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 Jan 24, 2026
Meeting Schedule 2026
Jan 24, 2026
Presenter – Martha Biggar
Topic – What do you do in January to better your jewelry making skills?
What do you do in January to better your jewelry making skills?
with Martha Biggar
In this presentation you will learn what you can do in January to better your jewelry making skills? Perhaps take a class, work on a piece just for you, take stock of what you sold last year, inventory your stone collection?
From cleaning your bench to inventory, with a few doodles in between, they’ll take you through their January down time.
Plus, Ed & Martha will give a preview of their presentation at SINTER, called “Beyond the Bling”, going past the use of dichroic glass in your pieces to other forms of glass. Firing schedules included! AND they will be glad to take your glass questions.
About Ed & Martha Biggar
Ed’s a glassblower and I’m a jeweler. We met in 2003, married in 2005, and joined forces to help each other teach. One of our first collaborations was in 2003, I was teaching metal clay jewelry and he was teaching glass bead making, so we traded each others class. From friends to married! Ed has a BFA from Cal State San Bernardino and I have one from Virginia Commonwealth University. We traveled and taught extensively until COVID, now we teach occasionally at the Corning Studio in New York, and demonstrate at the State Fair of Virginia. We are also presenting at the SINTER conference in Florida next May. We still maintain our farm but have downsized to specialized produce and a few equines.
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.
Cathy Flesher – Simplify Soldering with Wolf Clay
Virtual Guild meeting Nov 15, 2025
AJ Newell – Keum Boo
Virtual Guild meeting Sep 20, 2025
Michael Marx – Colors That POP!
Virtual Guild meeting Jul 19, 2025
Patrice Baker – Yes, You CAN Rivet!
Virtual Guild meeting Mar 15, 2025
How It Works?
Each Virtual Guild meeting includes two sections:
- Presentation by a top-notch metal clay instructor
- 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.
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!