answers to your questions
Is this course suitable for beginners?
This course is designed for complete beginners to Mitsuro Hikime and takes you through how to make your own wax (Mitsuro) and how to pull and stretch the wax in shapes (Hikime).
Do I need to learn how to solder?
Being able to solder is not vital for starting out with this technique because the joining e.g. for a ring shank, can be done in the wax. However, being able to solder will expand your design possibilities with this technique. In this course Lorna does teach you how to solder a jump ring to a pendant.
What is the format of this course?
This is a fully online course. It was professionally filmed with Lorna and is pre-recorded so you can watch it whenever you’re ready. You get lifetime access so can go back and watch when you want. You can also save or download the notes and full tools and materials list.
What techniques are covered in this course?
On this course you will learn how to:
Make your own traditional Mitsuro Hikime wax from scratch
Master the two core Mitsuro pulling techniques
Create organic textures, striations and flowing forms in wax
Make a variety of Mitsuro rings including seamless and swooping designs
Work with thinner Mitsuro wire and delicate forms
Design freeform and statement jewellery pieces
Combine Mitsuro with traditional jewellers waxes
Add wax granules and texture details to your designs
Plan pieces that can later incorporate stone setting and keum boo
Troubleshoot common Mitsuro challenges and problems
Prepare, clean up and shape your castings after casting
Solder and refine your finished jewellery pieces
Explore traditional finishing techniques including depletion gilding
Add gold using keum boo techniques
Create different surface finishes including oxidised effects
Burnish, polish and professionally finish your jewellery pieces
Does this course cover the casting?
Jewellers making with this process will usually get the pieces cast by a traditional caster and Lorna covers in the course how to design your pieces for successful casting and how to wrap them for shipping. The Mitsuro wax is best cast by a professional because, by it’s nature, it is thinner than more traditional jewellers wax designs. However if you would like to experiment with casting at home, do take a look at our Sandcasting for Jewellers course.
Does this course cover stone setting?
No. While Lorna does explain how to design pieces that can later incorporate stones, this course is focused specifically on the Mitsuro Hikime process itself.
You’ll learn how to create your own wax forms, shape and refine your designs, prepare them for casting, and finish and polish the final pieces. The course also explores techniques such as keum boo and patinas to enhance the beautiful organic striations created through the Mitsuro Hikime process.
If you’d like to explore wax carving more deeply - including multiple stone setting techniques - we recommend our one-year Diploma in Wax Jewellery. The Mitsuro Hikime course is included within the Diploma alongside a wider range of wax and stone setting skills.
How do I find a caster?
We recommend that you do an online search for jewellery casters in your country and have a look at any reviews you can find. You can also ask for recommendations in jewellers Facebook groups or local groups. Do give your caster a call and explain exactly what you would like them to do so they can advise you further on the best way to ship your wax to them etc.
What if I’m worried about wasting metal while practising?
The beauty of this technique is that you’re not working with metal, you’re working with wax. You can perfect your designs in wax and only when you’re completely happy with them, you can send them for casting in the metal of your choice. There is no need to worry about wasting metal with this technique.
Is this traditional Mitsuro Hikime or inspired by the technique?
Lorna teaches you the traditional Mitsuro Hikime technique. This is the most comprehensive online course for this technique in the world.
What tools and materials do I need to complete the projects on this course?
The following is a full list of the tools and materials for this course. We recommend that you watch the course through before buying anything so you can purchase what you need for the projects you’d like to make.
Tools to make the Mitsuro wax
Hot plate and mini pan - alternative to this is a mini chocolate fondue set
Some wooden skewers
A small sieve (plastic or metal, either is ok)
Scissors
Gauze squares
Binding wire
Measuring scales
3 Small plastic bowls/tupperware for measuring
1 Medium sized plastic bowl
Baking paper
Ingredients for making Mitsuro
Bee’s Wax (pure, not with added perfumes of paraffin)
Pine resin (in shards preferred)
Paraffin (in pellets preferred) You could also use red mould-a-wax
Tools for working with Mitsuro
Ring Mandrel
Masking take
A Candle
A plastic mat
Talc if needed
Scalpel
Wood Clay modelling tools
Optional - Max Wax pen or electirc carving tool
Optional - dombing punches
For Clean-up and Finishing:
Selection of ball burrs and cross cut burrs
Basic bench tools (files, saws etc)
Soldering set up
Burnisher
Oxidising solution (optional)
