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Read through our FAQ page for some of the most frequently asked questions that students & visitors have about the Metal Arts Guild & the courses we offer. Frequently Asked Questions Questions about Registration: What is the age requirement to attend classes and workshops at MAGG? All classes and workshops require that our students meet the minimum age of 18 years old, unless stated otherwise. Additionally, members must be 18 or older to attend Open Studio . Can I get a refund? All refunds are subject to a nonrefundable service fee of $30. If a participant withdraws from a class or workshop more than 30 days prior to the first day of the class or workshop, Metal Arts Guild of Georgia, Inc. will grant a refund less a 20% cancellation fee and a nonrefundable service fee of $30. If a participant withdraws from a class or workshop less than 30 days prior but more than 14 days prior to the first day of the class or workshop, Metal Arts Guild of Georgia will grant a refund of 50%. Metal Arts Guild of Georgia cannot issue a refund for cancellations received 14 days or less before the first day of a class or workshop due to contractual obligations with our instructors. Metal Arts Guild of Georgia, Inc. reserves the right to cancel any class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances. You will be notified of class cancellation at least one week in advance of the class start date. If a class is cancelled, your registration may be transferred to the upcoming class of your choice. If there is no upcoming class offered which you wish to take, you will be issued a full refund. MAGG is not responsible for supplies purchased by enrollees for the class if the class is cancelled. MAGG will not reimburse students for supplies purchased in anticipation of a class. MAGG has implemented a minimum enrollment policy of four students per class, effective immediately. By registering, the student understands that if the minimum enrollment of four students is not met, MAGG reserves the right to cancel the class. All students must register at least two weeks before the class start date to allow sufficient time to meet the minimum requirement and confirm the class will proceed as scheduled. If the class for which you are registering does not meet the minimum, you will be notified and given the opportunity to enroll in another offering. What if I miss a class? Students who miss one or more days of a class will be allowed to attend a maximum of ONE Open Studio Session for up to 4 hours for free. The student must schedule and complete their makeup session before the start of the next term's classes. To schedule the free Open Studio session, students must email the Office Manager Rian rian@metalartsguildga.org , and schedule the session in advance. Students who turn up to open studio without a scheduled makeup session will be turned away. What happens if a day of my class is cancelled? If the instructor misses a class, or the day's classes are cancelled due to inclement weather, your instructor will choose the makeup date for their class. New Student and Beginner Questions: What skills do I need to take Intro to Metalsmithing or Beginning Metalsmithing 1? No experience needed. What will I learn as a Beginner? We will teach you how to saw and pierce, texture, form, forge, make cold connections, sand, polish, set round or oval cabochon stones, use a flexshaft, use a torch to solder, and how to design jewelry. What do I need to buy as a beginning Metalsmith Student? When you take an in-person class at MAGG, you get access to our tools while you are in class. Tools can also be purchased from Dallas’ Tool Shop, located upstairs at MAGG. What tools are included in the purchase of the class? None. Each class will have a supply list of items you will need to purchase along with recommended tools from the instructor. Check the supply list on the class page for each class or workshop. How many Beginner Metalsmithing classes do I need to take before I can move to the Intermediate Level? We recommend that you take at least three Beginner (foundations) classes or 6 months of weekly classes before you sign-up for a higher level. Each student learns at a different pace. What is the difference between Intermediate and Advanced Classes? Once you possess a strong foundation in metalsmithing skills and are good at sawing, soldering, and forming metal, you can expand your knowledge by taking an Intermediate class. You will learn skills like setting faceted stones and how to work with prongs. You may also learn how to make chains and explore other metalsmithing techniques. Advanced students are serious metalsmiths and may often be professionals or skilled hobbyists. How often do you offer new classes? We have five sessions per year. We launch classes for registration 6-8 weeks before they start. Refer to our website for launch dates. Questions about Open Studio: Can I use MAGG's studio to work on my projects outside of class time? Yes! Open Studio at MAGG offers our members a place to work on their own projects and practice what was learned in class. Members have access to bench space, soldering stations, flex shafts, a polishing cabinet, and much more. Click here to learn more about Open Studio. Questions about virtual workshops: Can I watch the video of a workshop later? Yes! After the workshop is over we will post the video to YouTube and give you login information. Videos of workshops are available for 30 days following completion of the workshop. May I share the link to the video with my friend? NO! When purchasing a workshop you are buying it for you only. It is illegal to share this content with anyone and an infringement of the teacher’s legal agreement with MAGG. Will I be able to ask questions of the instructor or interact with other students if I take a workshop virtually? Yes! Each workshop has a dedicated Artist Assistant (AA) that will field questions to the instructor via chat or audio on Zoom. You can comment there to ask questions. If you have a question, it’s likely that someone else has the same one. We also want you to feel free to interact with one another in the chat. At MAGG we are all about the best experience possible, so let us know if you have any issues during a live broadcast. Will this class or workshop teach me how to source materials in the future? Yes! We will give you as many resources as you need. These resources include where to buy tools, metal, stones, etc. Our teachers do their best to set you up for success! More Questions? Contact Us

