Did you know that AMCAW is managed and run by a large team of volunteers? All metal clay artists, they share their professional skills and energy to help AMCAW create and bring you more programs, tutorials, and fun. We thought you’d enjoy meeting some of these fabulous volunteers – and perhaps become a volunteer yourself!
Claudia Cooley currently volunteers for the Metal Clay Live team, helping to launch AMCAW’s inaugural online learning event in May 2025. Claudia was a perfect fit for the Metal Clay Live team: she lives in a remote area in the Pacific northwest and used online learning herself to discover and master metal clay!
She discovered metal clay in 2017, stemming from her love of beading and wire wrapping. Her curiosity led her to online classes with talented instructors like Cindy Pankopf and Patrick Kusik, where she instantly fell in love with metal clay. Not having any in-person classes available in her area, Claudia took full advantage of the emerging world of online learning, crediting instructors like Cindy Pope, Lis-el Crowley, and Pam East for their invaluable guidance. Through their support, she earned her Level 1 certification through PMC Connection, marking the start of a new creative chapter.
Cindy Pope’s classes on the Silhouette software were a life-changer for Claudia as they made a complex program approachable. Claudia was able to master the basics and put what she learned to use in a variety of applications.
Claudia was soon encouraged by Cindy to volunteer for AMCAW. She had a Zoom meeting with Pam Feindel, and then with Wendy Ernst, who both took time to speak with her at length about volunteer options and how her skills could best be put to use. Claudia is now an editor for the Metal Clay Live team and appreciates the opportunity to give back.
Claudia has always enjoyed working with teams to make things happen. She really enjoys her team members and how they work together. As an editor on the Metal Clay Live team, she appreciates her teammates for entrusting her with her virtual red pen.
At this time, Claudia’s goal is to try out as many of the AMCAW tutorials as she can. Thanks to AMCAW, she has new metal clay friends that meet through Zoom to have play. It is so rewarding to share this time, to have a ready resource for celebrating together, to ask technical advice, and to take advantage of the resources AMCAW provides.
Claudia’s background is in education. She taught high school business and marketing education, and transitioned to administration after earning her master’s degree where she served as a Director of Career and Technical Education. Until recently, Claudia was also a semi-professional oboist and played in two symphony orchestras and a concert band, even going on a European tour.
Claudia has a studio at her home in Naches, Washington State, where she welcomes friends and aspiring metal clay artists to come and learn, play, and enjoy time together.
