news update by eileen moss

• Our shop is now back at full Scheduling from previous reduced summer hours.  For full details, please check the calendar on our website at www.mineralclub.ca.  Our current open shop times are Sunday’s from 10-1pm, Tuesday’s from 10-1pm and 630-830pm, Wednesday’s from 10-1pm. 
• On Tuesday evenings, 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 silversmithing courses continue to be very popular.  Generally they are full within a few hours of posting.  We are limiting class size to 6 students as it better meets the students needs. They are currently scheduled for Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings. We have upgraded our requirements for a successful completion of a beginner course.  Open shop usage is restricted to those who have either completed a silversmithing or lapidary course.
• We teach a range of intermediate silversmithing courses.  Current or ongoing courses this Fall are wax casting, precious metal clay, enamelling, inlaid ring, Viking weave 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. This is a closed door open shop for respiratory reasons.
• Our junior club for children 8-12 years started in October with Linda Tsuji as the instructor.  The club is currently full with 8 participants.
• Our Gem Storm show was October 17-19 at the Event centre, St. Lawrence College.  We had 22 dealers of which 14 were club members.  The show attendance was down a bit to 1011 adults and 203 children.  As well as our member table, jewellery workshop and children’s mine, we added demonstrations in the concourse area.  Thanks to our members for demonstrating their skills at flat lapping, chain maille, wire wrapping, Viking weaving and a silver smithing demonstration and to all those who volunteered to make the show the success that it was.
• Our Spring and Fall Metal Rocks shows are becoming well established events.  We schedule them to coincide with the Potters Spring and Fall Sales, which is working out very well. We will have 16 members from the club showcasing and selling their artistry and unique creations.  Grenville Minerals is also a welcome addition to the show and sale enabling us to provide a varied selection of items for sale. This year's Fall Metal Rocks show and sale runs from November 20 to November 23 in the Rehearsal Hall of the Tett Centre.  Additional information is posted under our Events tab on the website.