Club news by eileen moss

• Our shop is now back at full scheduling from previous reduced summer hours.  For full details, please check the Calendar our website.  Our current open shop times are Sunday’s from 10-1pm, Tuesday’s from 10-1pm and 630-830pm, Wednesday’s from 10-1pm and Thursday’s from 10-1pm.
• On Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings, we teach lapidary skills or how to cut and polish gemstones.  Training is free and all equipment is provided.  By the end of the session, you will have created a polished cabochon and have learned how to use the small saw, grinders and sanders.
• Our beginner silversmithing course continues to be very popular.  Generally the course is full within a few hours of posting.  Class sizes are limited to 6 students to better meet the student's needs.  Current courses are scheduled for Sunday afternoons, Monday mornings, Wednesday afternoons and Friday mornings. We have also upgraded the skills required for a successful completion of the beginner course.  Open shop usage is restricted to those who have either completed a beginner silversmithing or lapidary course.
• Along with the beginner silversmithing course, we also teach a range of intermediate silversmithing courses.  Current courses in September and October are wax casting, enamelling and cloisonne, beyond the basics, cold connections, and chain maille.
• We have added a new component of instruction, enameling, thanks to Karla Fox, our newest instructor.  As students are taught enamelling techniques, they are welcome to practice and improve their skills at dedicated open shops for enamelling only.  This is a closed door open shop for respiratory and safety reasons.
• We have upgraded our safety guidelines for open shop, which are posted on the fridge in the Club for members to review.
• Michele Bonutti has created a new poster board which is displayed in the Club window, which features pictures of items created by our students from the various courses, including lapidary.
• We participated in a POP UP event, August 5 at the Tett where many of our members had a table.
• We are participating in Doors Open Kingston, Saturday September 28 from 10-4pm. It features free shop time for our members, tours of the shop, and free gifts for those trying out the Mineral ID board.  The Tett is fully open with all groups participating in activities.
• Our junior club for children 8-12 years begins in October with Linda Tsuji once again volunteering as the instructor.  The club is currently full with 8 participants.
• Faceting workshops will begin in the Fall again.  If you are interested, please contact Eileen at [email protected]
• Our Gem Storm show this year is at St Lawrence College.  We have 22 dealers as well as a table showcasing what our members have worked on to sell, along with a jewellery workshop and children’s mine.  For the first time, we are also featuring a gemstone identification booth thanks to Canadian Gemologist, Susanne Charlebois.  Suzanne will be set up in the concourse area.  Our member table this year features 12 members, all new to displaying and selling their items at the show. We are now able to accept cash, credit or debit at the admission and member tables. Michele Bonutti has been actively promoting the show using social media, print, radio and TV promotions/ads. We are always looking for volunteers to assist with the different stations.  If you can volunteer, please contact Catherine Raby at [email protected]. 
• Our Metal Rocks show has become a well established show that we host each Spring and Fall at the Tett.  Our shows are scheduled to coincide with the Kingston Potters Guild, making for a great shopping experience for visitors.  We average about 16 members of our Club who sell their unique designs and creations.  Grenville Minerals is also a member and welcome participant to the show and sale with his extensive variety of gems, minerals and fossils.  Our 2024 Fall Metal Rocks show dates are November 21 to November 24 in the Rehearsal Hall.  Our 2025 Spring dates have yet to be announced, but will be occuring in the Malting Tower.  
• Membership in the Club continues to grow.  Currently we have over 350 membership which represents about 520 members.  Membership dues have not changed and are due by December 31. If you are interested in becoming a member please access the link on our website.