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 October 17, 2020
Why Design???
by Robert Dancik
When approaching your work, are you the type of maker who sits, pen in hand and paper at the ready, and thinks about what form of jewelry you’re about to design. Is it going to be a pendant, a pair of earrings, a ring?? Do you then start to draw, all the time considering your materials, the function – which to some degree may dictate the form, perhaps the audience to whom you wish/need to appeal??
I could go on about this beginning however, I trust you have an idea about what I mean here.
OR ….. when you’re about to start a project, do you get out your materials, some tools, maybe an image from a magazine, and then dive right in? Do you let the “feel” of the “stuff” you’re working with kind of guide you? Do you like to see how the various parts sort of talk to each other and then play with different combinations of those parts? Maybe put a thing here or perhaps take a thing out over there and then again, see how you feel and continue to
work/play/experiment.
In this presentation, we will explore these approaches as well as other paths to beginning and using the design process.
About Robert Dancik
Robert Dancik has been an artist and teacher for more than 30 years. He is the originator of Faux Bone™, a new, wonderful material for artists involved in jewelry, artist’s books, sculpture, and many other artistic discipline.
Robert is also the author of the book Amulets and Talismans: Techniques for Creating Meaningful Jewelry. He teaches workshops nationally and internationally and has work in numerous museum, public and private collections both here and abroad. He has artwork published in many books including, in the Lark series, 500 Pendants, 500 handmade Books and 1000 Rings. Other books his work is featured in are PMC Decade, Fine Art of the Tin Can, The Art of Resin Jewelry, Zilver Klei (Denmark), and Creative Metal Clay Jewelry.
He lives in Connecticut, teaches around the world, is an avid cook and collector of toys, maps, and compasses.
Virtual Guild Video Library
To see the video recordings of previous meetings please click the button below. You will need to be logged into your account to access these recordings.
Julia Rai – Brilliant Bails
Virtual Guild meeting July 18, 2020
Thomas Flores – How to Solder Metal Clay
Virtual Guild meeting April 18, 2020
Alex Kraft – Creating Unique Hollow Forms
Virtual Guild meeting January 18, 2020
How It Works?
Each Virtual Guild meeting includes three sections:
- Presentation by a top-notch metal clay instructor
- Q & A session for viewers to ask questions of the instructor
- Show & Tell segment where members’ pieces can be shared and discussed
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.
During the Show & Tell segment, we show photos of pieces submitted in advance by members who wish to get feedback, seek help with problem-solving or share their own creative solutions. The trusty chat box will allow everyone to get into the action and share their thoughts.
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.
Show & Tell
We’ve heard from organizers of several regional metal clay guilds that “Show & Tell” is a popular segment of their in-person meetings. The AMCAW Virtual Guild meetings have a Show & Tell segment, allowing members to get help with problem solving, share their own creative solutions to challenges, or just show off a piece they’re excited about.
Take a look at the following guidelines below.
A link to the Show & Tell Submission Form will be in the confirmation email you receive when you register for the upcoming Virtual Guild meeting. The link is also on the registration page.
Show & Tell Submission Details (click the + sign)
- Members of AMCAW can submit a piece they’d like to share during Show & Tell at the next Virtual Guild meeting.
- You must be registered for the upcoming Virtual Guild meeting to submit a piece.
- Show & Tell is an excellent opportunity to get feedback or help with problem solving. It’s also a way for you to share something you learned or a challenge you overcame.
- Submissions must be received at least two weeks before the next Virtual Guild meeting.
- If your piece is selected and shared during Show & Tell, please wait at least one meeting before submitting another piece for Show & Tell.
- If your piece is not selected, you may submit it again or submit another piece for the next meeting.
Submission Guidelines:
- You may submit one piece and it can be shown at any stage of completion.
- Provide at least two photos – one of the front of the piece and one of the back. You may include up to four photos total to show different details or different perspectives to help the group see the piece.
- Photos must be jpg format.
- Photos must be in focus and cropped so we get a close up view of the piece.
- Provide a description of the piece, including the size, materials used and techniques used to create it.
- Please share any problems you encountered in making the piece and how you solved them. If you have specific questions or challenges you are still trying to solve, include those details. Let us know about any specific issues you want to discuss or receive feedback about from the group.
VIRTUAL GUILD FAQs
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!
You must be an AMCAW member to apply