LOST WAX CASTING Current Lost Wax Casting Classes Sip 'n Saw with Todd Conover: Sculpting the Raven's Skull Tue, Feb 17 Virtual via Zoom More info RSVP Sip 'n Saw with Fyli Sissoko: Rhino 3D Modeling Sat, Feb 21 Metal Arts Guild of Georgia Studio B More info RSVP Sip 'n Saw with Ryan Gardner: Stone Setting Gamut Wed, Mar 11 Virtual via Zoom More info RSVP MAGG x Queer Metalsmiths Community Open House, March 14 , 2026 Sat, Mar 14 Metal Arts Guild of Georgia - Studio A More info RSVP **THIS EVENT MUST REMAIN ACTIVE** Tue, Dec 31 TEST ONLY More info Details 4th Bremer Design Challenge Register by Sept 30 ACJS Nov 4-6 More info Details Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Metal Arts Guild of Georgia Thu, Feb 05 Metal Arts Guild of Georgia More info Details It All Hinges on This Fri, Jan 09 MAGG Studio OR Virtual More info Details Sip ' Saw with Alex Boyd Thu, Dec 18 Virtual Zoom Call More info Details Guerilla Gold: More Flash Less Cash Mon, Dec 08 MAGG Studio More info Details Painting with Powdered Metals on Steel Sat, Dec 06 Instructor Bette Barnett at MAGG Studio More info Details Guerilla Gold Mon, Oct 20 MAGG Studio More info Details Wanna Mesh Around? Fusing and Enameling Woven Steel Mesh Mon, Oct 20 Instructor Bette Barnett at MAGG Studio More info Details Painting with Powdered Metals on Steel Sat, Oct 18 Instructor Bette Barnett at MAGG Studio More info Details Field Trip to the Judie Raiford Gallery Sat, Sep 27 Raiford Gallery More info Details Hidden Gems: Crafting Jewelry from Unlikely Materials Fri, Sep 12 Instructor Anna Johnson at MAGG Studio More info Details Sip 'n Saw with Bette Barnett Wed, Sep 10 Virtual More info Details Membership Offer Stone Within A Stone Fri, Aug 15 MAGG Studio OR Virtual More info Details Load More Lost wax casting, sometimes called cire perdue, is an ancient method of metal casting where a duplicate metal sculpture is cast from an original wax sculpture. Intricate works can be achieved by this method, which is still widely used for art and jewelry today. Rings, pendants, bracelets, and even gold teeth are all commonly made via the lost wax process. The History and Evolution of Wax Casting Lost wax casting dates back thousands of years , with its earliest known use in ancient jewelry making. Over the centuries, the technique has been refined and adapted, but the basic principles remain the same. It’s been used to create some of the world’s most famous sculptures, including those from the Renaissance era. The Lost-Wax Casting Process Lost wax casting involves several key stages, each requiring precision and care. Here’s a more detailed, step-by-step look as it would apply to the creation of a bronze sculpture (though this could be applied to other alloys & metals) Creating the Model The journey begins when you sculpt a model of the desired object in wax. This model is the exact replica of what you wish to cast in metal. The wax used can vary in type, ranging from beeswax to more specialized modeling waxes. The choice depends on the required detail and durability of the model that sculptors need to create. Investing the Wax Model Once the wax model is ready, it’s encased in mold material. Traditionally, this material is a kind of plaster and silica mixture called investment that can withstand high temperatures. The investing process involves encasing the wax model in investment captured in a stainless-steel tube called a flask, ensuring every detail of the wax is captured. Wax Removal After the investment is set and hardened, the flask is heated in a kiln. The heat causes the wax to melt and run out through the channels called sprues leaving behind a hollow cavity in the shape of the original wax model. This step, known as burnout, is crucial and must be done carefully to prevent the mold from cracking or the details from being lost. Pouring the Metal (Bronze Casting) After burnout, molten metal (in this case, molten bronze) is forced into the cavity left behind by the wax. There are two methods commonly used to accomplish this. Centrifugal casting, which uses a spinning mechanism to sling the molten metal into the cavity. Vacuum casting, which uses a powerful pump to suck the molten metal into the cavity. Cooling and Quenching After the metal has been poured, the mold is briefly left to cool. This cooling process is vital as it allows the metal to solidify properly. Once cooled, the flask is submerged in cold water to break up the investment and reveal the metal casting. Finishing Touches The final step in wax casting involves cleaning and polishing the cast metal. Any imperfections, such as seams or leftover bits from the sprues, are removed. Further details can be added by the artist or craftsman, and surfaces are polished or treated to prevent oxidation as required for the final piece. Rubber Mold Making When duplicates of an item are needed, rubber molds are used to produce duplicates of the same wax. These molds can either be vulcanized from layers of mold rubber with a metal master sandwiched between them. Alternative RTV (room temperature molds) can be made directly from wax or 3D-printed originals. As each wax makes one metal piece, being able to make waxes in quantity is the key to production casting. Investment Casting Also known as “Precision Casting”, the investment casting process specifically uses a ceramic shell for higher precision and detail (whereas lost-wax casting can use multiple materials), making it ideal for intricate, identical industrial parts. Investment casting is more time-consuming and costly, focusing on detail and repeatability, while lost-wax casting is more versatile. Foundry Applications in Art and Industry In art, wax casting is revered for its ability to produce sculptures with incredible detail and fidelity to the original design. Artists can create intricate and delicate works that would be impossible with other methods. In industry, it's used for making jewelry, dental fixtures, and components for machinery and electronics, demonstrating its versatility. The Future of Lost-Wax Casting Today, technology is shaping the future of lost-wax casting. 3D printing, for instance, is used to create more accurate models, expanding the possibilities for what can be created. Despite these advancements, the basic principle of lost-wax casting remains unchanged, proving its enduring value. Lost wax casting is more than just a method for creating objects; it’s a bridge between the past and the future, showcasing human innovation and artistic spirit. Stunning jewelry can be created through this process. Lost wax casting remains a vital and fascinating process. If you'd like to learn more about Wax Casting, or about dozens of other metalsmithing techniques, check out our classes here at the Metal Arts Guild of GA!

