Website and Technology Committee

Develop and maintain the architecture and functionality of the website
Interpret the AMCAW brand for the website and digital newsletters
Create new sections, pages, and blog posts on the website as needed, working with the communications and other committees
Execute digital newsletter setup and distribution

Member Engagement Committee

Develop a strategy to nurture existing members ensuring retention and encouraging every member to become an AMCAW promoter
Grow membership through the provision of new initiatives, consistent promotion, and community engagement
Promote member benefits in dynamic ways and through diverse channels to increase the profile of AMCAW
Engage with worldwide metal clay influencers to encourage and promote membership benefits
Seek opportunities for AMCAW to be represented through online channels
Engage with the wider artistic community at conferences and other events, including those focused on metal clay as well as those representing other mediums or disciplines

Guild Support Committee

Create resources to help new guilds get started
Develop meeting topics and other tools to help existing guilds prosper
Create and test a virtual guild concept
Identify and foster connections between members who are interested in being in a guild

Finance Committee

Develop annual budgets to reflect organizational priorities.
Develop accounting systems and practices to provide financial support and guidance to the organization.
Assist and the support the Executive Board during annual audits.
Prepare all financial documents included submissions to state and federal authorities.

Fundraising Committee

Foster relationships to secure corporate sponsorships
Develop strategies to encourage private donations
Identify and apply for grant funding
Create other opportunities to raise funds, such raffles or auctions
Solicit giveaways for prizes and conference goody bags

Education Committee

Curate existing available resources and present the information so it’s useful and relevant for beginner, intermediate and advanced audiences
Create new educational content for artists of all levels
Develop challenges to push the community to stretch and grow
Generate tutorials and other educational content to be shared via trade media partners under the AMCAW banner
Develop educational content for newsletters, blogs, etc
Curate and create business development resources to help metal clay artists be successful in the business of teaching and selling their work
Develop metal clay curriculum resources for high school and university programs

Curating for Excellence Committee

Develop printed high-end juried publications
Facilitate juried online showcases
Seek opportunities for juried gallery and museum exhibits
Provide judging for challenges
Identify opportunities to provide jurors for non-AMCAW exhibits or publications

Conference Committee

Plan and execute high quality AMCAW conferences on a recurring basis
Ensure that the conferences have an international scope
Possibly provide support to regional conferences

Communications Committee

Create and share content and moderate discussion on social media platforms
Develop digital newsletter content for members and non-members
Generate blog content
Pursue opportunities to promote AMCAW via PR and trade media
Provide editing support to the entire organization to ensure consistent voice in our messages
Provide graphic support to the entire organization to ensure consistent branding of our materials
Provide marketing communications and strategy support for initiatives across the entire organization to ensure consistent messaging and branding

Advanced Studies Committee

The mission of this Committee is to support and engage members of the world-wide metal clay community by developing and implementing practical, hands-on educational programs, welcoming makers of all skill levels and perspectives, and providing guidance as they pursue a higher level of personal excellence.

AMCAW Workbook

Achieving Excellence in Design, Volume I: Balance

Welcome! You’ve just unlocked the online companion to Achieving Excellence in Design, Volume I: Balance.

This page extends your workbook experience with additional resources to support your creative journey, including ten top metal clay tips for success and a gallery of the inspiring pieces featured in the book, each linked to tutorials, artist profiles, and more. Explore, bookmark, and come back often. And stay tuned — more volumes in the series are on the way.

