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!



2 hours Location Fitzroy Class size 1 on 1   $329 (Afterpay available)

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

Upcoming dates for One-on-one Claw and Organic Claw Setting Workshop

Times are Melbourne time. Dates and prices as of 24 Oct 2026, 2:29am; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

1 upcoming date between 30 Oct 2026 and 30 Oct 2026.

  • Fri 30 Oct 2026, 3pm-5pm
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

CLAW Creative, 120-122 Alexandra Parade, Fitzroy VIC

One-on-one Claw and Organic Claw Setting Workshop location
Verified reviews

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Recent reviews of One-on-one Claw and Organic Claw Setting Workshop

  • 5/5 from Oskar Holocene, attended Nov 2025: Right from the beginning, Jaf was so warm and welcoming. As a neurodiv person, it was such a breath of fresh air to finally have a teacher for a workshop who was asking the important and caring questions (so naturally too) to ensure I was comfortable. It's the little things that go so far in making a comfortable experience for someone like me being an NDIS participant. Whether it was with pacing, showing me around the studio, the level of sun light in my eyes, where my spot was originally placed versus what was more comfortable for me etc. This combined with Jaf's skills, passion, relaxed friendly energy and straight forward communication and guidance that wasn't the usual cookie cut "first you do this, then you do this", a made the activity and the craft as a whole very accessible and approachable. I had such an amazing time and highly highly recommend people do any of the workshops that Jaf has to offer. I'll definitely be back because I've for sure caught the wax casting bug! Thanks so much :)!
  • 5/5 from Olivia Hines, attended Jul 2025: Nice venue and lots of creative freedom with Jaf! Snacks and water were provided. Great value.
Your teacher

Jaf Elias
Jaf Elias

5.0 (46)
female Women-owned

Hi, I’m Jaf, the artist behind jaf.elias Jewels, a Contemporary Jewellery designer and artist based in Naarm (Melbourne). My work reflects the stories, emotions, and experiences that shape me. To me, jewellery is more than an art form; it is a language through which I express the intangible, the personal, and the deeply felt. I create pieces that go beyond adornment, becoming vessels for memory, spirituality, and transformation.
As an empath, I find inspiration in whimsical, fantastical, and magical realms, drawing on the beauty of imperfection, nostalgia, and the fleeting moments that shape our lives. My work invites people into these worlds, offering a space to 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, as though each piece has been unearthed from another time, carrying its own 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, rooted in childhood memories and the sentimental weight they carry. Beyond rings, I create jewellery that tells a story: pieces that feel like heirlooms from an imagined past, infused with meaning, wonder, and emotion.
Through my work, I hope to offer more than jewellery. I want to create small, wearable worlds that invite curiosity, evoke emotion, and remind us that even in the most delicate details, there is magic.
jaf.elias Jewellery Workshops
As my jewellery practice continues to grow, so does the interest in my workshops. To welcome more students and offer greater flexibility with class dates and times, I am expanding my teaching practice into "jaf.elias Jewellery Workshops".
This expansion means that, alongside teaching myself, I will be welcoming a small team of instructors trained by me to lead selected classes. Each instructor is guided by my teaching methods, techniques, and approach to jewellery making, ensuring that the quality and learning experience remain consistent across our workshops.
"The heart of the experience remains the same." Our classes continue to be held in a private, personal setting, with individual attention and guidance throughout your creative journey. Your instructor will depend on availability, but you can feel confident knowing that each teacher has been trained under my guidance and follows the same standards I have established.
With more instructors joining the workshops, we can offer more class dates and greater opportunities for you to explore jewellery making, develop new skills, and bring your creative ideas to life, all while keeping the intimate, hands-on experience that makes our workshops special.
Whether you're a complete beginner or an aspiring jeweller looking to develop your skills, there will be more opportunities to learn, experiment, and discover the magic of making jewellery by hand.
I look forward to welcoming you into our little world of creativity and sharing the art of jewellery making with you.
Achievements
  • Finalist, Profile 2025 Competition — Jewellers and Metalsmiths Group of Australia (JMGA NSW).
  • Featured in Radiant Pavilion — highlighting contemporary jewellery and the creative community in Naarm.

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class 0 V48I01Z33L 34c052b7f77f35dccea660a6ce51910d 1 production melbourne Melbourne VIC AU melbourne