#MASSC - DEMO DAY!!! One of my favorite #metalsmithing events! - A Fly On The Wall’s Views and Reviews

Finally! DEMO DAY 2014…this is the BEST DAY EVER!!!!

Why? The Metal Arts Society of Southern California has long been the source of some of the best workshops and guest speakers in the SoCal region and yet I feel that their Demo Day event is the best!

As you can see from the announcement above – Demo Day consists of 5 Demonstrations all under an hour – so – no frills just down and dirty technique!

There is no schedule – when you get to the event (come early for a little mixing and coffee) you are given a name tag and assigned to a group – A, B, C, or D…the nice thing about four groups and five demos? …the presenters get a break.

Like anyone going to a set of Demos everyone decides well when is the Pulse Arc Welding Demo – that is the one I want to go to…BUT because there is no schedule you go to all of them. Why is that good? I have never seen a bad presentation and even when I thought – the last thing I need is a NEW technique to get hooked on – the presentation all starts the creative juices flowing.

FIRST UP – Toaster Powder Coating with Rachel Shimpock:

YES! a powder coating technique that you can do in a Toaster Oven!!! Rachel is a Lab Technician in the Jewelry + Metals Dept. at Long Beach City College

NEXT – Fold Formed Flower – Melinda Alexander

Really interesting technique using tube stock! …Melinda also teaches at Irvine Fine Arts Center.

NEXT – Etruscan Chain Demo with Kristina Grace

Following a brief history of the Etruscan Chain method – Kristina demonstrated various methods (single, double and triple weaves) of this weave and talked about finishing techniques and casting original endcaps. This Demo is where the video screen proved to be completely necessary!

LUNCH BREAK:

This is where the real FUN begins – always a great lunch followed by LOTS of prizes! …and this year Rio Grande donated a Mini Drill Press and Drill Set…the lucky winner was Lucy Baker-Holdmann!

…and of course we talk about MASSC and what you membership gives you…their amazing Library of Techniques, Workshops and past Demo Days:
Workshop Videos Include:
NEW – Pauline Warg- Carved Bezels
NEW – Jillian Moore – Resin in 3D
NEW – Sarah Doremus- Kinetic Jewelry
Charity Hall – The Brooch Approach
Demo Day 2011 – 5 demos
NC Black Micro-Shell Forming
Alison Antleman – Custom Clasps
Belle Brooke Barer – Sculptural Hollow Ring
Charles Lewton-Brain – Fold Forming
…and my recommendation to you…read their past newsletters! There is so much info in it! http://massconline.com/newsletter.html

OK NEXT UP! PULSE ARC WELDING WITH JOHN ROSE:

In 2Roses fashion his examples were perfection!

John explaining the process to on lookers after the session

The lovely Lisa stepping up for a try…

NEXT – LAST DEMO OF THE DAY – RAILROAD SPIKE TO STAKE ON THE JOOL TOOL WITH LAURIE UNION

One of the Jool Tools’ claim to fame is that you can see the surface of the piece you’re working on…

This handy tool works every aspect from metals to glass to lapidary.

The Metal Arts Society of Southern California exists ….To serve the needs and interests of artists and designers who are engaged in making craft works by providing an exchange of information on such issues as producing, teaching, exhibiting, and marketing.

JOIN MASSC Membership in the Metal Arts Society of Southern California provides for participation in periodic workshops in the field of metal working and other related areas. Workshops are offered throughout the year and are conducted by renowned artists from all over the country. We now publish every two months instead of 5x a year. The MASSC News provides interesting articles on workshops, bench tricks, and other areas of interest to it’s members – all in outstanding, vivid color (digital format only)!

Your membership includes the digital MASSC news and membership roster sent via email in PDF format. We have been able to utilize full color to its best potential by taking advantage of digital formats for association materials.

Membership is accepted throughout the year. Annual dues (Sept. 1 – Aug. 31) are $30 for individuals, $45 for Family(2) and $20 for full time students.

Click link to join! http://massconline.com/joinmassc.html