2023 Annual Jewelry Show Artist Application Metal Arts Guild of Georgia invites Jewelers, Metalsmiths, and Students to showcase their work at our Annual Jewelry Show VIP Preview: Friday, October 20 Public Show: Saturday, October 21 Briarcliff Woo ds Beach Club 1830 Morris Landers Drive NE Atlanta, GA 30345 The goal of the Annual Jewelry Show is to showcase the talent of our members and to reflect the mission of the Metal Arts Guild of Georgia: a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to advancing, enriching, and nurturing the creativity and community of metalsmiths in Georgia. This year's show has been e xpanded from one to two days with a VIP Wine Tasting Event kicking off the sale on Friday evening. Each selected artist will receive 6 VIP invitations to the Friday evening event for friends and family. Each selected artist will have the option to participate in MAGG's Silent Auction Fundraising Event on Friday night. Participation includes a display with the artist's photo, bio, and images of the artist's work, directing people to the artist's booth. This professional display will be given to each artist at the end of the evening. Only t wenty M etalsmith A rtists and four Student Artists (with less than two years of class experience) will be selected by the jury. All applications received by the deadline will be considered. Artists of all levels are encouraged to apply! You must be a MAGG Member to participate. Not a member yet? Join today! The show is centrally located in a thriving community clubhouse with a broad and diverse upscale membership who generously and enthusiastically support jewelry and craft events. This facility draws from a large area which includes Briarcliff, Emory, Brookhaven, Tucker, Decatur, Midtown, and beyond. The community outreach of the club is remarkable, and the local merchants have confirmed that posters and flyers are welcomed for our event. Of course, MAGG will be inviting our membership and guests from last year's event to attend, and we will be marketing to the Greater Atlanta Area within a 50-mile radius of the venue. Briarcliff Woods Beach Club is a bright space with hardwood floors, and high ceilings. The location is easily accessible from all major arteries to Atlanta’s Intown area and there are over 80 paved parking spaces including handicap for our guests to comfortably park and access the building. The Annual Jewelry Show will begin with a VIP exclusive jewelry showing and wine tasting Friday, October 20th from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. The main show will be Saturday, October 21st from 10:00am to 5:00pm. Apply to Participate

< Back Delft Clay Casting December 10, 2023 Instructor Tony Sanger | Explore basic sand casting for the fabrication of jewelry. Beginners welcome! Previous Add to Cart Next This is a LIVE, IN-PERSON event. Please plan to arrive no more than 15 minutes early to the class.

