We had a very satisfying open weekend for members at the beginning of December, a fantastic response, thankyou. We hope you are inspired by our new setting. We are looking forward to a busy and productive 2013, and to spending time together in the studio. Thankyou, too, for the great response to the member survey which has given us clear and encouraging ideas as to how we move forward!
All in all, it has been a very enjoyable year together. We are just so pleased to have made it into our own space and be able to see forward as far as providing a more flexible and satisfying resource to students and practitioners of silversmithing and all its complimentary skills!
Progress is continuing on the physical building and a few ends to be tied up before we are finally declared complete, but not far to go.
Please bear with us as we move forward. Keep us informed of your ideas, and how things are working for you as we go along. We want to do a good job of running this space and it is a work in progress! If you can help out let us know how.
Lots to read this month, I hope you find it all encouraging, and a tiny bit exciting, I know I am excited!
We wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas time and look forward to a fantastic 2013.
Member Access
The committee held an extra meeting to discuss the outcomes of the survey you filled in and talk about some of the finer details of how and when the studio will be accessed. We have decided to have a 3 month trial running from January to the end of March, to see how effective it is to have someone manning the space on the days that were most requested. The committee members doing this are acting in an entirely voluntary capacity.
*This is a completely different set-up than was possible at the Arts Centre as we no longer have someone on-site for trading purposes. It also needs to be a bit more user-pays as we have to meet the entire rent and running costs ourselves instead of sharing that cost with a commercial entity. It will cost $10 per day if you pay as you go, or there are 10day concession tickets for sale at $80 ($8 a day). This helps towards running costs, tool maintenance and replacement, and some consumables.
•Some silver will be available for sale: wire, small pieces of plate, and some casting grains.
•Gift Vouchers for our night classes, and concession tickets will be for sale.
•Wednesdays were the most desired weekday, and Saturday for the weekends.
•There is a members' monthly workshop on the second Saturday of the month as well. 10am-4pm. $20 These are very popular and you need to be quick and book in with Arthur 382 1332
•Once a month there will be a FREE members' clubnight, on the third Thursday of the month, 7pm-10pm, with a focus topic announced in the newsletter. Any suggestions you have are welcome, give Arthur a call on 382 1332. There will be a hot drink available. Bring something to work on with you, or just come and hang out. It is a great time to problem solve and share ideas. There are some pretty experienced people who might have just the solution you are looking for!
Details of what is available at this point, are as follows:
¶ Saturdays Workshop Open, January 12th to end of March. 9.30am-1pm
January: 12th, 19th, 26th
February: 2nd, 9th Delft Clay and Cuttlefish Casting Workshop: 10am-4pm, 16th, 23rd
March: 2nd, 9th Chain MakingWorkshop: 10am-4pm, 16th, 23rd, 30th
¶ Wednesdays Workshop Open, January 16th to end of March. 10am-3pm
January: 16th, 23rd, 30th
February: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
March: 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th
¶ Free Clubnight, 3rd Thursday of the Month, 7pm-10pm
January: 17th
February: 21st
March: 21st
¶ Monthly Committee Meetings, 1st Monday of each Month, 7pm - how long it takes!
¶ Night Classes are on Tuesday and Wednesday Nights and possibly Thursday Mornings
¶ Night Classes are on Tuesday and Wednesday Nights and possibly Thursday Mornings
¶ February Members' Workshop Saturday 9th, 10am-4pm
•Cuttlefish and Delft Clay Casting
A great way to use up all those leftover scraps you have been collecting. Bring along some small objects you would like to reproduce, and/or ideas for carving into the cuttlefish.
Cost: $20
Book: Ring Arthur 382 1332
Bonus! *The Gem seller will be here tonight as well.*
An inspiring start to your jewellery making year!
You don't need to pay anything if you are only coming to see the gem seller :)
¶ March Members' Workshop Saturday 9th, 10am-4pm
•Chain Making
Come along and learn about chain making. The possibilities are endless, and a few tips to help you on your way. There is nothing like a handmade chain to compliment your jewellery piece or as a stand-alone statement!
