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A sculptural wax and metal finishing masterclass with Lorna Romanenghi.
Mitsuro Hikime is a mesmerising wax technique known for its flowing, organic lines and the way it captures movement in a way no other method can. In The Art of Mitsuro, you’ll dive deep into this ancient process, learning to make and shape your own wax, explore expressive forms, and understand how Mitsuro translates into finished metal jewellery.
Over two days with artist and goldsmith Lorna Romanenghi, you’ll experiment widely, play with material, develop technical skill, and learn how to elevate Mitsuro forms once cast. You’ll leave with a beautifully finished ring, a box of your own sculptural wax pieces, and the knowledge to keep pushing the technique in your own practice.
This is an incredibly rare chance to study Mitsuro Hikime in depth with a tutor who balances tradition, experimentation, and contemporary design.
Can I do this class?
This masterclass is perfect for jewellers and makers with some bench experience who want to explore wax in a more sculptural, expressive way. You don’t need to be a wax specialist as Lorna will take you through everything step by step, but basic metalworking knowledge will help you get the most out of Day 2.
If you’re unsure whether this workshop is right for your skill level, feel free to ask, we’re always happy to guide you.
What happens?
Day One – Sculpting Mitsuro Wax
You begin by exploring the origins and qualities of Mitsuro Hikime. Lorna introduces the materials, ingredients and techniques before showing you how to:
Make your own Mitsuro
Condition and store the wax
Pull long, even wax wires
Form rings [both closed and open]
Create dynamic freeforms such as pendants or earrings
Join pulled wax pieces to build layered, sculptural structures
Throughout the day you’ll work on multiple exercises, pushing the material and discovering its possibilities. At the end of the session, Lorna shows you how to safely package and store your wax pieces, and you’ll take all your Mitsuro wax work home in a protective box you prepare in class.
Please note: Wax pieces made on Day One are not cast during this workshop. They are yours to keep, experiment with further, or cast at a later date.
Day Two – Refining Mitsuro in Metal
On Day Two you’ll work exclusively with three pre-cast Mitsuro rings provided for the class. These give you the chance to focus entirely on metal finishing, surface quality and contemporary refinement.
Together, you’ll learn how to:
Clean up Mitsuro castings
Use burrs and tools to recreate or enhance texture
Apply depletion gilding and polishing techniques
Mix finishes for contrast and visual depth
Add dynamic elements to break up texture
Incorporate features such as bars or stone settings
You’ll complete a series of structured exercises to explore possibilities:
Cutting into a ring and adding a bar for future stone-setting
Opening a band and adding a tube setting
A creative free-play challenge: reinterpreting a ring in a contemporary way
You will finish the session with one beautifully refined Mitsuro ring to take home.
Do I need to bring anything?
Bring along any sketches or ideas you’d like to explore, and feel free to bring your favourite hand tools if you enjoy working with them. All essential tools and materials, including your pre-cast rings, are provided.
Please tie long hair back, avoid open-toed shoes, and keep loose clothing to a minimum for safety.
Who is teaching me?
We’re thrilled to welcome back Lorna Romanenghi, an Anglo-Italian goldsmith who played a major role in the life of Vanilla Ink CIC before returning to Italy in 2024.
Trained by our very own Scott McIntyre and holding an Honours degree from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, Lorna blends solid bench skills with an experimental, contemporary approach. She has a particular passion for expressive techniques including Mitsuro Hikime, Keum-boo and titanium colouration.
At Vanilla Ink, Lorna’s journey took her from Jeweller in Residence to Workshop Manager and eventually Director. Her teaching is hands-on, encouraging and deeply responsive, giving you both expert guidance and the freedom to explore your own creative direction.
We’re absolutely delighted to have her back in the studio to teach this exceptional class.
The details
🔨 Full weekend course
🕑 10am – 6pm daily [includes a 1-hour lunch break, 1pm – 2pm]
📅 3rd & 4th October
Why book with Vanilla Ink CIC?
Vanilla Ink CIC is a Community Interest Company, meaning every class you take supports creative programmes for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities across Scotland. When you book a class, you’re helping us educate, inspire, and empower through jewellery making.
All prices are inclusive of VAT
Students must be 16+ years
Good eyesight and hand dexterity is essential
Please read our full Ts & Cs and Cancellation Policies before booking
Vanilla Ink CIC
60 Brook Street
Glasgow
G40 2AB
Tell me about it
Want to learn how to make jewellery? You’ve come to the right place! Our eight-week Level One block at Vanilla Ink CIC in Glasgow is the perfect place to begin your jewellery journey.
Across eight consecutive weekly classes [three hours each], you’ll learn the core techniques of jewellery making, from sawing and soldering to texturing, forming and finishing. The first four weeks focus on key skills and tool handling, then the final four weeks are spent developing your very own designs and collection with full tutor support.
