Club News by eileen moss

• As many members know, the Club offers open shop times to allow those who have taken courses to utilize the equipment with a volunteer instructor in attendance.  The current open shop times are Sunday – 1 to 4 pm, Tuesday – 10 to 1 pm and 6:30 to 8:30 pm; and Wednesday – 10 to 1 pm and 6:30 to 8:30 pm.  Use of the shop and equipment is $3 per hour.

 

• Courses will not be offered over the summer months of July and August to give our volunteer instructors a much-needed break.  However, Tuesday open shop times will continue to be offered, but please check the calendar before you plan to attend as some evenings may be closed.  If anyone needs access to the shop to purchase supplies during the shop closure, you can contact Eileen at kingstonmineral@gmail.com or 613-384-4439.  

 

• Full club programming will resume in September.  However, to see what is happening in May and June, please check the calendar on our website www.mineralclub.ca as it is routinely updated.  This past year we primarily offered beginner courses as they are in such high demand, but in the Fall/Winter we were able to add some intermediate level courses.  Wax casting and precious metal clay courses continue to be very popular, along with classes to enhance soldering skills and re-introducing a cold connections course.  We have also been able to offer some wire wrapping, faceting, chain maille and pewter casting courses.  We encourage you to express your interest in the various classes to Eileen as courses fill up very quickly when announced through email.

 

• Our Metal Rocks show is becoming a well-established event.  We schedule it in conjunction with the Potters Guild Spring and Fall Sales, which is working out very well.  We average about 18 members from the club selling their unique creations.  Grenville Minerals has also been a welcome addition to Metal Rocks, enabling us to provide a varied selection of items for sale.  Our Fall show for 2023 will be November 23-26 in the Rehearsal Room.  Attendance at our recent Fall show was just under 1200 visitors, so please mark these dates on your calendar and follow us on Facebook for more information that is posted closer to the show. https://www.facebook.com/KingstonLapidaryMineralClub/

 

• Our 2022 Gem Storm show in the Events Centre at St Lawrence College was a huge success.  We had 24 dealers as well as a member table, jewellery workshop and children’s mine.  Attendance was on par with our previous shows despite the change of venue.  Our 2023 Gem Storm will be our 52nd show and will take place on October 13 -15 at St. Lawrence College.  Stay tuned for additional details to be shared on Facebook.

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