Intro to Jewelry & Metal Casting Techniques | Fall 2026

Jewelry Making Classes, Nelson BC

Intro to Jewelry & Metal Casting Techniques

Water, Broom, Cuttlebone & Sand Casting

Step into the heat and learn to pour molten metal like a professional goldsmith. Melt, pour, and shape brass into wearable forms across three progressive Saturday workshops on Sinixt Territory in Ymir, BC. No experience needed for Level 1, just curiosity.

Note: This series is the prerequisite for Intro to Lost Wax Casting.

🔨 Workshop Dates & Times

Saturdays | 12:30 to 3:30 PM (Level 3 runs 12:30 to 4:30 PM)
Choose the full bundle or a single session from the dropdown menu above:

- Oct 17 | Level 1: Water & Broom Casting
- Oct 24 | Level 2: Cuttlebone Casting
- Nov 7 | Level 3: Sand Casting

💎 Tuition Options

Full 3-Session Bundle: $395 $349 Early Bird, save $46 through Oct 3, 2026, 11:59 PM

Single Sessions: Level 1 $145 | Level 2 $155 | Level 3 $175

Levels 2 and 3 require Level 1 or equivalent. Materials and studio costs included, nothing extra to pay.

👉 SCROLL TO TOP TO SELECT DATE & REGISTER

TOTAL VALUE PACKAGE: WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Your registration covers all casting supplies, gases, studio overhead, and up to 15g of brass per session for in-class use.

Professional Studio Access & Tools:
⚒️ Full use of the casting station, ventilation, and Little Smith torches.
🧰 Access to crucibles, sand casting flasks, and carving tools.
🥽 Protective gear: Shade 3 green welding glasses and leather aprons.

Materials Provided:
🧪 Level 1: Corn straw broom / Level 2: Natural cuttlefish bones / Level 3: Specialized sand and Delft clay.
🪙 Up to 15 grams of brass per session.
🛒 Additional brass, silver, or gold available for purchase in studio.

Casting Level 1: Command the Torch

Water & Broom Casting

(Swipe to see process photos)

🔥 Command the Torch, Safely
Learn real torch safety alongside your first melt and pour, so you leave knowing how to handle fire with control, not just watching it happen.

💧 Water Casting
Pour molten metal into water to create organic, one-of-a-kind forms.

🌾 Broom Casting
Pour molten brass into bundled straw for delicate, tube-like textures.

Casting Level 2: Nature's Ancient Mold

Cuttlebone Casting

(Swipe to see process photos)

🪸 Carve a Cuttlebone Mold
Hand-carve directly into cuttlefish bone, a jeweler's secret centuries old.

🌊 Capture a Natural Texture
Pour into your carved mold to catch the ethereal, woodgrain pattern only bone can leave behind.

🐚 Skip the Machinery
Get highly detailed results with hand tools alone, no expensive equipment required.

Casting Level 3: Precision & Texture

Sand Casting with Delft Clay

(Swipe to see process photos)

🏺 Pack a Casting Flask
Pack sand, cut sprues, and set air vents so metal flows cleanly into your mold.

🔁 Reproduce Many Small Objects
Turn a shell, button, or carved charm into solid metal with crisp, repeatable detail.

🎯 Bridge Organic and Intentional
Move from the free-form results of Levels 1 and 2 into designs you can plan and repeat on purpose.

🤓 Skill-Building Focus

This series is designed to build technical skills. Casting is unpredictable; I'll help you troubleshoot defects and talk through your results so your confidence grows with every pour.

Instructor

I'm Samonte, a Filipinx, non-binary goldsmith with a Jewelry Studio in Ymir, BC. Since 2015, my craft has taken me from student to instructor at Kootenay Studio Arts. From there, I spent four years in an apprenticeship with master goldsmith Paul Durkin, restoring heirloom gold at Lauener Brothers Jewellery in Trail, BC.

I founded Samonte Cruz Studios to demystify fine metalwork and offer accessible learning opportunities in the Kootenays. Whether you're here to tackle your first solder joint or cast your first piece, you'll find a supportive, attentive environment built for real bodies, real limits, and zero intimidation. No experience needed: pull up a chair and let's create. I can't wait to see what you make!

STUDIO LOGISTICS

What to Bring:
- N95 mask & safety glasses
- Hearing protection
- Closed-toed shoes
- Hair tie for longer hair
- Apron or clothes you don't mind getting dirty

Class Cancellation & Refund Policy
No refunds for missed classes or failed castings. Notify me 24+ hours in advance if sick to receive a class credit. Make-up class or credit issued if canceled due to instructor illness or inclement weather.

Available for Purchase in Studio:
- Ear plugs & N95 masks
- Silicone polishing wheels & burs
- Gold and silver (upon request)
- Additional cuttlefish bones

How Accessible Is the Studio?

Parking & Entry: Free street parking right outside the studio. No stairs to get in.

Washroom: The studio washroom is not wheelchair accessible. If this is a barrier for you, contact me before booking so I can help find what works.

Seating: Adjustable-height chairs at every bench.

Physical Demands: Metalsmithing takes a certain level of hand and arm strength and coordination. I work with chronic pain and physical limitations myself, and I have tool and bench adaptations built from that experience. Tell me what you're working with and I'll help figure out what works for your body.

Sensory Environment: The torch hisses and occasionally pops, and flux, pickle and hot metal produce mild chemical and metallic smells. The floor is concrete and stays cool, so wear warm footwear and bring layers.

Animals: Service animals welcome with advance notice. I share the studio with my two small dogs, who stay in a separate room during class. If dog presence affects you, let me know in advance.

Samonte Cruz Studios operates on the traditional and unceded territories of the Sinixt, who are not extinct. I also acknowledge the overlapping land claims of the Ktunaxa, Secwepemc, and Syilx Nations through the colonial land claims process. I respect this land and graciously defer to the knowledge and wisdom of their elders.

Ignite Your Torch. Learn to Pour Molten Metal With Your Own Two Hands. Only a Few Seats Available, Reserve Yours Today!