One-on-one Claw and Organic Claw Setting Workshop

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One-on-one Claw and Organic Claw Setting Workshop

Discover the art of creating unique rings or pendant designs using the build-up wax technique!

Jaf Elias

5.0 (21)

ClassBento donates with every booking to

2 hours

1 on 1

$264 (Afterpay available)

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Overview

Reviews

Teacher

What you'll do

In this class, you'll learn how to make unique ring or pendant designs using the build-up wax technique with a soldering iron, incorporating both traditional claw and organic claw settings (stone-in-place).

Workshop overview:

00:00 – 00:10 | Welcome + Introduction

Brief intro to lost-wax casting and the build-up method
Safety with wax soldering irons
Overview of suitable gemstones for stone-in-place
Show examples of finished claw and organic claw wax builds

00:10 – 00:30 | Demo: Basic Claw Setting Using Wax Build-Up

Step-by-step demo of building a simple 4-prong claw setting using wax and a soldering iron
Discuss structure, symmetry, stone height, and attachment to ring/pendant base
Tips for stability and successful casting

You will begin your own piece using a ring mandrel or a flat acrylic sheet base. Choose a stone and begin building up a basic claw setting around it.

00:30 – 01:15 | Demo: Organic Claw Setting + Freeform Techniques

Demonstrate using wax flow to create whimsical, freeform or asymmetrical claw-like shapes
Emphasize creative expression: curved prongs, multiple stones, layering texture
Tips on blending structure with artistic flair

You will create your own organic piece—this could be a nature-inspired ring, pendant, or abstract setting using melted wax and wax additions.

01:15 – 01:40 | Individual Build + Refinement

You will refine either one or both of your settings
Add extra support, smooth joins, refine claws, check stone stability
One-on-one support to troubleshoot and enhance design

01:40 – 02:00 | Finishing + Next Steps

Final touch-ups: check thickness, stability, proportion

Note: This session focuses on wax design only. Casting, polishing, and delivery of your finished pieces will be handled by Jaf after the workshop.

What you'll get

Wax soldering irons (temperature-controlled)
Assorted casting wax sticks and sheets
Ring mandrels, acrylic sheets, masking tape
Assorted stones suitable for stone-in-place casting (e.g., lab-created, nano, CZ)
Wax sculpting tools, scalpel, tweezers
Demo pieces for inspiration
The finished silver pieces

Knowledge required

Beginner-friendly. No prior experience needed.

Location

120-122 Alexandra Parade, Fitzroy VIC

Verified reviews

Your teacher

Jaf Elias

5.0 (21)

Women-owned

Hi I am Jaf, of Jaf Elias Designs and I am a Contemporary Jewellery Designer and artist based in Naarm (Melbourne), and my work reflects the stories, emotions, and experiences that shape me. Jewellery, to me, is not just an art form—it is a language, a way to express the intangible, the personal, and the deeply felt. I create pieces that transcend mere adornment, becoming vessels for memory, spirituality, and transformation.

As an empath, I find solace in the whimsical, fantastical, and magical realms, drawing inspiration from the beauty found in imperfection, nostalgia, and the fleeting moments that shape our lives. My work offers an escape into these worlds, a space where the wearer can connect with something beyond the ordinary.

My creative process is intuitive and deeply personal. I combine intricate hand fabrication and complex soldering with the free-flowing nature of lost wax casting, allowing metals to take on organic, unpredictable forms. This balance of precision and spontaneity gives my work a raw, almost ancient quality—each piece feels as if it has been unearthed from another time, carrying with it a sense of history and mystery. I am drawn to textures, layers, and the interplay between polished surfaces and rugged, untouched edges.

Rings hold a particularly special place in my heart, a connection rooted in childhood memories and the sentimental weight they carry. But beyond rings, I create jewellery that tells a story—pieces that feel like heirlooms from an imagined past, infused with meaning and emotion.

Through my work, I hope to offer more than just jewellery. I want to create small, wearable worlds—pieces that invite wonder, evoke emotion, and remind us that even in the most delicate details, there is magic.

Achievements:

Finalist of Profile 2025 Competition from JMGA NSW (The Jewellers and

Metalsmiths of Australia)

Featured in Radiant Pavillion article