This course is designed for absolute beginners, giving you the time and space to build confidence and understand the craft properly. Once completed, you’ll have the option to move on to Levels Two, Three, Four and Five as you progress. Can’t manage weekly sessions? Check out our Level One Weekend option instead.
Can I do this class?
Of course you can, this one’s for complete beginners. If you’ve never made jewellery before, we’ll take you through everything step by step. You’ll leave feeling confident, capable and ready to take your new skills further.
What happens?
Across the first four weeks, you’ll learn the essential techniques, including:
Make a Silver Ring: soldering, forming and finishing
Saw Piercing
Texturing & Roll Printing
Granulation & Reticulation
Doming and Forming
During the final four weeks, you’ll design and create your own pieces of jewellery, applying everything you’ve learned with full guidance from our tutors.
Do I need to bring anything?
We’ll email you our Level One Manual ahead of the course, please bring it digitally or printed. A sketchbook for notes and ideas is also handy.
All tools and materials are provided for the first four weeks, and each participant has their own fully equipped bench. For your personal projects later in the block, we’ll help you plan your designs and source what you need.
Please tie back long hair, avoid open-toed shoes, and wear fitted clothing. If you need glasses for close work, bring them along as jewellery making can be detailed work!
The details
🔨 Eight-week block
🕑 Morning or evening sessions [10am – 1pm or 6pm – 9pm]
📅 Next block runs 21st October - 9th December
Why book with Vanilla Ink CIC?
Vanilla Ink CIC is a Community Interest Company that supports jewellers at every stage of their journey. When you book a class, you’re investing in your own creative growth and helping us run programmes that support vulnerable and disadvantaged communities through making.
All prices are inclusive of VAT
Students must be 16+ years
Good eyesight and hand dexterity is essential
Please read our full Ts & Cs and Cancellation Policies before booking
Vanilla Ink CIC
60 Brook Street
Glasgow
G40 2AB
Tell me about it
Want to learn how to make jewellery? You’ve come to the right place! Our Level One Weekend Course at Vanilla Ink CIC in Glasgow is a short, sharp version of our eight-week block, giving you a full introduction to jewellery making in just two days!
We know not everyone can commit to weekly sessions, so this weekend experience lets you dive right in. Across four focused sessions, you’ll learn the core techniques used by jewellers, like sawing, soldering, texturing, forming and finishing.
It’s an intensive, hands-on weekend designed for absolute beginners who want to learn fast, have fun, and walk away with a handful of stunning silver pieces made by you. Once you’ve completed the course, you can move on to Level Two or Level Three to keep building your skills.
Can I do this class?
Of course you can! This course is designed for absolute beginners with no experience needed. You’ll get full guidance every step of the way, and by Sunday evening you’ll have a small collection of beautiful handmade jewellery to show off.
What happens?
Across the two days, you’ll cover the highlights of Level One:
Saturday AM: Make a silver ring
Saturday PM: Saw pierce a pendant
Sunday AM: Roll print and dome drop earrings
Sunday PM: Create a reticulated and granulated piece of your choice
It’s basically the greatest hits of jewellery making - compact, creative, and incredibly satisfying.
Do I need to bring anything?
We’ll email you our Level One Manual ahead of time, please bring it digitally or printed. A sketchbook or notebook for ideas is also handy.
All tools, materials and silver are provided, and each participant has their own fully equipped bench.
Please tie back long hair, avoid open-toed shoes, and wear fitted clothing. If you need glasses for close-up work, bring them along, jewellery making is detailed business!
The details
🔨 Two-day weekend course
🕑 10am – 5pm [includes a one-hour lunch break, 1pm – 2pm]
📅 Choose your preferred weekend from the dropdown below
Why book with Vanilla Ink CIC?
Vanilla Ink CIC is a Community Interest Company supporting jewellers at every stage of their journey. When you book a class, you’re investing in your own creative growth and helping us deliver programmes that empower vulnerable and disadvantaged communities through making.
All prices are inclusive of VAT
Students must be 16+ years
Good eyesight and hand dexterity is a must
Please read our full Ts & Cs and Cancellation Policies before booking.
Vanilla Ink CIC
60 Brook Street
Glasgow
G40 2AB
Tell me about it
Ready to level up? Our eight-week Level Two block at Vanilla Ink CIC in Glasgow takes your jewellery-making skills to the next stage. Each three-hour weekly session builds on the foundations from Level One, introducing more advanced, creative and experimental techniques.
The block is split into two parts: four weeks of new skills, followed by four weeks of guided project work where you’ll create your own unique pieces. You’ll get the chance to play, explore, and push your ideas further with the support of our expert tutors.
By the end, you’ll have built confidence, expanded your technical ability, and produced a small body of work that shows off your evolving style. And if you’re hooked [you will be], you can move on to more advanced levels later in the year.
