Wax Carving for Stone Setting with Jennifer Stenhouse, Jan 17, 2026

Saturday, January 17, 2026 
10:00 am - 2:00 pm PST

Instructor: Jennifer Stenhouse

In this class, students will learn how to carve and model wax to accommodate a wide variety of stone-setting challenges. We will work on improving wax skills by tackling more complex designs and patterns while incorporating stones as either a focus or accent component. Demonstrations will include tips and tricks used by the pros to create accurate patterns for wax models. Stone settings we will address include a wide variety of stones, including faceted, cabochon, freeform cuts, and half-drilled stones like pearls.

We will focus on designs, tools, tips, and tricks that focus on setting stones in wax models.

Beginning to Intermediate Level

Prerequisite: Basic wax working and stone setting experience skills are necessary.

All classes include the video recording, which you will have access to for 60 days after the class. The Zoom link, handouts, video(s), and other important information can be found by clicking on the individual class link on the "My Courses" page. The Zoom link and handout (if any) will be available 24 hours before the class starts.

You also get 1 free session of Open Studio Access (OSA) in the month following your class. The Zoom link can be found on the course video access page.

The class supply list is below and contains links to buy the supplies you need.

Supply List for Students

Use the links below to purchase any supplies you don't already have for your class. This site may contain Amazon and other affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, at no cost to you, we may receive a small commission on qualifying purchases.

Recommended Materials

• Faceted or cab cut stones, or small found objects to set
• For polishing waxes: denim, velvet, pantyhose, lighter fluid, dryer sheets
• Sketching and note-taking supplies
• Students are recommended to have a sample kit of waxes to work with
• Dividers
• Measuring tools
• #2 spiral saw blades
  
• Alcohol lamp
  
• Wax working tools
  
• Wax file
  
• Wax burs
• Hot tools - either electric or steel dental tools with an alcohol lamp with denatured alcohol. A hot tool is essential for building waxes and connecting waxes together.
  • Wax Max
  • Digital Wax pen. These can be found on eBay or Amazon. I always look for one that is about $50 and has a US electrical plug.

Additional wax-working tools can be found, ordered, created, or purchased locally at hardware stores. These will be discussed thoroughly on the first evening of class. Help support your local merchants! The tools listed below are helpful for working in your studio and at home to create wax models.

• Dental tools
• Exacto knife/tools 
• Sharp pointy tools
• Coarse wood files
• Piece of scrap brass
• Old broken drill bits and saw blades
• Nylon hose/fabrics
• 400-grit wet/dry sandpaper
• Craft sewing needles
• Linoleum carving tools 

Polishing and Finishing

Any tools that you’ve been using for filing, sanding, and polishing metal will work after the pieces are cast. You can also solder on parts after casting and set your stones.