Sawing Circle Recap for 8/15/23: UFOs and Peridot

We started by admiring Cynthia’s adorable pups, Abby and Sammy (I’m sorry I couldn’t save my screenshot—thanks for stepping in, Ame!). Then we chatted a bit about the MASSC challenge. Kathe’s piece is almost finished.  The one Annette and I are working on is getting there! Cynthia told us about a class she had with Nash Quinn through Metalwerx on points of movement, specifically complex hinges.  She’s also been working on a clasp she learned how to make in Suzanne Williams’ class. Then she showed us a great soldering tool. ​

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Download the recap PDF for photos.
Although Alix Hart wasn’t able to join us, she sent Ame these links about sustainable jewelry practice. Alix is very involved in promoting these issues.
The Foundations of a Sustainable Jewelry Practice (video): https://www.mjsa.org/publications/online-library/podcast-foundations-of-a-sustainable-jewelry-practice-with-christina-miller
Responsibly Sourcing Colored Gemstones with Eric Braunwart (video): https://www.mjsa.org/publications/online-library/podcast-responsibly-sourcing-colored-gemstones-with-eric-braunwart
Reducing Your Business’s Environmental Footprint (video): https://www.mjsa.org/publications/mjsa-journal/reducing-your-businesss- environmental-footprint
The Fairmined Credits Program: https://www.mjsa.org/publications/mjsa- journal/exploring-the-fairmined-credits-program

On a very different note, Ame now has a Barbie-themed tool t-shirt in her Etsy shop!

Voting is now open for the Ocean Meets Desert challenge! Please feel free to share photos and info on your social media pages. We were all blown away by the entries— wow! So much talent! https://sandiegojewelrylab.weebly.com/international-artisan- showdown.html#/ Thank you, Ame, for getting all the entries up on the website and organized! International Artisan Showdown
Our (rather loose) challenge was peridot/UFO. Dale showed us a peridot bracelet he purchased for his wife and a ring he made: 

Karen R. shared a piece of volcanic rock with peridot crystals in it. Jean told us a little bit about peridot, and you can read more about it here. Marianne’s unfinished object features a Seymchan meteorite (hope I got that right!)— more about that here. 

Kathe told us her husband has family in Lahaina, Hawaii; one cousin lost his home in the fire. Here is a lovely 2012 article about another of his cousins, a community activist. You can donate on his company's Facebook page here or on his personal one here. We will keep them all in our thoughts.
If people want to help in another way, here's the fundraiser Ame mentioned. It’s organized by artist Kathy Weller, who is donating half of the proceeds of her paintings to local organizations working in the affected areas. Find her paintings here, and details about the donations to date are here. On Instagram, Kathy is talking about how more artists are responding. Here’s one of her paintings, Scaveola Sea. 

Two weeks from this past meeting is August 29 , the fifth Tuesday in the month. A few of us are planning to sign on at the usual time, even if it’s just to say hello. Stop by if you’re free!

Our next regular meeting is September 5 . Ame suggested we have a tiki party—so come and help set the mood! Hope to see you then.  Best, Dusky