Order Your copy today

Metal Clay Tips for Success

Read the full article

Make it golden! Add gold to your complex or deep-textured silver pieces with gold paste. Follow these tips and hints for perfect application success. Read more…

Are you sure it’s completely dry? Many problems can occur when metal clay pieces are not thoroughly dried before firing. Read more…

Pass the torch! No kiln? In a hurry to fire a small metal clay component or piece? Here are the keys to torch firing success. Read more…

Leave the grind behind! Short on time? Skip the tedious step of grinding the clay to powder by following these steps. Read more…

Make It shine! Whether you choose a matte or mirror finish, proper finishing before firing is essential to achieving a professional look. Read more…

Draw the line! Here’s how to use the syringe to draw like a pro. Read more…

To Quench or Not to Quench? There are times when it’s OK to quench your metal clay and times when it isn’t. Do you know the difference? Read more…

Not what it seams. Successfully connect seams and make repairs with paste and syringe by taking these steps. Read more…

Embrace the carbon. Be kind to your base metal clay work and fire in carbon. No firescale, no pickling, no regrets. Read more…

Practice makes progress! Try out and practice new techniques with inexpensive materials before firing silver. Read more…

Balance Gallery

Click on the image to go to the tutorial, article or artist’s website.

Celtic Knot Brooch - Tracey Spurgin
Symmetrical Balance

Feel More - Anna Mazon
Symmetrical Balance

All Zipped Up - Barbara Rivolta
Symmetrical Balance

Manta - Carol Douglas
Symmetrical Balance

Repurpose & Remake - Mary Neuer Lee
Symmetrical Balance

Julia Rai, Sunstone Necklace — Sunstone Necklace - Julia Rai
Symmetrical Balance

Frog on my Shoulder - Holly Gage
Asymmetrical Balance

Brooch - Patrik Kusek
Asymmetrical Balance, or informal balance.

Fired, Fused and Fun - Stephanie Chavez
Asymmetrical Balance

Treasures of the Sea - Grainne Reynolds
Asymmetrical Balance, or informal balance

Floral Delight - Sian Hamilton
Radial Balance

Paula McDowell Drop in the Ocean — Drop in the Ocean - Paula McDowell
Symmetrical Balance

Lotus Blossom - Clément Marquaire
Radial Balance

Play with clay - Noortje Meijerink
Radial Balance

Golden Sunshine Marilyn Cook — Golden Sunshine - Marilyn Cook
Radial Balance

Rebecca Natanson pendant — Pendant - Rebecca Jatko Connell
Radial Balance

About Metal Clay

About AMCAW

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Contact Us

Join AMCAW

Learning Center

Member Tutorials

The Technique Library

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AMCAW Activity Calendar

Class & Workshop Calendar

Blog

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Lis-el Crowley Vision Award

Challenge

Apply to present

Grant Award Program

Virtual Guild

Support Us

AMCAW Workbook

AMCAW Store

Artist Showroom

Business Directory

Teams & Volunteers

Contact Us

Learning Center

Member Tutorials

The Technique Library

Classes & Events

Galleries

Lis-el Crowley Vision Award

Blog

Community Guilds

Challenges

Apply to present

Grant Award Program

Virtual Guild

Support Us

Website and Technology Committee

Member Engagement Committee

Guild Support Committee

Finance Committee

Fundraising Committee

Education Committee

Curating for Excellence Committee

Conference Committee

Communications Committee

Advanced Studies Committee

AMCAW Workbook

Achieving Excellence in Design, Volume I: Balance

Welcome! You’ve just unlocked the online companion to Achieving Excellence in Design, Volume I: Balance.

Metal Clay Tips for Success

Balance Gallery

Celtic Knot Brooch - Tracey Spurgin

Feel More - Anna Mazon

All Zipped Up - Barbara Rivolta

Manta - Carol Douglas

Repurpose & Remake - Mary Neuer Lee

Sunstone Necklace - Julia Rai

Frog on my Shoulder - Holly Gage

Brooch - Patrik Kusek

Fired, Fused and Fun - Stephanie Chavez

Treasures of the Sea - Grainne Reynolds

Floral Delight - Sian Hamilton

Drop in the Ocean - Paula McDowell

Lotus Blossom - Clément Marquaire

Flower Spinner Ring - Bertha Alwan

Play with clay - Noortje Meijerink

Golden Sunshine - Marilyn Cook

Pendant - Rebecca Jatko Connell