2024 Topics and Ideas

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 will be presenting brief (10-20 min.) talks focused on sharing techniques. These might include photos and even video but don't have to. So far, we have the following demo ideas in the works, we'll add dates as soon as they're firmed up:

1. Woven Chain by Dale Hansen (Feb 20th)
2. Hido Japanese Patina by Anne Wolf (TBA - maybe March)
3. Sand Casting by Chapin Dimond (TBA - ​March)
4. Annodizing Titanium by Marianne Pickett (April)
5. Design Elements by Annette Campbell (TBA)
6. Etsy for Beginners by Ame Stanko (July or Aug)
7. Hydraulic Press 101 by Jean Franchesciello (TBA)
8. Keum Boo by Charlotte Ewalt (TBA)
9. Stone Carving by Ryan Gardner (TBA)
10. Torch-fired Enamels by Charlotte Ewalt (TBA)
11. Torch-fired Metal Clay by Marianne Pickett (TBA)

Get in touch with Ame if you have something you would like to present. 

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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. Every month we have some kind of challenge and you're invited to participate! No sign up required, just join in and pick any challenge that appeals to you. Here are some of the fun challenges we have in mind:

January:
Squirrel Appreciation Day/ Just Do It Day
Feb:
Black History Month/New Year ... of the Dragon!
March:
Int. Women's Day/Pi
April:
Earth Day/Haiku Poetry Day
May:
Mother's Day/Star Wars Day
June:
​Father's Day/World Ocean Month

July:
Give Something Away Day
​Aug:
International Cat and Dog Days
Sep:
Natl. Wildlife Day/Talk like a Pirate Day (2nd annual!)
Oct:
Intl. Coffee Day/Ghosts
Nov:
Natl. Cake Day/Leaves
​Dec:
​Winter Holidays/Sparkle

None of these are set in stone so if you have an idea for a fun challenge, tell Ame so she can add it to the list. ​

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 ever session in our Q & A segment, feel free to pipe up and ask anything you like. ​