Can I do this class?
Of course you can! This class is perfect if you’ve completed Level One with us or have some jewellery-making experience elsewhere. You already know the basics, now it’s time to refine, experiment, and explore new materials and methods. Destiny awaits 🔥
What happens?
Over the first four weeks, you’ll learn new intermediate techniques, including:
Riveting/ Cold connections
Enamelling Taster Session
Water Casting
Etching and Surface Decoration
In the final four weeks, you’ll use your new skills to design and create your own pieces, developing your personal style under the guidance of our tutors.
Do I need to bring anything?
We’ll email you our Level Two Manual before the course, please bring it digitally or printed. A sketchbook or notebook for notes and designs is also handy.
All materials are included for the first four weeks. Everyone has their own fully equipped bench, and we’ll help you plan and source materials for your personal projects during the second half of the block.
Please tie back long hair, avoid open-toed shoes, and wear fitted clothing. If you need glasses for close-up work, bring them along, precision is everything!
The details
🔨 Eight-week block
🕑 Morning or evening sessions [10am – 1pm or 6pm – 9pm]
📅 Next block runs 19th October - 7th December
Why book with Vanilla Ink CIC?
Vanilla Ink CIC is a Community Interest Company that supports jewellers at every level of their journey. When you book a class, you’re investing in your own development and helping us run creative programmes for vulnerable and disadvantaged communities across Scotland.
All prices are inclusive of VAT
Students must be 16+ years
Good eyesight and hand dexterity is essential
Please read our full Ts & Cs and Cancellation Policies before booking
Vanilla Ink CIC
60 Brook Street
Glasgow
G40 2AB
Wedding rings are one of the most significant decisions you will make when it comes to getting married. There are so many options to choose from which can make the process stressful and unenjoyable. Why not cut out the tension by taking control and creating your own wedding rings?
The process is empowering and will ensure life-long memories of this special time in your life. What better way to make your marriage even more special than making your own rings?
We make the session relaxed and intimate by having the workshop to yourselves. The class takes approximately 3 hours, where we provide an Afternoon Tea! We also capture the session and produce a photo book so you always have a constant reminder of your special day.
THE COST
The day itself costs £350 per couple [not per person] which includes lunch, a bottle of nice fizz to celebrate the completed rings upon collection, the photo book, wedding ring boxes, as well as all tools and equipment. The cost of your chosen material is then added to the class cost.
THE MATERIALS
Material costs can vary depending on your needs but we will discuss your options and pricing prior to the day. We will get you in for an appointment where we can fine-tune your demands and create a better picture of what you would like. Once you have purchased the session, please contact us with regards to the next step. You also have the option to up-cycle your own metal, using sentimental materials rather than brand new. If you decide to use sentimental materials please bring these along to your consultation. You have a choice of making your rings in the following materials:
Silver
9ct Yellow, White Gold & Rose Gold
14ct Yellow, White Gold & Rose Gold
18ct Yellow, White Gold & Rose Gold
Platinum
Please note, for all gold alloys and platinum, you will create a master pattern of your ring in silver, which is then cast in your chosen material. This way, there is no fear of messing up on the day… we’ve got your back!
To help you gauge the cost of materials we have provided approximate costs of a classic ‘court shaped’ wedding band at 3mm and 5mm.
< please note that these costs are subject to change based on the size, width, design and weight of the ring >
The figures indicated below includes the price of material plus casting costs
Prices were updated in February 2026 and are liable to change
3mm court shape wedding band size M
Silver £195
9ct white gold £597
18ct yellow gold £1119
Platinum £1405
5mm court shape wedding band size S
Silver £335
9ct white gold £1282
18ct yellow gold £2399
Platinum £2915
Please note that due to the current climate, the increase in the price of palladium has skyrocketed, leading it to be essentially cost out of the market.
Should you require a palladium ring, please contact us and we will be happy to help.
We provide detailed and thorough quotes for you to sign off before any metals are ordered. There are no hidden costs and no surprises added on without your prior knowledge.
EXTRAS
There are things that you can add to your rings at an extra cost, including:
Engraving from £25
Stone Setting from £25
Please get in touch if you would like to make your wedding rings. We always try our best to make this a very special occasion for you. We can run workshops at any time of the week and can be flexible to suit your needs. Adding extras can add 1 - 2 weeks to the delivery of the rings depending on the request.
Please note that due to UK law, we will have to send your rings for hallmarking. This cost comes out at £30 per item.
MORE INFO
Please note that precious materials fluctuate in price daily and you will be given the exact price upon receipt of purchase of the materials.
WHO IS THIS FOR?
This class is designed for complete beginners. You do not need to have any prior knowledge of jewellery making, we take you through every step of the way.
Vanilla Ink CIC
60 Brook Street
Glasgow
G40 2AB