What a year! From an empty room and a lot of scribbling on a notepad in October of 2018, we created a fully-equipped metals lab that over the last year has hosted 30 classes taught by 6 different teachers. We've held 14 open studio events, fielded a team of makers to the San Diego County Fair (winning over a dozen ribbons), developed our student base to over 140 and hosted 3 student sales. We also organized a Shop & Swap tool & materials fundraiser collecting $520 for the Jewish Family Services’ Downtown Migrant Center and we sponsored 4 blood drives, collecting 41 donations. Behind those numbers is an intangible that was actually our biggest goal - a friendly, metal arts community. Through births, deaths, accidents, illnesses and politics we've come together to help each other and, in the process, we've learned that the Lab is a lot of things to a lot of people. We're deeply grateful and humbled by the amazing support we've gotten to make this all happen. So here's hoping that 2020 brings you strong saw blades, powerful pickle, and clean solder seams. Happy New Year and thanks for watching!

Lab Monitoring is a great for working on your projects, making new friends and enjoying Liberty Station  - all of which you can do while helping us provide more hours for our users. Monitoring usually requires little more than being friendly and we are close by if questions arise. Duties including opening for the day, assisting lab users and closing for the day. We provide hands-on training and offer several 3 hour shifts per week. First Friday Volunteers help at our monthly open studio event. Volunteers can sit or stand and have time before, during and after to enjoy the delights of the evening. Duties including opening for the evening and greeting guests. We provide hands-on training and offer two 3 hour shifts (5:30-8:30pm). The best part is that for every Lab Monitor or First Friday Vollie hour, you get one lab hour credited to your account! Learn more and sign up.

To better accommodate our 9-5ers and folks needing childcare, we've added a new day and tweaked our schedule to offer more Saturday workshops. Our new Lab hours will be:

Tuesday:
Morning 10-1 pm
Afternoon 2-5 pm
Evening 6-9 pm
Please note we close from 1-2pm and 5-9pm.

Thursday:
Morning 10-1 pm
Afternoon 2-5 pm
Note that we close from 1-2pm.

Sunday: 10-1pm

When planning your Open Lab time, do remember that holidays and special events can lead to closures so check our Calendar.

It’s December 20 – I haven’t mailed out my holiday cards, the tree isn’t decorated, and I haven’t baked one cookie. And you know, I’m all right with that. This past year has been a whirlwind, getting the Lab up and running. From an empty room and a lot of scribbling on a notepad, Ame and I created a fully-equipped metals lab that over the last year has hosted 30 classes taught by 6 different teachers. We held 14 open studio events, fielded a team of makers to the San Diego County Fair (winning over a dozen ribbons), developed our student base to over 140 and hosted 3 student sales. We also organized a Shop & Swap tool & materials fundraiser collecting $520 for the Jewish Family Services’ Downtown Migrant Center and we sponsored 4 blood drives, collecting 41 donations.

For December's First Friday we hosted three artists in the Lab, Anne did mokume gane chisel demos in her studio AND we had two tables outside! Upstairs in the Lab, Yvonne of Yvonne Dao Jewels created a great display of her space-inspired work while Yoko of Yoko R Creations showed off her pieces (including her great whale shark bracelet) and artist & instructor Jessica Andersen offered her one-of-a-kind art jewelry and beautiful ornaments. Meanwhile, downstairs ...

... our hearty instructor Jules Monroe (along with her trusty studio dog Jazz) braved the cold alongside Seaglass Queen Valerie Safford to merrily greet people at our table in the outdoor bazaar. Jules showed off her fume patina earrings and new water-cast seaglass pendants while Val offered her glimmering designs featuring San Diego seaglass. Throughout the evening we had fun guests, making for a busy night with quite a few sales. We also had a bunch of VIP visitors including the fabulous Irene Wetsman of IJD Designs, our own Alix Hart, Val's mom (who was a hoot!) and Irene's fabulous husband and dog...along with many other friends, both old and new. By the time we toddled out, a big cauldron of hot spiced cider had been dispensed to happy minglers and we'd all heard enough holiday music to launch us merrily into the season. Thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make it a success and to all of our wonderful visitors ... happy holidays!

As of today, we have 4 emerging artists and two teachers confirmed for our Merry Maker's Market on Friday and we're waiting to hear back from several more. This is a great chance to enjoy a fun evening while connecting with local silversmiths and finding great deals on handmade gifts. Here's a sneak peek at a few of the offerings...

Click any image for a larger view.

On December 6th you'll find our village stalls both inside and out festooned with bright holly, sparkling lights, fragrant pine boughs and a full complement of cheery makers proffering their sparkling silver, gold, brass and bejeweled wares. Take in the festively crisp night air (perhaps, I mean it is San Diego) of Liberty Station's outdoor European-style Christmas market where we'll have a stall or step lightly to the second floor of Barracks 15 to revel in medieval holiday charm as you browse our two small shops. Find the perfect holiday gift for that special baker, butcher or cobbler in your life or pick out a one-of-a-kind treasure for yourself. First Friday is Liberty Station's monthly open studio event so in addition to visiting us you can explore the Liberty Public Market, visit nearby shops and studios and catch live entertainment - all with easy parking. Bring a friend or make one here, either way it will be an evening of magical wintry delights - we hope you'll join us!  Get details and directions.