Printermedia Resident Jessica Milum launches beginner Lost Wax Modelling workshop at Howe Street Studios on April 25

The lost wax casting technique is an ancient process of creating wax models and preparing them for casting. On April 25th, from 10 AM to 1 PM, you can join a beginner-friendly workshop led by artist Jessica Milum at 1265 Howe Street, Vancouver. This hands-on experience will guide you through designing and carving your own wax pendant, ring, or small object, which will then be cast in sterling silver and returned to you within two weeks.

Facilitated as a collaboration between the Vancouver Metal Arts Association-supported Printermedia Residency and Malaspina Printmakers Society, the community invites non-metalsmiths, hobbyists, or students who want to dip their toes into a new method, create a unique gift, or meet other artists over a fun activity. It is a great opportunity to get started with this process in a supportive and creative environment.

What You Will Learn in the Workshop

The lost-wax casting process is an ancient technique that allows artists to create detailed metal objects by first shaping them in wax and preparing them for casting. In this workshop, you will:

• Design and sketch your piece: Start by brainstorming and drawing your idea with guidance from Jessica.

• Carve and model your wax: Use carving tools to shape your wax into the form you want.

• Understand the casting process: Learn how your wax model will be transformed into sterling silver.

• Finish your piece: Jessica will polish and finish your silver item and send it back to you within two weeks.

  
  

This step-by-step approach ensures you gain hands-on experience while creating something personal and lasting.

Left Image: Wax Carving in Process | Right Image: Final Polished Pieces

Workshop Agenda

The workshop is designed to fit into a focused three-hour session with clear steps:

• Welcome and Introduction (15 minutes)

Meet Jessica, learn about the lost wax casting technique, and get an overview of the day.

• Design and Sketching (15 minutes)

Develop your idea with simple sketches and discuss your design with the instructor.

• Wax Carving and Modelling (90 minutes)

Dive into carving your wax piece using provided tools and materials.

• Final Touches and Wrap-Up (30 minutes)

Refine your wax model and prepare it for casting. Jessica will explain what happens next.

This structure balances instruction with creative time, so you can focus on making your piece.

What’s Included in the Workshop

You don’t need to bring anything except your creativity. The workshop provides:

• All wax, carving tools, and materials including 10 grams of sterling silver for casting your piece

• Step-by-step guidance from Jessica throughout the session

• Your finished silver piece returned to you within two weeks after the workshop

• Light snacks and drinks to keep you refreshed

  
  

This all-in-one package makes it easy to try lost wax casting without any hassle.

About Jessica Milum

(she/her)

Spoken languages: English

Jess holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Victoria and completed a Jewellery Design Certificate at Whitecliffe College of Arts & Design in Auckland, New Zealand. She is currently an artist in residence with Malaspina Printmakers, in collaboration with the Vancouver Metal Arts Association. Her practice is rooted in traditional metalsmithing techniques and guided by an ongoing interest in movement, restraint, and subtle irregularity. Through a process-led approach to making, her work explores quiet shifts in form, softness within structure, and pieces that feel lived-in rather than fixed. Alongside her studio practice, Jess is passionate about creating welcoming entry points into jewellery-making through accessible workshops and shared creative spaces. 

At its core, her work reclaims what mass production has worn down: individuality, character, and joy. Each piece is made entirely by hand, and no two are ever the same—an effort to reconnect object with maker, and maker with object. These are pieces intended to be lived with: to gather meaning over time, to last, and to be passed down and held with care.

Feel free to reach out at info@jessicamilum.com or through jessicamilum.com.

How to Prepare for the Workshop

To get the most out of the session, consider:

• Bringing a few sketches or images that inspire your design

• Wearing comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit dusty

• Arriving a few minutes early to settle in and meet Jessica

  
  

No special skills are needed, just your curiosity and willingness to try something new.