Free Events
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When: Monthly on the 3rd Tuesdays from 5:30pm-7pm Pacific Time.
Where: Online via Zoom Brought to you by Anneville Studio and Mondo Bop Our Sawing Circle is like a book club but instead of reading, we work on cool stuff, help each other with problems, share ideas and provide accountability for ongoing work. If you've been looking for support for moving forward on your projects then this is the online gathering for you. Join us from your studio to work in the good conversation and company of like-minded friends. Totally free, no need to RSVP, simply make yourself a snack, settle at your bench and click the button to join in. For more details see our Sawing Circle page.
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Sawing Circle themes and dates for 2025
Volunteer hosts: Ame, Anne, Dale, Annette, Karen R. and Dusky.
January 21: Why we make what we make
What drew you to the technique you use most often? How did you get there? Or are you still searching for your favorite technique? This is meant as a little introduction to each other, fresh for the new year. If you want, take this as an opportunity to do your 'elevator pitch' about your work- with a very easy-going, forgiving audience!
February 18: Melting stuff (on purpose)
Do you melt down your own scrap and/or alloy your own materials? Do you outsource your casting and/or refining? Who do you use? How do you prep for it? Show a process you do or would like to try or share a cast piece you've made or admire.
Special guest - to be announced.
March 18: Soldering
Show us a tip/trick; yours or from a class/book/post, bring your tricky soldering job questions, disasters or triumphs.
*April 15: Piercing
Who likes sawing? Really? Show us your saw! Are the new-fangled saws worth it? Is it really all that important to use the specific size blade for the thickness of metal? Any class/teacher you'd recommend to improve sawing technique? Share an image of a pierced piece you admire or made. (Ame will be away)
May 20: Custom Work
How you do you go about doing commission work? Pricing, designs, expectations, timelines. Share your successes and/or warnings of what not to do!
*June 17: Upcycling/Recycling/Found Objects
Re-using vintage jewelry, incorporating recycled materials like sea glass, printed tin, typewriter keys. Any tips/tricks for setting or cold-connecting these materials? Share your favorite artist that uses recycled materials. Show a piece you've made. (Ame and Anne will be away).
July 15: Designing
How do you come up with fresh, interesting designs? Do you draw? Use google images? Rearrange bits on your bench? Bring some sort of source (book, pinterest) to share - could be a jewelry design/history book, or even an artist whose work you find inspiring.
*August 19: Tool time!
Share an old or new favorite tool, and how it helps your work. Images of work made with that tool would be great too! (Anne will be away).
September 16: Fiddly Bits
Bails for pendants, bands for big stone rings, brooch backs, jumprings. Those small but necessary findings are sometimes where our creativity gives out. Who has interesting creative solutions to share? Bring your almost-finished pieces, we'll brainstorm ideas!
October 21: Forming & Forging
Show us examples of adding dimension to metal, from dapping a disc to forging a neck torque. Can be a favorite artist, an example you made in a workshop, or your favorite process (hydraulic press, raising, score/bend), etc.
November 18: Finishing Techniques
Ah, the tedium of that last 10%. How do you make it fun, effective and satisfying to put the finishing touches on your work? Share your process (and favorite abrasives) with us.
December 16 - Our Annual Zoom Holiday Party and Gift Exchange!
Bring your festive attire and/or decor, pour yourself a cup of good cheer and join in the fun.
We're also planning a Group Challenge project - time & subject to be announced.
If you have an idea for a topic or challenge, tell Anne or Ame so they can add it to the list.
January 21: Why we make what we make
What drew you to the technique you use most often? How did you get there? Or are you still searching for your favorite technique? This is meant as a little introduction to each other, fresh for the new year. If you want, take this as an opportunity to do your 'elevator pitch' about your work- with a very easy-going, forgiving audience!
February 18: Melting stuff (on purpose)
Do you melt down your own scrap and/or alloy your own materials? Do you outsource your casting and/or refining? Who do you use? How do you prep for it? Show a process you do or would like to try or share a cast piece you've made or admire.
Special guest - to be announced.
March 18: Soldering
Show us a tip/trick; yours or from a class/book/post, bring your tricky soldering job questions, disasters or triumphs.
*April 15: Piercing
Who likes sawing? Really? Show us your saw! Are the new-fangled saws worth it? Is it really all that important to use the specific size blade for the thickness of metal? Any class/teacher you'd recommend to improve sawing technique? Share an image of a pierced piece you admire or made. (Ame will be away)
May 20: Custom Work
How you do you go about doing commission work? Pricing, designs, expectations, timelines. Share your successes and/or warnings of what not to do!
*June 17: Upcycling/Recycling/Found Objects
Re-using vintage jewelry, incorporating recycled materials like sea glass, printed tin, typewriter keys. Any tips/tricks for setting or cold-connecting these materials? Share your favorite artist that uses recycled materials. Show a piece you've made. (Ame and Anne will be away).
July 15: Designing
How do you come up with fresh, interesting designs? Do you draw? Use google images? Rearrange bits on your bench? Bring some sort of source (book, pinterest) to share - could be a jewelry design/history book, or even an artist whose work you find inspiring.
*August 19: Tool time!
Share an old or new favorite tool, and how it helps your work. Images of work made with that tool would be great too! (Anne will be away).
September 16: Fiddly Bits
Bails for pendants, bands for big stone rings, brooch backs, jumprings. Those small but necessary findings are sometimes where our creativity gives out. Who has interesting creative solutions to share? Bring your almost-finished pieces, we'll brainstorm ideas!
October 21: Forming & Forging
Show us examples of adding dimension to metal, from dapping a disc to forging a neck torque. Can be a favorite artist, an example you made in a workshop, or your favorite process (hydraulic press, raising, score/bend), etc.
November 18: Finishing Techniques
Ah, the tedium of that last 10%. How do you make it fun, effective and satisfying to put the finishing touches on your work? Share your process (and favorite abrasives) with us.
December 16 - Our Annual Zoom Holiday Party and Gift Exchange!
Bring your festive attire and/or decor, pour yourself a cup of good cheer and join in the fun.
We're also planning a Group Challenge project - time & subject to be announced.
If you have an idea for a topic or challenge, tell Anne or Ame so they can add it to the list.
2024 Year in Review
To make the most of our time together we've decided to focus on three areas for our gatherings; instructional demos, maker challenges and open-discussion Q & A sessions.
- Demos: Throughout the year we presented brief (10-20 min.) talks focused on sharing techniques.
- Challenges: a big part of what we do is provide support and accountability for creating work in the same way that a book club fosters reading. Almost every month we had some kind of challenge with all invited to participate.
- Q & A: our Sawing Circle is a great place to ask questions about tools and materials, solicit help for tricky design or fabrication jobs, share info about classes and instructors and much more. We do this every session in our Q & A segment and all are encouraged to pipe up and ask anything.
San Diego Jewelry Lab hosts free, real life and online metal arts events featuring tips & tricks, guest artists, metal arts history, live studio tours and more.
#EmbraceYourVises
