Mokume Fun at Metal Arts Guild, Georgia

Getting a little punchy, posing with oversize wooden chisel models - great teaching tool made for me by Earl Bushey.

So many chisels! My recent 3-day workshop at Metal Arts Guild, Georgia was a blast. The hybrid format was a challenge at first, but rewarding to figure out ways to get all the students learning and interacting. I loved seeing the in person students walk by my computer and laugh and chat with the Zoom folks. I was pleased to see so many students sporting their Mondobop gear.

Our first day I showed the simplest way of patterning mokume with a stamp from behind, then filing back. Next we learned chisel patterning, then a few advanced variations. On the last day I demonstrated chisel-making, and was delighted to see successful chisels made, both in the studio and by the folks attending remotely.

We had 13 students in all, 6 in the studio and 7 on Zoom. Val and her sidekicks Pat and Stephanie did a great job both in the workshop and finding fabulous restaurants too. Scott got two pitch bowls up and running, as well as some great samples. Shout out to Emily, her first mokume class and she did a fantastic job with both patterning and chisel-making. Cindy, another mokume first-timer, did a great job with her chiseled sample.

Big thanks to Andy the incredibly patient camera guy, and Leah the artist assistant for all her hard work, from keeping the Zoom folks connected to making sure I had ample coffee! And she gets bonus points for understanding and laughing at Mondobop's "I Sink and I know Things" tank top, not many people get that!

Everyone I met at MAGG was a delight to talk to - Janet, Alan, Lisa, Dallas, Larissa; it was a joy to be part of your amazing studio for a while. Till next time!

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