Sand casting for jewelers with Brienna Hall
Sand casting has an ancient history dating as far back as the Shang Dynasty (1600-1046 BC) of China and is still used today in many sectors from large foundry items (cars and machinery) to fine jewelry. Brienna will share more information about the fascinating history of sand casting as she then goes on to teach you about the equipment, safety, and of course the process of sand casting for jewelry.
student work - sand cast rings with gemstones
Brienna Hall wearing her Sun Catcher earrings
Brienna is a jewelry artist from northern California. She has a background in sculpture and fiber arts and blends these techniques to create meaningful jewelry inspired by nature and personal significance. You can see more about Brienna and her collections on her website, Shrine Jewelry.
She frequently teaches sand casting workshops in California and explores innovative techniques to give a new spin on this ancient process.
If you want to learn this technique in a landscape full of rich history and inspiration, don’t miss your chance to attend our workshop in Italy. Brienna can help you create your own personal statement piece and infuse some mystical elements into your work.
Learn how to cast metal jewelry during a 2-day course taught by Brienna Hall. Stay for an additional 2 days after a day off of fun to learn how to cast with stones in place. If you already have basic sand casting skills and only want to add the more advanced skills you can opt to attend just the second half of the workshop.
Part 1: Basic Sand Casting for Jewelers
September 22-23
Learn to create original jewelry by casting into sand. This ancient technique does not require a burnout kiln and can be introduced to your jewelry studio without a large financial investment. Brienna will teach the basics of casting into a cope and drag (2-part) mold using red clay, recipes to make your own clay, how to sand cast horizontally and vertically, how to modify flasks, and also how to make 3-part molds. We can use found objects or your own shaped models to cast into the sand that can be used over and over again.
Part 2: Sand Casting with Gemstones
September 25-26
After learning the basics, stay for some additional days to learn the next step - casting gemstones into place on your jewelry objects. Elevate your work with some sparkly bling embedded in the precious metals you use. Brienna will cover multiple ways to incorporate gemstones with different setting options from flush set, prong set, tube set and more! Also casting with other items besides gems i.e. cremains, beach sand, rocks etc. We will cover the core casting system which incorporates sand casting with vacuum assist and allows for casting a greater variety of shapes.
Our workshops are limited to a maximum of 6 students so that each student is certain to get individualized attention.
What is included:
Access to the studio and all necessary tools during the workshop sessions
Refreshments (drinks and snacks provided during workshop sessions)
Meals include: catered lunches during the workshop days, a welcome dinner the night before part 1 (basic sand casting) and a final dinner at the end of part 2 (sand casting with gemstones). Bonus pizza party on the free day for anyone staying for both parts.
Assistance with transportation once you arrive or for your departure. If you arrive directly to Salerno, we can pick you up from the train station in Salerno or the Amalfi Coast airport (gratis). For arrivals to Napoli we can suggest our hired private driver service we use (for a fee).
Help planning or suggesting other tourist activities in the region (also in Rome if that destination is included in your travel plans).
What to bring:
Sketchbook for drawings and note taking. Otherwise, we’ll have some blank paper available.
Objects you may want to use for shapes to cast to create your molds. Brienna will provide specifics about this before the workshop begins. She also has ring blanks in various sizes and a collection of other objects to use for casting forms.
Brienna will have student kits for each workshop that include the casting material and stones needed. Part 1 - $75, Part 2 - $95 (USD can be paid in cash directly to Brienna)
A swimsuit so you can take a break if you like and refresh with a dip in our small pool. (Bring a swimming cap too for the big pool at the agriturismo!)
Where to stay:
Tenuta d'Amore - agriturismo resort
via Monticelli, 11
San Mango Piemonte, SA 84090 Italy
http://www.tenutadamore.it
Immersed in the countryside, it is located minutes away from our workshop. This beautiful venue has a large swimming pool and a breakfast buffet is included. The restaurant is excellent. Participants can walk to our studio in about 5-10 minutes.
Although it isn't necessary for the workshop to have your own transportation, if you do wish to rent a car during your stay to have more freedom to move about in your time off there is ample parking available at the agriturismo.
Additional workshop info:
Airfare and accommodations are not included in the price
We can assist with transfers to your hotel if you arrive to the train station in Salerno on the arrival day. Those arriving on flights to Napoli will need a transfer to Salerno that is not included. Using public services from Napoli airport can be confusing and are not recommended. We are happy to help arrange a trusted private driving service.
There is a newly opened (2024) small airport servicing the Amalfi Coast (Salerno - QSR) and it is much closer to the venue. Airlines serviced here include easyJet, Ryanair, and Volotea. We can assist with transfers from this venue too.
If you arrive earlier or stay later for some touring in the area, we can suggest excursions and help plan activities to venues such as going on a scenic drive on the Amalfi Coast, taking a ferry to Capri, visiting the Greek temples of Paestum, a private boat outing on the Amalfi Coast, and more. If you enjoy hiking, we also have 2 VIP tours that we conduct for either the Path of the Gods or a beautiful waterfall tour through the Valle delle Ferriere from Amalfi.
The workshop classroom and studio workspace is located in a private residence. There are 2 cats who live in the home (in case you have allergies) and the home is multi-level with the main working level on the second floor. There is no elevator, so stairs are necessary (a consideration for those with knee problems). There is a small swimming pool (waist deep) available for anyone who wishes to take a break during the workshop to relax or cool off when it’s hot - bring your swimsuit!
Workshop fee - Part 1: 725€, Part 2: 725€ (includes IVA - Italian taxes)
Materials fee - Part 1: $75, Part 2: $95 (USD can be paid directly to Brienna)
deposit - Part 1 or 2: 250€ or 500€ if attending both to confirm your spot
balance due by July 22nd
What Brienna’s past students have been saying:
“It was SO fun and I loved meeting the other jewelers. You’re a great teacher and made me fall in love with this technique. Can’t wait for my kit to come in so I can get right back to it.”
““I LOVE IT” Thank you so much for an incredible weekend of discovery. You are a such a great teacher and I can’t wait to explore this technique.”
“Thank you for the wonderful class I learned so much and have so many ideas I want to try
using my new skill. See you in September for the stone setting class.”
“I had such a fantastic weekend taking Brienna’s sand casting jewelry class! I’d sign up again in a heartbeat!!!
Brienna is a brilliant teacher and an incredible Artist. She taught us the casting process and within an hour we were all casting amazing treasures. She was there for each student helping and guiding. It was an amazing class. The hardest part was literally having it end … it was an incredible weekend.
Thank You Brienna.”
“I loved taking this class. I learned so much—most especially that this method is more forgiving in terms of time and materials, so I felt more at ease with risky artistic choices. Brienna is such a great teacher—knowledgeable, patient and engaging and encouraging. I highly recommend this class and would take any others she offers.”
“I have taken several classes in sand casting with Brienna and they are always excellent.
Brienna is a wonderful instructor—knowledgeable and patient. She helps each student throughout however many projects they want to do. Her advice at the beginning on how metal will behave in any given design is invaluable and her insight on when something doesn’t work is equally so. Brienna’s enthusiasm is infectious and makes her classes a joy to take. I highly recommend Brienna’s classes and plan to take as many as I can.”