Ring-making workshop in Eunpyeong, Seoul: wax carving at Munak

I tried a one-person wax-carving one-day class at Munak (무낙), a jewelry workshop in Yeonsinnae. It was a class where I carved and refined wax myself to determine the shape of a ring.

Where is Munak, and is parking available?

The workshop is on the second floor at 23 Tongil-ro 83-gil, Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul. It is about a five-minute walk from Yeonsinnae Station Exit 7. There is no parking at the workshop, so you need to use a nearby public parking lot. The parking lots at the Galhyeon 1-dong and Galhyeon 2-dong Community Service Centers were suggested as nearby options.

What is the workshop interior like?

The interior was clean and showroom-like, with a white interior balanced by wood furniture and plants. Munak is both a jewelry brand selling rings and necklaces and the designer’s studio. Small one-day classes let visitors try wax-carved rings and natural-stone ring crafts.

I liked that a designer who makes ring jewelry was on site, so I could ask for opinions while making mine.

How do you choose a ring design?

After hearing an explanation of the class process, I chose a design while looking through the workshop’s many samples. There were not only rings but also necklaces, bracelets, and beaded jewelry. If you have a design in mind, bringing a photo or concept would help you work out the direction with the designer.

Many of the samples were thick, rough-looking rings with distinctive shapes. I especially liked a bone-shaped ring. I found it appealing that carving and refining wax could create an individual form.

I could decide the ring’s width and thickness in the direction I wanted. It also appeared possible to engrave both the inside and outside. Because my class was one-to-one, it was easy to develop the design while hearing the designer’s opinions.

Looking at the couple-ring samples, I thought it could be nice to vary each ring’s shape slightly rather than make identical ones. It seemed like it would make a memorable indoor date for making rings for each other. I felt less pressure when choosing because I was told the designer would help finish difficult designs.

Among the displayed jewelry, the rough forms distinctive to wax carving stood out. They also suited my preference for antique-style designs.

How long is the class, and how does it work?

After choosing a design, I took the class in the work area. Since I had reserved in advance, the materials and an apron were ready. The class took about 1 hour 30 minutes, so it would be more comfortable to allow plenty of time for the visit.

Wax carving is a jewelry-making method in which wax is carved and refined into the desired shape. I was told it works well for irregular curves and contours, and that pendants and necklaces can also be made in addition to rings.

How do you fit the ring to your finger and set its thickness?

First, I refined the inside of the wax to fit my finger size.

I carved the inside by turning the tool. I repeated the process, changing direction, until it was the right size.

The wax was hard, so it did not carve as easily as I had expected. I had to apply force and turn the tool firmly.

After fitting the inside, I decided on the ring’s thickness. At first I wanted to make it thick, but I was told that if it was too thick, it could feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable to wear. So I chose the thickness the designer recommended, then carved it with the tool and smoothed the surface.

Once I had made the basic structure, the ring’s shape started to take form. Afterward, I continued by choosing decorative elements such as lettering or cubic zirconia according to my taste.

When did I receive the finished ring, and how did it feel to wear?

The ring took three to four days to complete, and I received it by delivery.

I was satisfied because the finished ring’s thickness and contours came out as I had imagined. After receiving it, I wore it every day.

Can beginners keep up with wax carving?

Even as a beginner, I was able to follow along with one-to-one guidance. However, the design I chose included a difficult step, so I asked for help during the work. I liked that the designer suggested directions along the way and helped with the finishing. Both the making process and the result stayed with me because I was left with a ring whose shape I had decided myself.