Gift Cards Metal Arts Guild of Georgia Gift Card $25 Giving an eGift Card for the Metal Arts Guild of Georgia's events is always a big hit. Choose an amount and personalize a message to make this gift your own. Give a gift that will never be returned! Amount $25 $50 $100 $150 $200 Other amount Quantity Buy Now

Metal Arts Guild of Georgia is pleased to announce our 2023 Online Silent Auction as a new addition to this year’s Annual Jewelry Show and Sale. All proceeds from the sales of the Silent Auction will help fund MAGG's relocation to a larger space in 2024. Our growth in the last few years has been remarkable, and we are looking for a new space to accommodate our thriving guild. 2023 Silent Auction Harold O'Connor Pin/pendant: silver, l8kt gold, Geode Travis Wright Rhodonite and Sterling Silver Earrings Diamond Luxury Mexico Resort Stay for Two 7 Night Stay at AAA Four Diamond Luxury Mexico Resort in Nuevo Vallarta, Riviera Maya, Acapulco or Puerto Peñasco for Two Harold O'Connor Pin/pendant: silver, l8kt gold, Geode 1/33 Metal Arts Guild of Georgia is pleased to announce our 2023 Online Silent Auction as a new addition to this year’s Annual Jewelry Show and Sale. All proceeds from the sales of the Silent Auction will help fund MAGG's relocation to a larger space in 2024. Our growth in the last few years has been remarkable, and we are looking for a new space to accommodate our thriving guild. Twenty-one artists have generously donated their work to this effort, including several world-renowned artists in addition to our local members. We have several other incredible items, such as gift cards from local restaurants, exciting travel packages, and a variety of metalsmithing tools and equipment from Lion Punch Forge, Lindstrom Tools, Pepe Tools, CraftOptics, and Cool Tools. The online auction opens to all bidders globally at Noon EDT on October 2, 2023, and final bids must be in by 8:30 pm EDT on October 20, 2023. The Annual Jewelry Show and Sale is being held Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Briarcliff Woods Beach Club at 1830 Morris Landers Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30345. Click here for more information about the show. Download the Givi app to bid from your mobile device Register to Bid on Desktop OR Would you like to give a financial donation to MAGG without bidding on an item? You can donate to MAGG anytime by clicking the button below. Make a Financial Contribution Thank you to our Jewelry Show Sponsors and Silent Auction Donors! Janet Dickinson Jewelry Artist Joyce Ryan Contributing Artists Who Are Exhibiting in the Show Donna D'Aquino Helen Blythe-Hart Regina Imbsweiler Jane Leavey Travis Wright May Engelhardt Leslie Litt Nina King Ricky Frank Judy Parady Erika Simon Aalia Mujtaba Susan Wachler Lisa Winn Ann Finley Have you committed to donating an auction item but have not sent it in yet? Click the button below to provide information about your donation. Donate an Auction Item Donations may be shipped to: Metal Arts Guild of Georgia Attn: Joan Barnes 5353 Buford Hwy NE Doraville, GA 30340 Please insure all shipments! If you prefer to drop off your donation, you may deliver it to Dallas Vinson (770) 519-2580 on the top floor of MAGG - Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. Contact Joan Barnes at joan@metalartsguildga.org or (678) 520-8724 if you have any questions.

Buy Now Pay Later BNPL with PayPal MAGG Now offers Buy Now Pay Later with PayPal: Buy now and pay over time with PayPal Credit anywhere PayPal is accepted. Just select PayPal under the payment section of our check out, this will redirect you to login to your PayPal account. (You must create a PayPal account) Login and select PayPal Credit in PayPal checkout. Terms and conditions apply. Learn more . Subject to credit approval.

< Back Lockets with the Hydraulic Press with Lisa Winn October 1, 2022 Design and make a locket that tells your story with texture, images, and words. Previous Add to Cart Next Click here for class details This is a LIVE, IN-PERSON event. Please plan to arrive no more than 15 minutes early to the class.

