One Ring at a Time: A Practice Led Inquiry into a Sustainable Alchemic Jewellery Practice

This paper examines the pedagogical and material implications of wax carving in vocational jewellery education through arts practice-led research incorporating arts-based inquiry. The finger ring operates as both material object and conceptual lens, enabling an exploration of sustainability, temporality, and meaning in craft practice. Industry-standard synthetic carving wax—primarily composed of polyethylene—perpetuates environmentally and bodily harmful material cultures when taught as normative technique. Drawing upon six months of studio experimentation, drawing, and reflective practice, Author 1 interrogated what are considered as “ordinary” material use in her practice as a jeweller and jewellery teacher, with Author 2 who is also an artist/educator/researcher working with metals and sustainable practices. Natural alternatives, including beeswax-resin blends and cheese were explored for alternative mould-making. These experiments generated idiosyncratic cast outcomes and expanded creative and pedagogical possibilities. The inquiry reveals a dynamic interrelationship between making, drawing, and teaching, positioning the educator of crafts and metal art as an alchemic mediator who transforms material practice and knowledge transmission. The paper argues for jewellery and sculpture pedagogy that is rooted in practices, fosters material curiosity, ecological responsibility, and reflective engagement, aligning vocational craft and art education with broader sustainability imperatives.