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The Story behind Instructor Helen Blythe-Hart's piece “Self Portrait as a Funnel Top Teapot” held in collection at Deutches Goldschmeidehaus HB Paying a visit to her piece in Germany, "Self Portrait as a Funnel Top Teapot" In March, HB took a pilgrimage to the Deutches Goldschmeidehaus Metalsmithing Museum in Hanau, Germany. The museum purchased HB's piece "Self Portrait as a Funnel Top Teapot" in 2001, during the International Silver Triennial exhibition. “Self Portrait as a Funnel Top Teapot” is hand fabricated in sterling silver with cast pieces and opal. It’s about 8” tall, and full of symbolic and narrative elements that reflect HB's personal creative process. "This self portrait represents my artistic process where ideas funnel into me from the sieve-like head and wash into my insides where the art is conceived. The Opal represents looking outward into the universe and the closed eye looking inward. The stuff inside of me is what creates the Art, and then once steeped, pours out over my hands like tea into the world." Cast silver objects "Inside is a treadmill with a high heeled shoe and a boot symbolizing the struggle to balance the feminine and toughness necessary to pursue Metalsmithing as a career. There’s an actual moving mousetrap to transmute the things that eat away at a person like the mice eating cheese. A demon, one dimensional as it is, represents something everyone struggles with at times. " Reclaimed red glass heart "The Twin Towers, pyramid, Chrysler Building and Jetsons style space needle show my love for architecture as an inspiration. There’s also a waft of Argyle swirling through which represents my philosophy of the cyclical nature of art and creativity. The glass heart came from a set of beautiful red glasses my mother once gave me. During her losing battle with cancer, one of the glasses broke. I took the pieces of the broken glass and melted them back together to represent me putting the pieces of my broken heart back together to make something beautiful emerge from the pain. " The Deutches Goldschmeidehaus purchased the piece during the International Silver Triennial exhibition in 2001 shortly after the tragedy of 911. HB recalls this period – "I could see the smoke billowing from the burning towers from my back yard. That experience affected me deeply. It was an honor for me to have this very personal piece purchased early in my career by a place that would display it for so many to enjoy." Deutsches Goldschmiedehaus in Hanau is one of Germany’s most important museums devoted to contemporary jewelry, silversmithing, and metal arts. Housed in a reconstructed Renaissance timber-frame building, it has been a major exhibition center for gold- and silversmithing since 1942, with strong ties to Hanau’s historic jewelry-making tradition and the Staatliche Zeichenakademie. Its influence extends internationally through exhibitions on studio jewelry, hollowware, conceptual adornment, and experimental metalwork. HB's piece "Self Portrait as a Funnel Top Teapot" is held in their permanent collection. Current exhibitions open to the public include “Spuren legen. Mit Materialität erzählen” (through Oct. 18, 2026), the Friedrich Becker Prize 2026 exhibition, and “Aus dem Depot. Eine Bestandsaufnahme,” a survey of postwar jewelry and metal arts from the museum collection.

In case you missed our live stream on Saturday, check out the free demo we offered. Thank you to Ricky Frank and Anie Piliguian, the inventor of the amazing Jool Tool. The Metal Arts Guild of Georgia is proud to offer this tool as a resource for our members. All you need to do to use it is buy your own consumable discs from https://jooltool.com

MAGG is seeking a member to take on the role of our Sip 'N Saw Chairperson The responsibilities of this volunteer role includes: Reach out to our booked metalsmith instructors who are conducting workshops in the future to schedule a virtual Sip 'N Saw talk. Develop the dialog of what will be covered in the lecture - artist's history and life, studio tour, demos of techniques, discussion of upcoming workshops, Q & A session, really.......anything that is interesting for our community. These are fun and informal. Hosting the 90-minute talk with metalsmith artists from around the country who want to share the love of their craft. You will have the flexibility to pick dates and times that work for you and the artists to conduct the lectures as they will be recorded and hosted on our website and Youtube channel for future views. If you would like to explore this idea and learn more, please send an email to education@metalartsguildga.org. We would love to see your smiling face hosting our program. We are open to having multiple hosts if you want to grab your bestie and take this on. You must be a Bronze MAGG member to take on this role. Thanks! MAGG Board