Cost: $20
Book: Ring Arthur 382 1332
Housekeeping:
We are required to have people sign in and out again so it can be ascertained whether the building is clear should there be an emergency. Please be conscientious and sign in and out in the book provided so we meet these requirements.
We are a teaching organization with a focus on sharing skills and information. Please don't use us as a base for manufacturing. You need to have your own studio and equipment if you are manufacturing multiples with a view to adding to your stock.
Please be safety conscious. Take care of yourself and the others around you, there are significant risks in a workshop. Beware of chemicals, flames, and sharp objects! There is a first aid box on top of the cupboard outside the toilet.
Please leave things ready to go for the next people using this space, tidy and with everything returned to its place. This includes the kitchen and bathroom areas. Thankyou:)
Upcoming Event:
As tenants of the Cassels and Sons complex there will be events that we can participate in from time to time. Usually there will be plenty of notice, but there is a market day on the 15th December that is just too close to have let you all know in time to make it possible for members to participate this time. We will be manning a stall to promote the guild and let people know where we are, alongside the other tenants who will have products for sale. We won't be selling any jewellery this time, just showing off some of what we do. Drop in and say hi and have a look around if you are passing.
Introducing your Committee Members cont.
Karen Atherton -Secretary
I moved to Christchurch from San Francisco nine years ago to pursue a simpler, less stressful and more creative way of living. In New Zealand, my husband Mark and I fell in love with Christchurch and the relaxed Kiwi lifestyle.I learned basic metalworking techniques by attending the Guild's ten week courses at the Arts Centre where my teacher was Christchurch jewellery artist Monique Connell. I continued to develop my jewellery design and silversmith techniques at Hagley College for two years, again learning from Monique and from Katrina Brehaut, another excellent jewellery maker. I joined the Silversmiths Guild of Canterbury as soon as I was proficient and have served on the committee for several years. I have enjoyed the camaraderie of committee work very much and I also have felt energised and challenged by the opportunity over the last year and a half to join the tutoring team and help teach our Level 1 classes. It is very absorbing work that demands that I completely understand any specific technique I am trying to teach and be able to communicate my message clearly. I take regular advantage of continuing education in the form of workshops that the Guild provides. There is nothing better than getting together with friends on a Saturday morning to learn and practice a new technique.
I love to work in sterling silver -- the range of textures and finishes possible with this medium could keep me happily occupied for years, but I also like to incorporate copper into my silver pieces for its warm glow and amazing range of colours. I have a large collection of antique buttons and often incorporate special ones into my designs. I am inspired by the New Zealand Arts and Crafts movement of the early 20th Century. My imagination is also constantly stimulated by the richness of New Zealand plant and animal life, especially in the South Island.
I have a studio at home and love to work alone when I need to concentrate but working with a group, sharing ideas and getting immediate feedback about designs a real joy. I am so glad to be in our new studio at The Tannery. It has been a long road since the first earthquake to get here but I am glad to be part of the rebirth in Woolston.
Diederic
John's interest in silversmithing began during his time with the Canterbury mineral and lapidary club in the 1970's. He attended courses at Nelson Polytechnic and then hung up his torch for a few years before relighting it with the silversmiths guild. He has served on the committee for a few years and helped with weekend workshops. Johns work is inspired by patterns in nature and he enjoys trying new techniques. He has successfully exhibited his work and is currently planning his workshop in Golden Bay whilst continuing to work full time as a hydrogeologist helping to fix up and ensure the continuity of Christchurch's water supply.
Jo became involved in silversmithing after receiving some jewellery made by Deanne Gracie, bought from Connexions in the Arts Centre. After talking to one of the artists on duty, Jo enrolled in the beginners' night class run by the guild, and never looked back! She has been part of the guild for 5 years and serves on the committee, publishing the newsletter and sharing the tutoring of our night courses. Jo has also attended the Hagley Community College Jewellery course for a couple of years, building on previous skills and developing new ones to add to her practice.
Jo works mainly in sterling silver, often combined with copper, and some semi-precious stones. She is attracted to texture and contrast in colour and surface treatments, enjoying both the feel and the look of her pieces. Her main inspirations comes from the natural world, and the world of fairy stories and archetypes. Jo loves a capturing a moment that tells a story, and interpretation by the viewer.
