Next Meeting and Program

Date: Sunday, May 22
Time: 4:00pm
Place: Home of Sarah Muse, Roanoke
Program: Metal Forming Techniques
Presented by: Sarah EK Muse

Founder's Report

Community - “Each of us, as individuals, contributes to our community. But when we work together, our singular actions are always greater than the summation of our combined efforts. Our energy, directed towards a common goal, is far superior than anything we could accomplish alone.” My husband spoke these words the other day when thanking our neighbors for continuing their individual & group efforts to revitalize our neighborhood during our 19th bi-annual Clean-up Festival called Block Pride. As I listened, I thought of SVMAG, the Roanoke City Public Art Plan, our Historic Neighborhood and many other organizations or entities that bring individuals together as a community. I believe now more than ever we need fellowship, we need to get back to our roots, we need to become one around a fire and build community again. This is where you step in, participating in SVMAG, along with fellow artisans, retailers, and manufacturers to create a dynamic force that will encourage and inspire creativity, exchange ideas and/or skills, to have fun and learn from each others experiences, and to succeed in work and in life, further than you ever hoped or dreamed.

So take advantage of the opportunities that spring offers, take some classes, become more involved with SVMAG and the Community and dig deep into earth to discover new and exciting ways of looking at the world. Happy Spring! -- Sarah EK Muse

Website Update - The website is up!!! www.SVMAGMetalArtsGuild.com, Check It Out! A big thanks and kudos goes out to Debra Hill Egan for creating a beautiful site! For the member’s gallery page, please send Debra one or more of the following:

• 20 word description of yourself and/or your work for the member’s list
• Bio/statement
• Images of your work for your personal gallery page (send images electronically, Subject “SVMAG” to degan@radford.edu.) and
• Personal website address if it is available for a link to your site.

SVMAG Meetings/ Programs

Member's News:

Congratulations to Alison Pack! Starting in August she will be the Assistant Professor, tenure track- of Metalsmithing/Jewelry Design in the Art Department at Radford University!

Sandra & Jack Robertson will be showing their new jewelry wares at the Sunspots Glass Festival, April 23-24, Staunton, VA. http://www.sunspots.com/VA_Hot_Glass_Fest.htm

Sarah EK Muse will be showing her new metalwork during the Open Studios Tour of Roanoke at the Can Company (formerly the Heironimus Warehouses), Saturday, April 23, 10am-5pm; Sunday, April 24, Noon-5pm. Brochures are available in local galleries & retailers. www.OpenStudiosofRoanoke.com

If you are a member and have news, please send it to Sarah Muse, E-newsletter. We would like to recognize the accomplishments of our members!

Opportunities

Radford University
Maymester runs from May 16- June 3 2005, Monday-Friday 9-1
Non degree seeking students need to begin the paper work through Admissions Now. Any person who already has a degree may enroll with graduate admissions, however it will be more expensive. In terms of cost I would apply as an undergraduate student.

I will be teaching beginning level jewelry/metals as well as working with advanced students. The course name is Art 303. Admission can be accessed at www.radford.edu/Admissions.html

I would love to have some of the SVMAG members in class! – Alison Pack

Blue Mountain Fine Arts Gallery Inc. is seeking artisans working primarily in 3D media. The gallery is especially interested in showing stained glass, batik, metal work, smaller scale sculptural pieces and uniquely designed work suitable for holiday gift giving. Blue Mountain is located at 19827 Main St., in the historic “Downtown” area of Buchanan Va. Please contact the gallery at (540) 254~9708 or Tina McConchie at (540) 473~3082 for an appt. to show work. Photos or slides may be mailed to the gallery for review at P.O. Box 241 , Buchanan Va. 24066. All material will be returned to the artist. Images may also be sent via e-mail to Tina McConchie at mcconch@rbnet.com.

Larks books will be publishing a new how-to book on chain mail techniques for jewelry. For more information contact Terry Taylor.

Soldering is a delicate and sometimes difficult process-especially when you need to solder very close to a previous solder seam. Without extra care, you can easily melt that prior seam and dislodge the parts.

One solution is to drop down a temperature level for the second seam, but that will limit further soldering to even lower temperatures. Another reason for staying with higher-temperature solders is that the color of lower-melting-point solder usually does not match the metal as well. Fortunately, there are other ways to deal with multiple solderings in close quarters, which enable you to work at the same solder level.

Remember that solder flows only on clean surfaces; it doesn't work well on dirty or oxidized areas, nor on surfaces that don't have flux (a cleaning compound). So you can discourage seams from flowing by intentionally making them dirty. A good way to do that is with an anti-flux, such as yellow ochre, rouge, grease, or even melted rubber; all of these compounds inhibit solder flow.

However, one tangible technological benefit for bench jewelers is correction fluid, the kind used in offices all over the world. Coming with its own applicator in a jeweler's size bottle, this solution significantly decreases solder flow. (Note: Water-based correction fluids are less toxic than those that are solvent based. In any event, after applying the liquid, let it air dry in a well ventilated area, and do not inhale the fumes.) By applying correction fluid to previously soldered joints, you can solder additional seams nearby and still maintain the integrity of the piece.

These tips are from the forthcoming MJSA/AJM Press book, 101 Bench Tips for Jewelers by Alan Revere. It will cover all aspects of bench work, from soldering to stone setting, piercing to final polish. Each tip will be fully illustrated, and a Resource Section will provide information on select suppliers. Scheduled publication date: November 2004. For more information, or to order an advance copy. email Shawna Kulpa at: shawnak AT ajm-magazine DOT com