As the sun rose over the desert horizon, casting a golden glow over the landscape, we felt a rush of excitement coursing through our veins. Today was the day we had been eagerly awaiting for months - the day we would finally experience the Tucson Gem Show. Tucson, Arizona, renowned for its annual gem show, was transformed into a bustling hub of gemstone enthusiasts, collectors, and vendors from all corners of the globe. The moment we stepped onto the grounds of the Keno show, we were greeted with giant, rough gems and a kaleidoscope of colors. We even saw a bathtub made out of stone. Entering the tents felt like stepping into a treasure trove. Rows upon rows of booths were adorned with shimmering displays of $2, $5, and $10 gems in every hue imaginable. From the deepest sapphire blues to the vibrant greens of emeralds, and the fiery reds of rubies, each gem seemed to radiate its own unique energy. We wandered through the aisles, marveling at the beauty and diversity of the gems on display. Everywhere we looked, there were sparkling crystals, polished cabochons, and intricately carved gemstones. The air was filled with the sound of vendors enthusiastically sharing their knowledge and passion for their craft. As the day wore on, we found ourselves lost in a world of wonder and fascination. We lost track of time and forgot to eat as we immersed ourselves in the beauty of the gems and the stories of the people who had dedicated their lives to them. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, signaling the end of another day at the Tucson Gem Show, we made our way toward the exit. Though our feet were tired and our wallets were considerably lighter, the days there were filled with memories of the awe-inspiring beauty of earth's treasures. We knew that the magic of the Tucson Gem Show would stay with us forever. Janet & Joan 2024

In these Tool Time @ MAGG videos, Piper Epsey & Dallas Vinson explain how to use four essential metalsmithing tools. Video & editing provided by Jessica Lopez! Jump Ring Maker A jump ring maker is a tool that helps create uniform and consistent jump rings for jewelry making. It typically consists of a mandrel and a handle for wrapping wire, which is then cut to make individual rings. Superior Ring Bender A Superior Ring Bender is a tool used for bending and shaping metal into rings for jewelry making. It consists of a series of rollers that can be adjusted to bend metal into different shapes and sizes, allowing for precise and consistent results. Center Finder A center finder is a tool that helps locate the center point of a round or square metal blank for piercing or drilling. It consists of two arms that can be adjusted to fit the metal blank, and a center punch is used to mark the center point accurately for subsequent drilling or piercing. Smith Little Torch The Smith Little Torch is a small, versatile welding and brazing torch used for jewelry making and other small-scale metalworking. It produces a hot and precise flame that can be adjusted to accommodate different metals and soldering techniques For more Tool Time videos and other MAGG updates, check out the rest of our blog! To gain hands-on experience with these tools and many more, sign up for one of our metalsmithing classes!

Our 2022 Jewelry Show was a huge success. Check out our Facebook video to see it in action last year. The Annual Jewelry Show is produced by The Metal Arts Guild of Georgia (MAGG). We are a volunteer-run guild of metalsmiths who call the Greater Atlanta area home. We are the most prominent metalsmithing organization of its kind in the Southeast. A holiday tradition, the Metal Arts Sale from MAGG was the largest local artisan jewelry event in Atlanta in 2022. Thirty-three (33) of the Guild’s outstanding artists, ranging from students to professionals and nationally recognized metalsmiths, showcased their most exciting pieces, representing a wide assortment of styles, techniques, and prices. Attendees got to browse creations from various metalsmiths, silversmiths, and goldsmiths -all created locally and handmade by registered guild members & participants. In addition, the Guild highlighted its outreach to young and beginning metalsmiths, nurturing the craft to a new generation. We also dove into the history, development, and future plans of the Metal Arts Guild, which are focused on expanding the arts and making them more accessible to everyone. The event debuted in a new location, Briarcliff Woods Beach Club, 1830 Morris Landers Drive, NE, Atlanta 30345. The new venue offered enhanced display space and demonstration areas for the artists and convenience for attendees. We are in the planning stages of our next show for the fall of 2023. Stay tuned for date and application information. The Metal Arts Guild of Georgia is an all-volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit metalsmithing guild made up of beginners to professional jewelry artists residing at 5353 Buford Hwy., Doraville, GA 30340.

We are pleased to have visiting artist Nash Quinn teaching a virtual workshop this summer. His two-day workshop is the weekend of June 3rd and 4th, 2023 from 10:00am to 4:00pm EDT. To learn more about this workshop, listen to our most recent Sip and Saw Event, and be sure to check out our other classes to see if any topics interest you!

