Studio AKASAKA · Berlin
WAX Workshops
Small-group WAX modelling workshops for a maximum of two participants, held at Studio AKASAKA in Berlin.
Using jewellery carving wax, participants create a ring directly by hand through techniques such as cutting, carving, filing, shaping and adding material. The completed WAX model is then sent to a professional casting company and cast in silver.
As each workshop is limited to a maximum of two participants, individual guidance can be adapted to each person’s ideas, working process and pace.
Wax Ring Workshop
An Introduction to WAX Modelling
No previous experience in jewellery making or WAX modelling is required.
During the workshop, you can choose between the following two approaches.
Form and Marks
Shape and surface details
Create a relatively simple ring form and add lines, marks, symbols, patterns or short text to its surface.
Rather than making the overall form highly complex, this approach allows more time to focus on the traces, marks and patterns applied to the surface.
Free Form
A more open approach to shape
Create a more freely formed ring by carving, filing, removing and adding WAX material.
As the workshop lasts approximately four hours, this approach primarily focuses on developing the overall shape of the ring. It may not be possible to add highly detailed patterns or extensive text within the same session.
With either approach, you can create an individual ring through your own decisions, experiments and working process.
- Duration
- Approximately 4 hours
- Capacity
- Maximum 2 participants
- Price
- 1 participant: €190
2 participants: €350
The Price Includes
- Jewellery carving WAX
- Use of all necessary tools
- Individual guidance during the workshop
- One ring per participant
- Up to 15 g of Silver 935 per participant
- Casting costs
- Final finishing by Studio AKASAKA
Silver exceeding the included 15 g will be charged at €4 per additional gram.
After the workshop, the completed WAX model will be sent to a professional casting company and cast in silver. Studio AKASAKA will then complete the final filing and surface finishing.
The finished piece can normally be collected from Studio AKASAKA approximately two to three weeks later.
The exact completion date may vary depending on the production schedule of the casting company.
Continuing Wax Studio
For Participants Who Have Completed the First Workshop
Continuing Wax Studio is a guided continuation programme for participants who have completed the Wax Ring Workshop.
With more working time than the introductory workshop, participants can develop more complex forms and finer details. Participants complete the process themselves, from creating the WAX model through to finishing the piece after casting.
Possible areas of work include:
- More complex ring forms
- Fine patterns, marks or lettering
- Sculptural forms
- Designs combining several elements
- Gradual, process-based development
- Filing, sanding, polishing and surface finishing
The programme consists of approximately ten hours in total, divided across two or three days.
Example Schedule
Session 1
Developing the design and creating the overall shape and structure of the ring.
Session 2
Developing details, patterns or lettering and making the final adjustments before casting.
The completed WAX model is then sent to a professional casting company and cast in silver.
Final Session
Removing the casting sprue, filing, sanding and completing the final surface finish.
Participants carry out the finishing work themselves, with technical guidance and final inspection provided by Studio AKASAKA.
As participants have already learned the basic tools and processes during the first workshop, Continuing Wax Studio allows them to work with greater independence.
It is a guided studio format in which technical and design advice is available when needed.
- Duration
- Approximately 10 hours in total
Normally divided across two or three days. - Capacity
- Maximum 2 participants
- Price
- 1 participant: €410
2 participants: €720
The Price Includes
- Use of the studio and tools
- Jewellery carving WAX
- Technical and design guidance
- Up to 15 g of Silver 935 per participant
- Casting costs
- Guidance during the post-casting finishing process
- Final inspection by Studio AKASAKA
Silver exceeding the included 15 g will be charged at €4 per additional gram.
Very large, heavy or multi-part pieces may require additional casting fees.
Where additional costs are expected, they will be discussed before the piece is sent for casting.
Booking
Workshops are available by advance booking only.
When making an enquiry, please include the following information:
- The workshop you would like to book
- Number of participants
- Preferred date and starting time
- A second preferred date
- A brief idea of what you would like to make, or any questions you may have
Once the date has been agreed, 50% of the total workshop fee must be paid by bank transfer as a deposit.
