club news by eileen moss, September 2022

Our shop is now back to full scheduling.  For full details, please check the calendar on our website at www.mineralclub.ca

1. Our current open shop times are Sundays from 1-4pm, Tuesday’s from 10-1pm and 630-830pm, Wednesday’s from 10-1pm. 
2. 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 evening, you will have created a polished cabochon and have learned how to use the small saw, grinders and sanders
3. Open shop times are designed for members to work independently on their silver or stone projects.  An instructor is on hand to provide direction or assistance when needed. Only students who have taken the beginner silversmithing course and are familiar with the equipment should use the shop at these times.
4. Both beginner and intermediate silversmithing classes are starting again in September.  If you would like to take a beginner course, please email Eileen Moss at [email protected] to be put on an email notification list for upcoming courses

Meetings for the Fall

• Steve Watts will be giving a talk and presentation on Mineral Identification, Friday November 11 from 630-830pm, at the Lapidary Shop.  Open to everyone.  Just a wonderful chance to learn how to identify minerals and gem stones.  If you have a stone, you would like identified, bring it along for Steve to identify.
• For the December meeting, I hope to have a swap and sale for members to participate in.  Tentative date is December 9, 630-830pm in the Activity Room on the first floor.  There is no charge to bring your items for sale or swap, but please register with Eileen at [email protected] so that enough tables can be provided. Just an excellent opportunity to sell or swap those club related items and make room for more 😊
• In other news, our junior club is resuming in November with Linda Tsuji as the program leader.  Registration is full already.  The program will occur generally once a month on Friday evenings from November until April

Show and Event News

1. Gem Storm is a go this year. It will be our 51st annual show and sale and will be at the Event Centre, Saint Lawrence College, Kingston (100 Portsmouth Avenue).  Show dates and times are Friday October 14, 5-9pm, Saturday October 15, 10-6pm and Sunday October 16, 10-5pm.  Admission is $5 per person with children 12 and under free with a paying adult.  We will have 24 dealers this year from Ontario and Quebec, many of whom are members.  Do mark this date on your calendar and plan  on coming. The show features unique jewellery, crystal treasures, exotic fossils, gemstone carvings, minerals, gemstones, a children’s mine and jewellery workshop.  We will have hourly door prizes.  The room is wheelchair accessible and ample parking is available.
2. In November, we will have our Fall Metal Rocks sale in the Rehearsal Room (2nd floor) at the Tett Centre, 370 King Street West, Kingston.  Show dates and times are Thursday November 24, 5-9pm, Friday November 25, 10-6pm, Saturday November 26, 10-5pm and Sunday November 27, 10-3pm.  We hold our sale in conjunction with the Potter’s Show.  Free admission for both shows and an excellent opportunity to buy those great Christmas gifts.  Do mark this date on your calendar.