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AMCAW Virtual Guild

The AMCAW Virtual Guild is a benefit available only to AMCAW members.  Once per quarter, join a live online meeting where you can learn new skills from top-notch members of the metal clay community.

Our goal is to move beyond teaching techniques to create a space where artists of all levels can contribute their knowledge and enthusiasm, learning from each other and supporting and interacting for the benefit of the entire community. All Virtual Guild Meetings are recorded to make it easy for our members to listen at a later time when the live meeting is not convenient.

Our next meeting is January 18, 2025

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Meeting Schedule 2025

Jan 18, 2025
Presenter – Patrik Kusek
Topic – Technology in the Studio

Mar 15, 2025
Presenter – Patrice Baker
Topic – Rivets

Technology in the studio with Patrik Kusek

Jan 18, 2025, at 11am Eastern, 2 hours

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Patrik will share an overview of his art process and how he uses technology to achieve his final vision. From computer searches and brainstorming, to phones, iPads, laser cutters, materials and technique, and much more.

Plus, he’ll show how he’s streamlined some of his marketing by using new technology to print marketing materials and displays.

Karen Trexler Making Hinges
Karen Trexler Making Hinges
Stephanie Chavez 2023

About Patrik Kusek

Patrik, a seasoned professional in design and fashion, is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising and The Academy of Art University. With a background as a Fashion Stylist at Macy’s San Francisco and as the owner and Creative Director of Wallop Design Group, he now focuses on his passion as a jewelry artist and instructor.

Patrik teaches metal clay workshops in the San Francisco Bay Area and internationally, holds certifications from PMC Guild and Art Clay, and has taught internationally as a senior instructor for Rio Grande.

He has been featured on HGTV’s “That’s Clever” and his work has been published in various books and publications. Recipient of the prestigious 2007 Saul Bell Award and the 2016 PMC Awards, Patrik has been prominently featured in Ornament Magazine, among others.

Virtual Guild Video Library

To see an overview of all previous presentations visit our video library. This is a public page, where you can browse. You will need to be logged in to view any video. 

See the full video library
Brandy Boyd July 2024 virtual guild presentation

Karen Trexler – Making Metal Clay Hinges

Virtual Guild meeting Sept 21, 2024

Brandy Boyd July 2024 virtual guild presentation

Brandy Boyd – Combining metal clay with traditional metalsmithing practices

Virtual Guild meeting July 20, 2024

Annemarie Klappe Virtual Guild May 23

Sian Hamilton & Stephanie Chavez – Teaching & Learning Online

Virtual Guild meeting March 16, 2024

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How It Works?

Each Virtual Guild meeting includes two sections:

  1. Presentation by a top-notch metal clay instructor
  2. Q & A session for viewers to ask questions of the instructor

The meetings are held in a webinar format. The presenting instructor is live online and will use on-screen photos and videos to teach concepts and techniques that are of interest to metal clay artists.

We know you will have great questions! That’s why time is set aside in each meeting for Q & A with the instructor. Participants use the built-in Q&A and chat boxes to ask questions and engage in discussions.

Join us live for the Virtual Guild meeting or watch the recording afterwards.

Your choice!

Technical Details

  • Click the Register Now button to sign up for the next Virtual Guild meeting. If the Register Now button is not showing then registration is not currently open.
  • You are registering for one meeting only and will need to register again if you wish to attend another meeting in the future.
  • You will receive an email confirming your registration, which will include instructions and a link to join the meeting. You will also receive reminder emails prior to the meeting.
  • A recording of the meeting will be available on this page to AMCAW members.
  • The Virtual Guild meeting will take place on the Zoom webinar platform. For more information visit the Zoom attendee help page.
VIRTUAL GUILD FAQs
Do I have to be an AMCAW member to participate in the Virtual Guild?
Yes, the Virtual Guild is a benefit of being an AMCAW member. Click here to become an AMCAW member today.
How do I register for a meeting?
Scroll up and click on the “Register Now” button, or just click here. You will be prompted to login using your AMCAW username and password before gaining access to the registration page.
How often are the Virtual Guild meetings?
Quarterly
What happens after I register for a Virtual Guild meeting?
You will receive an email with a link to join us on Zoom webinar. After you register, you will also get reminder emails 1 week prior to the meeting and the day before the meeting.
Do I have to register for each Virtual Guild meeting?
Yes. You will need to revisit the registration page to register for each meeting.
Do I need to download software on my computer before the meeting?
When you click the link to join your first Zoom webinar, you will be prompted to download the Zoom software. You can also prepare ahead of time by downloading the software here. When you join meetings in the future, the app will automatically open when you click on the meeting link.
Can I join from my phone or tablet?
Yes. If you click the link to join the webinar from your phone or tablet, you will be prompted to download the Zoom app to that device. You can also prepare ahead of time by visiting this page, which includes links for Android and Apple mobile devices. When you join meetings in the future, the app will automatically open when you click on the link.
Can I join if I don’t have a device with the ability to play video?
You can join by phone for audio. The confirmation email you will receive after registering for the meeting includes both a link to join the meeting through your device and phone numbers to call for audio.
Can I join if I don’t have a speaker on the device I am using for the meeting?
Yes, you can join by phone to hear audio. In the email confirmation of your registration, phone numbers to hear audio are included. It is different for every meeting so you will have to register for each meeting.
How far in advance do I need to register for the meetings?
You can register right up until the meeting starts, but please register sooner to be sure you don’t run into any technical glitches.
What if I miss a meeting?
Don’t worry. Recordings of past meetings will be available via the Virtual Guild page on the AMCAW website. You’ll need your AMCAW username and password to access the recordings.

About Guilds

Since the middle ages people with common interests have been coming together to form guilds. The craft and merchant guilds of that time were an important part of the fabric of society, maintaining standards and protecting the interests of the members. Though the merchant guilds have faded away there are still guilds of artisans and craftspeople. Today these groups serve to help us share knowledge and create companionship with others who are passionate about the same thing. 

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See the full video library

Apply To Present At A Future Meeting

If you are a member of the metal clay community with something interesting to share, then this high-profile opportunity might be perfect for you!

Get More Info and Apply Here