Jo enjoys the sharing of ideas and knowledge, and loves that moment when someone suddenly grasps a concept and finds they have acquired a new skill to create their piece of jewellery. She finds something really exciting about seeing someone's pleasure at their finished piece and being able to say they made it themselves! She also enjoys how much you learn from each other as you share what you know yourself.
SSG Committee Meeting Dec 3, 2012- a summary
7 p.m.
Present:
Arthur, Crystal, John W., Diederic, Solvejg, Karen
Apologies:
Jo, Noeline
Matters arising: Plinths: We agreed to order the MC90 plinths with
extruded edges. Noeline will be back
Thursday and will order them. They will take about ten days from order to
delivery.
Correspondence: Woman from Coil Gallery in
Wellington wants help to start a silversmiths’ guild in that area. They will specialize in teaching rather than
moneymaking. We agreed to talk to her
and help her as we can.
Ian Shackley can come sell gems to us
anytime. Suggested during the next
workshop. Crystal will contact him and
ask him to come the second Saturday in Feb.
Treasurer’s report: Diederic presented the
monthly financial report stating that we have $5,446 although we still need to
pay SIT’s rent. We will have new income
from classes in February. Arthur moved
to accept report, approved.
Diederic also presented a draft of the next
yearly budget. He has changed the
exhibition charges and gains to the trading account rather than the Guild
account. Also has planned for three
classes in two terms. Tutor fees have
been raised Diederic also
asked for a notation of “member” or “student” when selling silver. He asked that we compile a list of things to
be bought using Creative New Zealand money.
Arthur said we have about $1,500 worth of tools to try to put through
the CNZ account.
Class report: Two people have signed up
for Level 1 and two for Level 2. Noeline
asks that current students email her to show interest so she can save them
places.
Security: Diederic has had two company reps in to give
quotes for a security system. FBI’s
would be similar to the one at SIT. John Ogilvie suggested another system where
we buy various parts and install them as needed. John Ogilvie will come and explain it further
to Diederic and Arthur. The Tannery will
have a security system as well. We need
to see if they can add us to it.
Diederic will talk to Grant McIver.
Arthur visited a safe company who also do
alarm systems. We discussed modest
signage so as not to attract burglars by announcing “Silversmiths”. Peka has deadbolts on their doors. Arthur suggested venetian blinds on door and
window. Arthur will chase up the window
closures again and will also buy a safe.
It is fireproof, 250x350x300 with
a shelf. Has code system with a key
override.
Sanitary disposal: Diederic contacted the
company who perform this service for The Tannery. They will empty the
sanitary bin once a week. Price will go
down when we join The Tannery. The
service people will come when we are here rather than be given a key.
Meeting to discuss Studio Operating
Rules: We
will have a meeting this Saturday at 9:30 to discuss survey results and to work
on Studio operating rules. We will also
finalise plans for the Pop-Up Showcase.
Karen will draft an agenda for Arthur’s approval and send it out.
Special membership meeting: We will have a special
meeting with six weeks’ notice in order to ratify studio rules and to vote on
suggested changes to the constitution.
Probably will send out notice in January for meeting in late Feb.
Steiner School Jewellery Class: Solvejg has been asked to
teach a jewellery making class to twelve Steiner School students ages 14, 15,
16 to start off their school year with a burst of creativity. They want a three-day course:
Jan 30 11-2:30
Jan 31 All day
Feb 1 9-12
They will need three tutors and a teacher
to accompany and be responsible for them.
We need to ask the school to clarify transport, food, supervision,
liability coverage and attendance requirements.
The students will need to wear appropriate clothing and tie back
hair. The projects will be a choice of a
single layer ring or a pendant make out of copper. For an extra charge they will have the option
of working in silver. Karen and Arthur will help tutor with Solvejg.
Gallery: Solvejg suggested that someone contact
Barbara at Magma Gallery (soon to open at The Tannery) to find offer a
permanent display case with pieces for sale.
Press Release Draft: Karen provided a draft
press release to announce our new home at The Tannery. Corrections and additions were suggested and
Karen will produce another one.
Meeting adjourned at 9 p.m.
