UnEarthed | Sand Casting with Sapphires
UnEarthed | Sand Casting with Sapphires

UnEarthed | Sand Casting with Sapphires


what students are saying

🎨 Creative Mastery 🛠️ Well-Equipped Studio 👩‍🏫 Expert Instruction 💎 Finished Treasures

For the first time this Spring we bring you UnEarthed, a very special workshop presented by guest tutor Kirra-lea Caynes.

In this one day workshop, Kirra, with her passion for raw materials and natural phenomena, will guide you through the process of designing and sand-casting your own sterling silver jewellery pieces or small objects with cast-in-place sapphires or gemstones. 

Over three days in September,  Kirra-lea will lead three one day workshops designed to cater to both novices with no previous jewellery experience and more experienced jewellers who are interested in adding to their skill set. Students will complete the workshop inspired, with a sense of accomplishment and with jewellery pieces polished and ready to wear.


Details
7 hours

You will learn

  • The ancient craft of sand casting silver with sapphires or gemstones set in place.

You will get

  • 30 grams of silver
  • Sapphires - synthetic or natural
  • All the consumables you need to make your projects (ie saw blades, emery paper and drill bits) as well as all the hand tools and equipment you need.
  • A Selection of teas, coffee and biscuits.

Appropriate for

Perfect for those starting out on their jewellery making journey or students wishing to expand their skills in sand casting.


Preparation

What to bring

  • A notebook and pen/pencil
  • Covered shoes
  • Ideas and creativity
  • We provide safety equipment and training on how to use all relevant equipment.

What to wear

We take safety very seriously at SquarePeg. All students must wear proper enclosed shoes (no sandals or thongs), long pants or skirts and have long hair tied back.


Your Teacher

Kirra-lea is a qualified jeweller with over 10 years experience in the trade, having learnt many traditional and contemporary metal smithing techniques. She is a multi-award winning jewellery designer and manufacturer, winning competitions including The JAA Jewellery Awards and DGA Design Awards. She was recently won the colour category and the title of Jeweller of the Year in the 2019 JAA Design competition.

Based in Melbourne, Australia Kirra-lea works as the sole manufacturer and designer from her home studio. Kirra-lea is also an accomplished sand caster and specialises in cast-in-place rough sapphires. This unique skill has enabled her to travel around Australia teaching fellow jewellers and novices alike the ancient technique. All her rough sapphires are Australian mined by small family businesses and hobbyists. Kirra-lea also makes fossicking trips to Tasmania where she finds her own rough gemstones in the pristine North East rivers.

SquarePeg Studios is delighted to welcome Kirra-lea as a guest tutor for the first time in 2020.

Organized by

SquarePeg Studios

SquarePeg Studios

846 reviews

SquarePeg Studios is a Sydney jewellery studio and school, established in 2011, we occupy a 200sq metre warehouse space in Marrickville. 

With studio spaces for 14 practising jewellers, a well-equipped workshop and busy jewellery school seeing around 50 students each week, SquarePeg Studios is a participatory community space created by and for the contemporary jewellery network of Sydney.

At SquarePeg Studios we have a passion for contemporary jewellery, we have excellent workshop facilities and a dedicated and talented team of tutors to help you learn everything you need to know to create your own jewellery designs in an inclusive and friendly environment.


5.0 (46 reviews)
Sylvia
Jul 2025
I chose to do sand casting at Square Peg Studios because I looked into teacher's personal art and resonated most with her style. I wasn't sure what to expect on the day and am happy to report that Kira-Lee is an amazing teacher. She hits the sweet spot between providing clear instructions in an time-efficient way, while being motivational and not stifling creativity. She was pragmatic and constructive. It was a beautiful, clean, functional space with so many tools we could use. I had such a fun time and am keen to go back! I was also impressed that we got to take home our leftover silver and rough sapphires at the end of the day if we wanted to. I am not a good caster (having to redo several of my creations) and still came home with a couple things I am proud to show off - put your trust in the process and some of Kirra-Lee's magic. They're also not joking about the tea/coffee/biscuits; that kitchen is kitted out!
SquarePeg Studios Jul 2025

Thanks so much, Sylvia! We’re thrilled to hear you had such a great time sand casting with Kirra-Lee. She’s a wonderful teacher who knows how to guide and encourage without getting in the way of creativity. We’re glad you loved the studio, the tools, and of course the tea and bikkies! Can’t wait to welcome you back for more making magic soon.

