to finishing.
You’ll learn to use calipers, ring mandrels, and vernier calipers for precise measurements of thickness and diameter, ensuring accurate sizing and casting.
Eu amei a forma como a Alicia nos encoraja a explorar a criatividade. Seu curso tem uma ótima didática, e ela também sugere alternativas de materiais mais acessíveis para iniciantes que não podem ou não querem investir muito no começo. Outro ponto que vale ressaltar é o cuidado em nos ensinar a precificar os produtos, abordando também a parte comercial, e não apenas a técnica.
Very detailed, thank you.
Comprei o curso e avalio 100% bom.
Every thought I've had, has been answered so far in this course. I'm so happy this course exists, it's so easy to follow along and I've learned so much. I will definitely continue to reference it as I continue to work on pieces. Alicia has such a beautiful energy, I would recommend anyone who wants to get started in jewelry to take this course - it's very informative!
Muito bom curso! Recomendo bastante para quem queira começar com uma técnica mais acessível a fazer joalharia.