Discussion Forum - Metal Arts Guild of Canada

SNAG 2013 Conference in Toronto, Canada

2009-11-11T16:34:03.897Z

The Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG) 2013 Conference is officially scheduled to take place in Toronto, Canada in May 2013. The conference will be co-hosted by George Brown College and Harbourfront Centre. The conference co-chairs are Paul McClure, professor at George Brown College, and Melanie Egan, Head of Craft Department at Harbourfront Centre. The specific dates in May 2013 and a specific conference theme have yet to be established.

It is hoped that a variety of organisations, institutions and individuals will volunteer their participation to make this conference as inclusive, diverse, exciting and original as the Canadian jewellery and metalsmithing community is. Volunteers are needed to organise related exhibitions and events, organise pre-conference workshops, and help with conference planning and implementation.

It has been over twenty five years (Toronto, 1985) since the SNAG conference was held outside the United States. In addition to serving the entire SNAG membership, the Toronto 2013 conference will provide a platform for promoting Canadian jewellery and metalsmithing to a local, national and international audience.

To express your interest in becoming involved. Please contact Paul McClure at pmcclure@georgebrown.ca or Melanie Egan at rmegan@harbourfrontcentre.com

Pewter Wire?

2009-10-30T01:05:39.393Z

I recently got this request in my communications in-box and wondered if anyone could help...

I need some 1-3mm pewter wire, and am having trouble finding a supplier (ideally
in Canada). Any suggestions?

Alastair Simpson

Alastair G.B. Simpson, PhD
Associate Professor, Department of Biology, Dalhousie University
Canadian Institute for Advanced Research

Phone: 902 494 1247 (Country code 1)
Fax: 902 494 3736 (Country code 1)
Email: alastair.simpson@dal.ca
Lab website: http://myweb.dal.ca/asimpso2/home

Looking for chasing tools in Canada

2009-10-28T00:27:12.663Z

I am looking to purchase some chasing tools and quality pitch. I am wondering if anyone knows of is a good supplier near Toronto or at least in Canada. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Casting in soap stone

2009-10-22T16:02:20.710Z

I am interested in casting pewter in stone molds and am wondering what alloy would work best.There is a 98% tin ,1.5% bismuth,.50% copper. I have experience in silicone molds and this is close to the alloy used but I'm not sure how it would flow in the stone. Would appreciate any advise.

Largest ever Anglo-Saxon hoard discovered in UK

2009-09-24T12:02:22.294Z

Very exciting: a man with a metal detector finds a hoard of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver which may rival Sutton Hoo.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1215723/Largest-hoard-Anglo-Saxon-gold-Staffordshire.html

Working with Limestone?

2009-09-23T05:42:01.219Z

Hey, so i took on this commission a little while ago for a very close friend of mine. He was seriously injured in a rock climbing accident and a chunk of limestone crushed his knee. He's been through 5 reconstructive operations, and he's recovering like a champ. On the One-Year anniversary of his accident he went back to the site and hauled the rock home for his garden. Now he'd like me to make him a small pendant by chipping off/slicing off a small section of the rock and threading it on a leather cord.

So, my question. How should i slice/chop/chip off a section? Do i have to worry about the thousands of fossils imbedded in the rock? Will i hurt their feelings? Are there too many inclusions to make a piece? If anyone has any lapidary experience in slabbing limestone i'd love to chat.

thanks everyone!

METAL ARTS GUILD OF CANADA Flickr Group

2009-09-17T21:36:46.480Z

You are invited to join this group to share your metal art images.

http://www.flickr.com/groups/metalartsguildofcanada/pool/show/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/metalartsguildofcanada/pool/

Thanks,
Melody Armsrong

Enamel Classes in the East?

2009-09-09T21:04:54.261Z

I am trying to put together a list of enamelling classes across Canada - can anyone help? I have a couple in Ontario and one in BC -
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Catherine Crowe: you can contact me at emporiumvitreum@yahoo.ca

Kilns for firing PMC

2009-08-31T18:53:20.085Z

Hello! I'm at that stage where hand-firing my pieces is no longer a time effective option, so I'm looking into buying a kiln. I've heard good things about Evenheat, but was wondering if anyone could offer up any suggestions, or if anyone knows of good deals out there (even a Canadian retailer would be nice!)

Thanks!

Needed - Volunteers for Nuit Blanche!

2009-08-31T16:49:58.444Z

Nuit Blanche – 2009
Hey there everyone! With Nuit Blanche quickly approaching, I am beginning to schedule a series of meetings in preparation of the big night. I would love for you to attend a short meeting this Thursday September 3 (one month to the day before the event) at 7pm until 8pm. What I’m looking for is a very short-term commitment of help (a few hours, a day, whatever you can afford to spend) for various tasks that need to be done.
We need some people with expertise in building, we need a vehicle to pick up materials, and we need people to volunteer on the night of the event. Here are some of the upcoming opportunities.
Some jobs are big, some are little. Many of you have expressed your interest in being involved in this project, and this is a MAG event to be remembered. We had a great time during Nuit Blanche last year and this year is shaping up to be even more fun!
Meetings will be kept short and beer will be provided. Please RSVP that you are coming, and let me know what you are interested in helping with.
If you cannot attend the meeting but would like to help out, just drop me a short note and let me know.
Thank you so much. I look forward to seeing you there!

If you would like to email me directly you can do so at info@kathryndieroff.com

Building Team
We will be constructing the walls to mount the exhibition. We need people who know a little bit about construction, materials, etc. Leading up to the exhibit, I will need help selecting and picking up construction materials, and we will need a team the day before the event (Friday October 2) and the day of (Saturday October 3) to assemble. Ideally some will also help with the deconstruction the next day.

Collection
We still need 7000 pieces to make up the 10000. We need people to scout the schools, send out emails, canvas downtown, and do pick ups.

Fundraiser
There will be three fundraising possibilities for the event - the sale of MAG aprons, a raffle, and a silent auction. I would like someone to collect donations for the raffle and organize the silent auction of sections of the exhibit.

Volunteer Schedule
As last year, we will need three volunteers at the event for the duration of the night. We need to staff for these various time slots – 7pm until 10pm; 10pm until 1am; 1am until 4am; 4am until 7am; 7am until 10pm next day deconstruction…

Assembly
On the day of the event and several days leading up to it, we will need a few people to actually mount the exhibit on the gallery walls.

Films
There will be as many as three films being presented. We will need to capture footage, and edit the films (as well as prepare laptop, platform, and secure projector)

Hope to have you as a part of this amazing experience!
All the best,
Kathryn