The booking is confirmed once the deposit has been received.
The remaining balance must be paid on the day of the workshop, either in cash or by bank transfer.
When paying by bank transfer on the day, please show confirmation of the transfer before the workshop begins.
Continuing Wax Studio can only be booked by participants who have completed the Wax Ring Workshop.
Rescheduling and Cancellation
Rescheduling
A workshop booking can normally be rescheduled once without an additional fee.
Requests to reschedule should generally be made at least seven days before the scheduled workshop date.
Requests made less than seven days before the workshop will be considered individually, depending on the circumstances and studio availability.
The rescheduled workshop must take place within three months of the originally booked date.
If the workshop does not take place within this three-month period, the booking will be treated as a cancellation.
In exceptional circumstances, an additional change of date may be considered, but further rescheduling cannot be guaranteed.
Cancellation by the Participant
The deposit paid at the time of booking is non-refundable.
The deposit will also not be refunded if the participant cancels the workshop or does not attend on the scheduled date.
Any other amounts already paid are also generally non-refundable.
With advance notice to Studio AKASAKA, it may be possible to transfer the booking to another participant.
If Studio AKASAKA is able to fill the cancelled workshop slot with another booking, a partial refund may be considered after deducting any costs and administrative expenses already incurred.
These terms do not limit any statutory rights available to the participant under applicable law.
Cancellation by Studio AKASAKA
If Studio AKASAKA has to cancel the workshop, participants may choose either to reschedule the workshop or receive a full refund of all workshop fees already paid.
Studio AKASAKA is not responsible for travel expenses, accommodation costs or any other expenses associated with attending the workshop.
On the Day of the Workshop
Please wear comfortable working clothes that can become dusty or marked.
Long hair should be tied back during the workshop.
Closed-toe shoes are recommended to protect your feet.
You do not need to prepare a finished design in advance. However, reference images, sketches or a simple initial idea can help the process run more smoothly.
The proposed design may need to be adjusted to ensure that it can be completed within the available workshop time and the technical requirements of the casting process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need previous experience?
No previous experience is required for the Wax Ring Workshop.
Continuing Wax Studio is available only to participants who have completed the introductory Wax Ring Workshop.
Is silver included in the price?
Yes. Up to 15 g of Silver 935 is included per participant.
Silver exceeding 15 g will be charged at €4 per additional gram.
Can I make something other than a ring?
The introductory Wax Ring Workshop is generally limited to one ring per participant.
Other types of jewellery or more complex pieces may be possible in Continuing Wax Studio following prior discussion.
Can I add letters or patterns?
Yes.
During the introductory workshop, you can choose either to create a simpler ring form with lettering, marks or patterns, or to focus on developing a more freely shaped ring.
Continuing Wax Studio is more suitable for projects that combine a complex form with detailed lettering or surface patterns.
How long does it take to receive the finished piece?
The finished piece is normally ready approximately two to three weeks after the WAX model has been completed.
The exact completion date may vary depending on the production schedule of the casting company.
Can the finished piece be posted to me?
Finished pieces are generally collected directly from Studio AKASAKA.
Can three people participate together?
No. The maximum number of participants is two.
Can I change the workshop date?
A booking can normally be rescheduled once without an additional fee.
Please contact Studio AKASAKA at least seven days before the scheduled workshop date whenever possible.
The rescheduled workshop must take place within three months of the original booking date.
About My Workshop
This workshop is not intended solely to improve technical skills.
Its purpose is to offer an enjoyable and focused time for working with your hands.
I also try to use as few specialised tools as possible, so that participants can continue experimenting with wax modelling at home, together with children or friends, much like an independent research project.
I hope that this experience can encourage an interest in making and plant the seeds for future craftspeople.
Frankfurter Allee 6
10247 Berlin
info@akasaka.studio
@akasaka.berlin