Artist In Residence

Your testimonials help showcase the vibrant community at the Metal Arts Guild of Georgia. Here are some ideas to consider for your testimonial: Your Journey: Share some initial challenges or goals prior to joining MAGG. MAGG’s Impact: Describe how MAGG’s instructors, programming, resources and community impacted you on your metalsmithing journey. Positive Outcomes: Highlight the benefits you’ve gained, or share the positive experiences you have had since becoming a member or student at MAGG. We encourage you to share your experiences and help us continue building a supportive and thriving community. Love MAGG? Send us a Love Note! Star rating Name Testimonial Submit First name Last name Email Social Media/Website I am a...* MAGG Student MAGG Instructor Bronze Member Visitor Next

< Back Prongs, Hinges and Gold, Oh My! April 22, 2023 Instructor Alex Boyd | Make a prong setting for a tablet style stone in 22k gold and sterling silver, and attach the setting via a hinge to a bezel set cabochon with a hidden bail. Previous Add to Cart Next SIGN UP by MARCH 10th for EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT - $25 OFF! Register for EITHER the in-person OR virtual event. If attending virtually, live interaction with the in-person class will occur via Zoom. If attending in-person, Please plan to arrive no more than 15 minutes early to the class. ----- CAN'T ATTEND LIVE? ----- ----- WANT TO REVIEW WHAT YOU LEARNED? ----- A recording of the workshop will be available to all participants for 30 days following the workshop.

< Back Link and Connect It December 15, 2024 Instructor Jenn Wells | This two session demonstration filled workshop will cover different ways to create chains and link pendants . Demonstrations will include; rivet and hinge variations from wire, partial tubing and drilled thick stock, and freely moving linking methods. Previous Add to Cart Next Taught by Guest Instructor Jennifer Wells Please Note- this class will be held 12/8 and 12/15! This virtual demonstration filled workshop will cover different ways to create chains and link pendants. Demonstrations will include; rivet and hinge variations from wire, partial tubing and drilled thick stock, and linking items together in ways that achieve ease of movement. We’ll focus on the pendant and chain forms, playing with how to create movement within the pieces, which participants may later apply to earrings, bracelets or other works. A PDF handout will accompany the workshop for participants to have for their future making adventures. If participants follow the demonstration in the workshop, they can expect to have a collection of examples and an understanding of a variety of additional possibilities within the techniques demonstrated. Download Class Supply List

Members receive 8% OFF all classes and workshops! Embracing the process, Fused and Reticulated Sterling Silver, Pearl and unusual stone setting strategies Instructor Todd Conover In-Person Friday June 13, 2025 10am-5pm EST 3 Day Workshop $540 Register Now Members receive 8% OFF! Click Here to Join Class Description Join us for a three-day jewelry and silversmithing class focused on working with fused and reticulated sterling silver, setting strategies for unconventional stones, pearls, and crafting custom pin back mechanisms. Day One covers the basics: you'll learn about tools, materials, and techniques for fusing and reticulating sterling silver. You'll also explore setting odd-shaped stones and pearls to create a sample brooch complete with a handmade sterling silver and spring steel pin back mechanism. Day Two is all about your creativity. You'll start your own individual project—whether it's a brooch, pendant, earrings, or another piece—using the skills from day one you'll personalize your design and learn additional techniques to bring your vision to life. On Day Three, you'll refine your project and focus on perfecting the details or embark on a second creative piece. Throughout the class, you'll receive personalized guidance based on your skill level. The atmosphere is supportive and collaborative, encouraging you to explore and create. By the end, you'll not only have beautifully crafted jewelry pieces but also a wealth of new skills to apply to future projects. Prerequisite Materials, Supplies & Tools Instructor Bio Class Dates

< Back Intermediate to Advanced Metalsmithing (THURSDAY MORNING) January 11, 2024 Instructor Regina Imbsweiler | This class will focus on two suggested projects, a necklace and earrings, which will deepen students' knowledge and skills in all jewelry techniques, including stone setting. 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.

