CMAG Officers
President: open
Vice-president: open
Secretary: Wayne Acton
Treasurer: Mandy Allen
Members at Large
Lisa Ciolli (Membership)
Linda Apodaca (Programs)
Barbara Covey
CMAG Board Meetings
Board meeting are generally
held the last Tuesday of
each month at 7:00pm.
Members are encouraged to
attend and contribute.
Contact Mandy for location.
How to Reach Us
Website:
www.cmaguild.org
Write:
Creative Metal Arts Guild
P. O. Box 8946
Portland OR 97207
Newsletter
Contributions, comments,
classified ads, display ads
metal_fx@comcast.netLyn Simon email
Membership
Please visit CMAG's website:
www.cmaguild.org
Annual membership dues are
$60; students $30
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Newsletter
The Creative Metal Arts Guild, a non-profit organization, exists to create a community for metalsmiths, jewelers and metal artists, bt facilitating communication, providing information and benefits, promoting a positive image of the creative metal artist and increasing public awareness of the artist's contribution to the community.
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Editor's Comments
I was thinking about what I should write in this space this month when it occurred to me that as well as being the email newsletter facilitator for CMAG, I am, for better or worse also the guild webmaster. Actually, a couple people asked me about getting on the member p-age last month. But haven”t heard back yet.
Using the website is one of the things which comes with paying your membership dues. (It doesn’t cost the guild much, around $150 a year.) Go here to visit the site. Take a look at the member page(s.) If you’re not represented here, you could be. People use this different ways, some have their own personal mini-pages hosted here, others just link the thumb to their own website. What you need to get started is the ability to email me here, (guild@actonjewelry.com) and to take and (eventually) attach digital pictures. We’ll work out how you want the presentation. ........
Wayne
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Minutes of CMAG General Meeting 9 September 2008
The meeting was called to order on time with Mandy Allen presiding.
Guests were Debby and Gene Cornay, introduced by Maggie and Daniel Baca who does heat colored steel sculpture. As ever, my apologies for misspellings of names.
The Spring Show Steering Committee has requested that images of work be included with applications. This is important for several, usual, reasons; a record of criteria, possible publicity use and general archiving. Digital images on disk are preferred but any method is acceptable. Slides are least useful. The dates of the show are April 24, 25 & 26.
Margaret Frison is collecting suggestions for galleries, suppliers and businesses that would be good for Spring Show advertising (posters, for example) and potentially sponsorship. Remember that these need not be local and that this sort of work may help out of town show participants get in some needed commission offset hours.
The Guild Library is still selling surplus magazines … cheap! … The library has some funds available and Lyn Simon will be purchasing some additional books, on Japanese patina and “1000 Rings.”
The October program will be Soldering Silver Ring Shanks with Wayne Acton. He will do soldering a soldering demonstration on an actual piece. The November meeting has been cancelled due to the building being closed for Veterans’ Day. As usual, there is no meeting in December. Linda Apodaca announced the possibility for a future program on how to use the accounting software ‘Quick Books,’ and asked if there was any interest, which seemed there was, so this may be on deck for after the holidays. Linda and her cohorts would welcome input on this or additional programs.
Mandy hawked the surplus stuff the guild is selling to reduce storage costs and, naturally, tee shirts. She demonstrated using the shirt’s tool pictures as conversational gambits. If you are interested in the display items give Mandy a buzz. The pop-up has been sold.
Margaret announced the ‘Bronze Casting Workshop at RiversWest,’ at Pier 99 in North Portland Harbor, October 18-19.riverswest.org/casting_class_signup.html. ... The Museum of Contemporary Craft send a card of thanks for the guild’s participation in their annual block party. Cmager’s Mona, Joe, Bruce, Tom and Nancy represented, presumably with tee shirts. … Madeline Janovec showed her catalogue pictures from the Los Angeles ‘Beauty of Korea, Exhibition of Ornamental Beauty,’ where she placed reticulated pieces with pearls during August. … Lyn Simon revealed that she will be hung at the Sixth ‘Around Oregon’ exhibit in the Corvallis Art Center. … Lee Haga will be again exhibiting at New York City’s Aaron Faber Gallery in January and February.
Margaret wondered if anyone had tips on cutting off burs with overly long shanks, which she does by scoring with a diamond cut off disk and snapping in a vise. Several people recommended parting disks (thin silicon carbide(?) ) which are very inexpensive and work well for many tasks albeit with some messiness. Phillip suggests impregnating them with super glue for strength and Wayne mentioned ganging them for some tasks. … Madeline asked for the group’s views on mass media finishing devices; the group split between vibratory tumblers and magnetic ones. Lisa Ciolli said a less expensive magnetic tumbler is available from Otto Frei, perhaps called the Jool Tool, for under $200.
