A Wanganui jeweller is giving people the opportunity to make their own unique pieces of jewellery.
Frances Stachl is holding two two-day casting workshops - on October 25-26 and November 8-9 - at her riverside studio.
Over the two days students will get the opportunity to cast small found objects such as seed pods or twigs, as well as using wax.
Ms Stachl said the workshops would be suitable for beginners or those with some experience.
"Casting is a fun, quick and satisfying technique, and it can be exciting and dramatic too."
The casting will be done in bronze, although silver is available at a small extra cost.
"Bronze is cheaper than silver but it looks good, and it reacts in a similar way to silver," Ms Stachl said.
She said jewellers often used casting because it was a quick and relatively cheap way to make jewellery.
"But I don't use it for that reason - I use casting when I want to achieve a particular look."
Ms Stachl spent part of her childhood in Wanganui and last year moved back here from Paekakariki.
She originally studied to be a painter, but did not enjoy it, so she switched to jewellery and studied jewellery design at Whitireia Polytechnic in Porirua.
Now she sells her quirky jewellery throughout the country.
Earlier this year she was chosen for the prestigious Wunderruma - a New Zealand art and jewellery show in Germany - and in 2013 won the Whanganui National Art Award.
Ms Stachl is a fan of metal and enjoys playing around with it.
"I like oxidising silver so it becomes a material rather than a precious metal."
Ms Stachl said she decided to hold the workshops after receiving inquiries about jewellery-making.
"People like the idea of making their own jewellery. This is a play workshop, so it's all about experimenting," she said.
The workshops cost $280 each, and places are limited to four.
For more information, or to register, contact Frances Stachl on 021-0738707.