Members receive 8% OFF all classes and workshops! (Friday Mornings) Repousse Instructor Kathy Kinev In-Person Only Fridays March 15 - May 3, 2024 10:00am - 1:30pm EST 7 Weekly Classes $297 Past Members receive 8% OFF! Click Here to Join Class Description This is a LIVE, IN-PERSON event. Please plan to arrive no more than 15 minutes early to the class. ***Please Note: No Classes Week of March 30 - April 10*** Challenge yourself to learn two ancient Egyptian techniques and use them to create modern designs. Repousse, which hammers a design from the backside of a piece of metal, creates unique and beautiful ornamentation. This is not a class to miss! Kathy is a master and a fabulous teacher. Only one other place in the US is teaching this technique. Come to MAGG and take advantage of this unique opportunity. Prerequisite No Prerequisites Needed Materials, Supplies & Tools RepousseSupplyList .pdf Download PDF • 43KB Instructor Bio Class Dates March 15, 2024 March 22, 2024 March 29, 2024 April 5, 2024 (No Class) April 12, 2024 April 19, 2024 April 26, 2024 May 3, 2024

Members receive 8% OFF all classes and workshops! (Wednesday Afternoons) Directed Open Studio Beginners/Intermediate Instructor Donna D'Aquino In-Person Only Wednesdays March 13 - May 15, 2024 2:00pm - 5:30pm EST 8 Weekly Classes $339 Past Members receive 8% OFF! Click Here to Join Class Description This is a LIVE, IN-PERSON event. Please plan to arrive no more than 15 minutes early to the class. ***Please Note: No Classes Week of March 30 - April 10*** Did you start a project in a beginning class that you really wanted to finish? Maybe you ran out of time, or have questions about how to proceed? Do you need more practice in a properly equipped studio space? Are you looking for a gentle, (very) experienced hand to help you out? Have you had at least one beginning class (or maybe several) but don’t feel confident enough to move to a more advanced class level? If you answered “YES!” to one or all of these questions, then this class is for you! Come join me to complete those projects, build your skills and gain more confidence in your jewelry making journey. Prerequisite No Prerequisites Needed Materials, Supplies & Tools There is no supply list for this course as students should bring in individual pieces or projects that they would like help finishing. If you have any questions in regard to supplies you may need to finish your project, please get in touch with me so I can help you be prepared for the first day of class. Instructor Bio Class Dates March 13, 2024 March 20, 2024 March 27, 2024 April 3, 2024 (No Class) April 10, 2024(No Class) April 17, 2024 April 24, 2024 May 1, 2024 May 8, 2024 May 15, 2024

< Back Desert Wildlife Conservation This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Want to view and manage all your collections? Click on the Content Manager button in the Add panel on the left. Here, you can make changes to your content, add new fields, create dynamic pages and more. You can create as many collections as you need. Your collection is already set up for you with fields and content. Add your own, or import content from a CSV file. Add fields for any type of content you want to display, such as rich text, images, videos and more. You can also collect and store information from your site visitors using input elements like custom forms and fields. Be sure to click Sync after making changes in a collection, so visitors can see your newest content on your live site. Preview your site to check that all your elements are displaying content from the right collection fields. Power in Numbers 30 Programs 50 Locations 200 Volunteers Project Gallery Previous Next

< Back Stone Setting: Rounds, Ovals and Pears January 9, 2023 Instructor Cassidy Kento | Explore the basics of gemstone anatomy and learn how to successfully set gemstones in prong settings. 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.

< Back Beginner Metalsmithing and Jewelry (DAYS) September 20, 2023 Instructor Donna D'Aquino | Learn the ancient craft of making silver and copper jewelry by hand. You will learn how to design, saw and pierce, texture, form, forge, make cold connections, and use a torch to solder. 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.

FORGING Current Forging Classes No events at the moment 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!