Members receive 8% OFF all classes and workshops! Advanced Jewelry (TUESDAY MORNING) Instructor Helen Blythe-Hart In-Person Only Tuesdays January 9 - February 20, 2024 10:30 am - 2:30 pm EST 7 Weekly Classes $339 Past Members receive 8% OFF! Click Here to Join Class Description Advanced jewelry students working independently will learn to hone their skills by learning from a lifelong professional Metalsmith and Jeweler. You’ll perfect the techniques needed to give your unique pieces that refined professional look. Demos will be given on a range of topics including stonesetting to soldering tips, design, fabrication and gold techniques to finishing like a pro. Prerequisite Must have at least 6 semesters of previous classes. Materials, Supplies & Tools Bring your favorite tools and any materials you like to work with. Instructor Bio Class Dates January 9, 2024 January 16, 2024 January 23, 2024 January 30, 2024 February 6, 2024 February 13, 2024 February 20, 2024

Second Saturdays are free and open to everyone, which makes it a great time to come see what the Metal Arts Guild is all about! Each Saturday consists of a mini-session that features a unique demo, theme, lesson, or challenge. Second Saturdays Second Saturdays at the Studio has been discontinued for the foreseeable future. Please join us for one of our many classes, workshops, and other special events like our Sip 'n Saw series. FREE and Open to the Public! Join us in the MAGG Studio on the Second Saturday of every month for Second Saturdays at the Studio This monthly mini session will consist of a unique demo, theme, lesson, or challenge to re-energize your studio practice! After the demo, Members with an Open Studio plan can stay for Open Studio to work. (Members can purchase an Open Studio plan here .) If you've never been to the MAGG Studio, this is a great opportunity to check us out! We love meeting new friends! Space is limited in our studio, so please RSVP to attend in person. No Upcoming Sessions Can’t make it in person? Join us on our Facebook page for a LIVE VIDEO of the demo.

About The Full Story Metal Arts Guild of Georgia Historical Overview In 1998, a group of likeminded metalsmiths, feeling the need for an organization to mentor, network, and nurture their interests in learning and mastery of metal art techniques, established the Georgia Goldsmith’s Group, now known as The Metal Arts Guild of Georgia. For the first 20 years, the membership ranks grew, as well as the programs and the Guild assets. The Guild brought a steady stream of world-renowned artists to Atlanta to teach a range of workshops for members. In addition, the Guild arranged for member participation in local festivals, organized tool and stone swaps, tours of local galleries, and built an inventory of tools and equipment to support members' increasing needs. All through this period they were a band of ‘roaming artisans’, pitching tents and setting up tables and tool stations wherever they could find workshop space at reasonable cost. Several visionary members saw the value of establishing a physical home. In May 2015, the Guild became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. A location was leased and the space built out specifically for metalsmithing endeavors. November 2016 marked the Grand Opening and offered even greater value for members. Four “member studios” were created as well as the establishment of the best equipped metalsmithing studio in the region. Class and workshop offerings increased markedly and the First ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE program of its kind in Georgia. Creativity has been fostered via regular Design Challenges, and MAGG hosts its own annual Art Jewelry Show and Sale, where members showcase and sell their creations in the fall of each year. MAGG was able to weather the pandemic by offering both virtual and in-person classes and by supporting a jewelry tool business on site. It's 2023 and our 25th anniversary. The future continues to look bright for MAGG as we continue to grow by offering a robust class and workshop schedule for an ever growing membership with diverse skills and interests. Let’s Work Together Get in touch so we can start working together. First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

< Back Georgia Talent Cassidy apprenticed in Atlanta, Georgia with Starr Miller and Troy Atterberry, two prominent southeastern custom jewelers. She studied at New Approach School for Jewelers, a state of the art jewelry school started by Blaine Lewis. Cassidy spent many years within fine jewelry sales, repair and fabrication for various commercial locations around Georgia. She now owns and runs Cassidy Jewelry and Cassidy Jewelry Artisan Collective employing and supporting other female artists from around the world. She has a diverse academic background in communications, linguistics, and second-language acquisition earning a Bachelor of Science from Liberty University. In effort to keep old jewelry traditions alive, Cassidy creates each original jewelry design by hand using wax carving techniques. Wax carving dates back as far as the fourth millennium BC. Cassidy aims to preserve these historic techniques imbuing an other worldly soul within each piece that is thoroughly hand made. http://www.cassidyjewelry.online https://www.instagram.com/cassidykento/ Cassidy Kento Class Gallery Wax Ring Carving Stone Setting: Rounds, Ovals and Pears