At this point the business meeting was adjourned and members gathered their strength in a short break to prepare for the evening’s program presented by Bruce McKay, which are renowned for a technical and informational density served with a delightfully entertaining sauce.
Before beginning the program, Bruce, who is a past CMAG president, expressed his disappointment that more members have yet to come forward to serve as board members and guild officers. Though it stretches credibility, my notes make it appear that he may actually have even used a bad word.
In the meat of the program, Bruce carved a signet style ring wax to mount a small oval cabochon. This involved considerable use of the ‘Matt’ trimmer, which is an attachment for the flex shaft mounting an adjustable table and using a rotary file to cut the wax. In making this setting he starts cutting a blank in a miter box and reaming it out to the desired size, then squaring up the cab with sticky wax on the flat, scribing the stone and carving out the bezel. [My notes are unclear but I think he did this partly with a cordless ‘Craftsman’ rotary tool and partly with hand tools.] From there he uses the trimmer to quickly thin and taper the band, finishing with files and other hand tools. Bruce is so practiced that he was able to provide running commentary and field questions all the while. He made dramatic conclusion by pushing the stone into place and hurling the whole forcefully against the ceiling. The tiger eye was temporarily dislodged but upon recovery the wax was pronounced intact. Prior to the ring carving, Bruce demonstrated a ‘Matt’ lathe, which also attaches to a flex shaft hand piece, where the wax is mounted on a spindle, and which proceeded to fill the air with wax filaments. Various waxes, wax pens, carving tools and gravers were displayed and discussed. Bruce had also some surplus tools on offer, one or another of which I believe he managed to unload on the unsuspecting.
Respectfully submitted
Wayne
19 September 2008
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Craft Show Critique
This month’s show review is for the inaugural year of Art in the High
Desert. It was a three-day show running from 10am to 6pm everyday. The
application fee was $30 and the booth fee was $325 for a 10 x 10 space.
Limited electricity was available for an additional fee.
The venue was a fairly new park located on the bank of the Deschutes
River across from the Old Mill Shopping District and next to the Les
Schwab Amphitheater. The park was somewhat small and narrow so the
booths were arranged in three long rows, 107 artists in total. There was
no music or performances.
Setup was Thursday. Artists were assigned a 40 minute time window in
which they could park their car next to the grass and unload. You
couldn’t drive right up to your booth, but the parking lot was very
close and there were volunteers with carts to help you move your stuff.
I received a welcome packet that had several coupons and travel guides
for the area to help you find amenities.
 The organizers of this show were experienced and worked hard to attract
top quality artists and customers alike. There was extensive advertising
in local and travel magazines, in the newspaper, and on the radio.
And a full-color program was printed with pictures of every artists
work. Their goal is to establish Art in the High Desert as the premier
show venue for fine art and crafts in Central Oregon. I heard numerous
comments from the customers on how nice a show it was and I have to agree.
A good indication of this show’s philosophy is the “Benchmark Awards”
given to selected artists rather than the traditional Best of Show.
These awards were based on presentation, preparedness, attitude,
community, commitment, and mastery. Public education was another
important aspect, and all artists were required to post an artist
statement in their booth.
The artist hospitality included a nice breakfast every morning and water
delivery through out the day. There were a few food booths set up by
restaurants right across the river in the Old Mill Shopping District.
Plus, there were a number of other restaurants in which you could grab
something fairly quickly. Scheduled booth sitting was available.
Attendance was good on Friday and Saturday morning, moderate Saturday
afternoon, and slow on Sunday, but over all pretty good for a first-year
show.
Volunteers with carts were also available for load out, which went very
well.
For more information go to
www.artinthehighdesert.com
Info@ArtintheHighDesert.com
Or write:
Art in the High Desert
PO Box 5575
Bend, Oregon 97701
I will be compiling a list of shows to publish later in the year and I’m accepting any suggestions for inclusion. Also, if you have any opinions or tips about a show, please send that to me as well at allenmetalarts at gmail dot com.
Mandy Allen
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The CMAG Library: Check it out
In the many years of its existence, one of the continuing projects of CMAG has been the collection of library materials of interest to the membership. In the corner of the meeting room at the Multnomah Art Center, a closet houses books, tapes and magazines about many aspects of metal work, jewelry making, sculpture as well as some things on history of the field and fashions affecting it.
For about as long as I remember, Lee Haga has overseen the library assisted by Victor Guschov. Doubtless many others contribute to the effort or have in the past. Materials may be checked out before meetings or during break by members in good standing and kept until the next meeting. I hear Lee is very tough on people who don’t return what they borrow.
 I checked out a book on Faberge last meeting and hope to have a report to offer for next month’s issue. It was reported at the last meeting that some funds are available for a few new purchases. Check out the library at the October meeting and check something out or suggest an addition. … Wayne
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Visitor's Work
Daniel, who attended our September meeting sent this note and link. I know I’m always curious to see what our visitors do, metal creatively. .... Wayne
Hello there everyone I just put up some pictures of a custom back splash that goes behind a BBQ. I am also in the picture. You might have to click your refresh button on the various pages of my site because the internet services cache older versions of my site Im working on getting that cleared up.