At the Atlanta Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, our very own Alan Bremer spent last weekend demonstrating fold-forming, one of the many techniques used in the art of metalworking. We're excited to be working with BSA to offer a program where scouts can earn the Metalworks Badge at MAGG. Our Metalworks Badge program consists of three opportunities for scouts to earn the badge, and each participant will learn the basics of studio safety and metallurgy. Depending on the day they choose, participants will either create a handkerchief slide with scout themes, a decorated metal box, or cast an object in either pewter or bronze. Through this program, scouts will have the opportunity to learn hands-on about the art and science of metalworking, and gain valuable skills in creativity, design, and problem-solving. They will also learn about studio safety and the importance of using proper techniques and equipment. At MAGG, we are committed to providing educational opportunities for people of all ages and skill levels who are interested in the art of metalworking. We believe that this partnership with the Boy Scouts of America is a great way to introduce young people to the world of metalworking and inspire them to explore their creativity and imagination. We are excited to be working with BSA on this program, and we look forward to welcoming scouts to MAGG to earn their Metalworks Badge. For more information about this program, please visit the Atlanta BSA website. Thank you for supporting the arts and education in our community, and we hope to develop more community outreach programs in the future.

This is a new column that we'll be posting semi-regularly to highlight our members and their work. First up for this column is our long-time member, Alan Bremer. Tell us a little about yourself I love the sculptural quality and scale of jewelry. Jewelry is body ornament and talisman, personal but public. It is a work of art that is chosen to be displayed in public on the body. It is in motion--not static in a case or on a wall. As simple as a bobble or as complex and meaningful as any art, jewelry is personal and public for the creator as well as the wearer. How did you get started in metalsmithing? I became attracted to the craft of jewelry in my early twenties. Through my father’s medical orthopedic appliance business, I was familiar with machinery, hand tools and metal. I had always been interested in the arts and had worked in a jewelry crafts store in a tourist area of Florida. As stimulating as the Florida crafts community was, I was attracted to other forms of expression and commerce and moved to New York to study as a photographer and later as a videographer. Over the next two decades, I built a career in photography and video, got married, and started a family. During all that time, I kept a small trunk with some of my jewelry equipment and tools--thinking that someday I would make jewelry again, if only as a hobby. The opportunity came when our family moved to Atlanta with a transfer of my wife’s job. Out came the jewelry tools and this time, with more formal training through classes and workshops, I was able to put my full energy and heart into exploring the potential of the jeweler’s art. Which materials do you create with most or which techniques do you use most? What do you like about these materials/techniques? I create hand-crafted jewelry and decorative objects using silver, gold, and other metals. I also incorporate found objects and precious/semi-precious stones. I am inspired by learning, observing, and incorporating new techniques in my work. I like to develop series of designs—exploring a new idea until I understand the technique and have taken it as far as I can. I often return to a series, adding new pieces and touches, after I have gained new competence and understanding. Do you have any tips or tricks you'd like to share? For several years now, I have been teaching jewelry making at Chastain Arts Center, creating and exhibiting my jewelry at shows and in galleries, and working with the Metal Arts Guild of Georgia to enhance opportunities for people to grow in their skills, engagement, and excitement with hand-crafted metal arts. I love sharing my knowledge and collaborating.

Drumma Boy and the Metal Arts Guild of GA have collaborated to create an amazing new workshop which will be available both in-person and online! Students will learn all the skills they need to create custom Grillz that are ready for added gems and precious metals. For more about the workshop & the inspirations behind it, check out our video with Drumma Boy & Rita McMorris! Grillz Workshop Details The Grillz workshop will take place over the course of 2 days - May 6th & 7th. You will learn molding, casting, quenching, and many more skills during this two-day learning experience. This is an entry-level workshop, so the only skills you need are hand-eye coordination & patience! Selling with Drumma Boy Metalsmithing is an incredibly fun & rewarding craft to learn, but it also provides significant income-earning opportunities! As part of our collaboration, students will be eligible to sell their Grillz on Drumma Boy’s House of Fresh website! Sign Up for a Class The Metal Arts Guild of GA is always creating new courses teaching new cohorts of students - if you’re interested in seeing more of what MAGG has to offer, check out our full list of classes. If you would like to stay up-to-date on what we’re doing here at MAGG, you can also subscribe to our newsletter and keep and eye on our blog for more updates!

https://youtu.be/HDHNIZFp4Ok We had a great time interviewing one of our members Ama McKinley last weekend at MAGG. Check out the interview and learn about her jewelry inspiration, why she makes waistbands, her travels to India and what it was like to see gemstones being faceted and drilled by hand.

If you haven't attended Second Saturdays at MAGG you are missing out. Elizabeth Debban, who teaches jewelry and metalsmithing in Cobb county, donates her time at MAGG to offer free classes on jewelry design and inspiration on the second Saturday of each month. If you can't attend in person, you can watch it live on our Facebook page. Check out her most recent talk about Narrative Jewelry. The next class is February, 11th at 10:30am and open to the public.