Joanne
Jul 2025
Fantastic class. Kirra-lea was patient and generous with her advice. Learning from a master of her craft, included so much more than you'd expect. I really enjoyed it. Square Peg studios was so beautifully organised. Thank you so much for the opportunity.
SquarePeg Studios Jul 2025

Cheers, Joanne! So glad to hear you enjoyed the class and picked up plenty of tips from Kirra-Lea. We love sharing our space with passionate makers like you hope to see you back at SquarePeg again soon.

Monica
Jul 2024
Such an informative and fun class. Very generous in supplies of Sapphires and Silver were given. We all walked out with more than 2 beautiful pieces of jewellery we were happy with, that we made ourselves. A great environment to learn in & an excellent specialized teacher

Terms

Cancellations & Refunds

If the organiser cancels the class:

You are entitled to a full refund.

If you can't attend the class:

You’re welcome to send someone in your place.

OR

  • A refund can be requested 30 days before class starts. An admin fee of AU$50.00 applies.
  • A transfer can be requested 21 days before the class starts. An admin fee of AU$50.00 applies.
  • A credit note can be requested 21 days before the class starts. An admin fee of AU$50.00 applies.

No changes will be allowed after these times.

We recommend the refund upgrade option upon checkout in case you’re not able to attend the class. Learn more about refund upgrade option.

Terms & Conditions

SquarePeg Studios has provided the highest-level jewellery tuition since 2011. We bring professional jewellers and practising artists from near and far to provide our students with an excellent and diverse education in an inspiring and well-equipped learning environment.

The following terms and conditions must be adhered to on enrolling in a SquarePeg Studios Class:

For peace of mind enrolling, SquarePeg Studios recommends purchasing the optional refund protection offered by We Teach Me, our third-party booking platform, at checkout. (See We Teach Me terms and conditions)

  1. To secure their place, the customer must pay the course fees in full or in instalments via the payment plan option.
  2. Some courses and workshops require prior learning and have minimum age requirements. Therefore, please check the course description thoroughly before enrolling. These terms and conditions apply to all enrolments.
  3. It is the student's responsibility to attend all classes. No make-up classes, refunds, or credits are issued for non-attendance of all or part of the course or workshop. We recommend the optional refund protection if a student has health issues that may impact their attendance.

A. Cancellation and transfers: 30 days or more before class starts - Refund or Credit Note

i. SquarePeg Studios will accept written notification via email of cancellation up to one month before the class’s start date.
ii. SquarePeg will issue a refund of the fee paid minus a $50 booking fee and administration fee.
iii. If preferred, SquarePeg Studios will issue a credit note for the total fees paid. The credit note can be used for any course or workshop and is valid for twelve months from the issue date.

B. 21 – 30 days before class starts – Credit Note.

i. SquarePeg Studios will accept written notification via email of cancellation between 21 and 30 days before the class’s start date.
ii. SquarePeg Studios will issue a credit note for the fees paid, less the $50 administration fee. The credit note can be used for any course or workshop and is valid for twelve months from the issue date.

C. 21 – 5 days before the class starts – Transfer subject to conditions.

i. SquarePeg Studios will accept written notification via email of a request to transfer.
ii. Transfer of the student to another date will only be processed if the student’s place in the course can be filled.
iii. If the student’s place in the original booking can be filled, SquarePeg Studios will transfer the student to an alternate date within 12 months of the original booking and issue a $50 administration fee.

D. SquarePeg Studios reserves the right to cancel any class.
a. SquarePeg will advise of class cancellation via email of cancellation as soon as practicable.

i. Please note that SquarePeg Studios does not accept responsibility for travel or accommodation expenses incurred.
ii. In the event your class is cancelled, you will be offered a choice of the following;
iii. Full Refund or 1
iv. Transfer to the next available date or
v. Credit note with a three-year validity

E. In the case of a significant schedule change or if the student cannot attend the new start date entirely:

The student may choose from the following options:

I. A credit note valid for three years, or

ii. A transfer to another course or a future date within 12 months, or

iii. A full Refund.


Please note:

SquarePeg Studios does not accept responsibility for travel or accommodation expenses incurred due to schedule changes.


Gift Voucher Terms & Conditions can be found here: https://weteachme.com/pages/sales-and-refunds and via our FAQ information on our website.

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