Thank you,
Daniel Baca
Daniel’s Webpage
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Tannesbourne Show
Alma Rands sent me this interesting account of a local show she signed up to do. Mandy has us all used to hearing of shows which at least go off smoothly but that's not always the case. Judy and I had a look at this and spoke with someone from the promoters but took a pass, mostly because we already do the market. Thanks to Alma for a very nice write-up, hopefully she'll take the time again in the future. Wayne
Just thought you might be interested in what I have been up to this summer.
I signed up for the Taste of Tannesbourne show which was held several weeks ago, in an open, field, filled with pot holes, gopher holes, ruts, and unbelieveable dust. Temperature l04 degrees in Hillsboro.
Suzanne Arkless, came all the way down from Seabeck to participate, and many of the artists were from out of town.The artists were all excellent, as the promoter had done a fine job in selecting them.
There was not a bit of flat ground to set things down, and we were choking on the dust. Loading in was a free for all. None of the booths were marked, so one had to guess which was theirs.Suzanne, I, and a great number of artists just did not set up. Our things would have been ruined.
Very few who did set up stayed the entire time. The dust, heat, miserable advertising, and few customers got to them. By Sat.. afternoon, most had left, many of them threatening to sue the promoter. A few hardy souls stayed on for Sun.
The promoter sent us an email of apology. Seems the field had been "donated for the Occasion" by Kaiser Permanente--one of the major sponsors of the show. . When the promoter tried to have the ground leveled,and laid with turf for the show, the attorney for Kaiser ordered him to desist. They did not want anything done on the field. Seems there was a total lack of communication between the promoter and Kaiser. For those who did not set up, he promised a refund of our booth fee. I have yet to see it. The others would be able to participate next year with a waived booth fee.
I knew I was taking a chance as this was a first year show, but I figured,as it was close by, and they were providing the booths (such as they were), I would do it. Wow, After choking on the dust, driving around looking for my booth, on the dust filled road so filled with pot holes that my car wheels need realligning, I just accepted the fact that it was an impossible situation.
So, I am eagerly looking forward to next year's CMAG spring show, in a nice air-conditioned, clean, dust free room.
Alma
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Sponsors and Publicity
This is from Margaret:
Information needed from members for the Spring Show
The Sponsorship Committee and the Publicity Committee need the following information from members…asap would be great!
Please email the following information to margaret.frison@gmail.com
Name and contact information of the following:
Galleries where you show your work
Galleries that you know about
Businesses that you support
Businesses that you think might support CMAG
No Gallery or Business is too small or large to include in our list.
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PORTLAND OPEN STUDIOS
Watch Artists at Work
October 11, 12, 18, 19
Most artists open both weekends
www.portlandopenstudios.com
503-285-3131
Had this last month but it's still coming up, I'm sure we have at least a couple members participating .... Wayne
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Seattle Metals Guild Symposium
Mandy sends reminder and link for the Seattle Metals Guild Symposium Oct. 18th. Registration goes until Oct. 14th.
www.seattlemetalsguild.org
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Bronze Casting Workshop at RiversWest
Rivers West Small Craft Center is offering a 2 day workshop in Bronze Casting in the boat shop at Pier 99 in North Portland Harbor, October 18-19.
bronze-casting-website
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'Your Dues (might still be?) DUE'
You will find a renewal form here which you may be able to print.
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Spring Show Dates
The annual extravaganza is scheduled for April 24, 25 & 26.
Show applications were due in mid September and so are now officially late. I hear about 25 or so participants so far and everything on course. Send some gallery etc. info to Margaret (see above.) ......... Wayne
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MONTHLY MEETINGS &
PROGRAMS
WHEN: General CMAG member meetings are held the
second Tuesday of each month. Door opens at 6:45pm, meetings begin at 7:15pm,
and adjourn by 9:15pm.
WHERE: Room 34 at the Multnomah Arts
Center, 7688 SW Capitol Highway Portland 97219.
WHAT: Meetings consist of a general business and a short break with refreshments, followed by a
program which may be a demonstration of a technique or tool, a slide
presentation, a panel discussion, or other presentation of interest to CMAG
members. The CMAG Library is open before the meeting and during the break for
checking out books and magazines.
WHO: Meetings are open to CMAG
members and their guests.
CMAG Webpage |
He will also present examples of finished pieces and assemblies at various stages and discuss how these different categories of bands are used in their work. “It’s always a trade off, terminated bands add a lot to the design but are hard to make to a size. Non-terminated ones you just make too long and snip off after they’re bent but don’t flow as well into the setting.” Bring soldering questions to this program as the eccentric approach provokes lively discussion. 
