In this week's MAAAA Anne did a Tip Test to see if Baby Bell cheese rinds really do work as saw lube. Next in the demo portion. we delved into the options for adding a torch to your home studio with a quick look at butane, MAPP gas, acetylene air recommendations. In keeping with the home studio theme, shared her unconventional bracelet mandrel - a sawed off shotgun (to be fair, she lives Montana and it's not a working gun). We also checked back in with Kathe on her MASSC Challenge and ... she did it! "Dogfish in Kelp" was successfully completed and submitted on time, so we're all rooting for her in the Challenge. Resources from this episode:

• Shanks & Mandrels Ring Smackdown by Danaca Designs: danacadesign.com.
• Anne's Home Studio Set Up Presentation: Download the pdf.
• For more info on oxygen concentrators see https://www.riogrande.com/product/re-manufactured-oxygen-concentrator/500140
• Paige brand torch tips (for use with an Oxy/Propane torch): www.paigetools.com
  

If you missed it live, watch it on our YouTube channel and don't be shy about sending in your questions for a future episode.

Send us your Questions
Our next MAAAA is scheduled for Thursday, June 11th from 6-7pm PDT. This is your chance to get FREE feedback from professional metal arts instructors! Send in your questions or submit an item for one of the other segments and we'll follow up as needed on any details. Want help with a tricky soldering job? Ask Anne. Wondering if a tip you saw really works? Send us the link. Want to share a recent piece or give us a tour of your studio? Send us some pix. Care to recommend a special tool or great class (or instructor)? Let us know! You are heartily invited to send us your questions, works-in-progress, new tool finds and more!

Video recap of our live streamed Thursday evening class - coming soon.
Instructor: Anne Wolf. Tuition: FREE
The presentation was done be by Anne with our regular Thursday night teacher Jessica Andersen online joining via Facebook. Video coming soon.

While everyone around us is canceling events, we feel it is important to stay connected in the ways that we can. In a spirit of adventure and as part of our effort to lessen the impact of COVID-19, we held the last meeting of this semester's Independent Study class online (instead of at the Lab) as an interactive live stream. Anne shared her recent patina adventure with master metalsmith David Huang and took us step-by-step through a demonstration using easy patinas to try at home - some with chemicals you probably already have. And just like a usual class, participants asked jewelry/metals questions - only this time it was by logging in to Anne's Facebook page and commenting. Both Anne and our regular Independent Study instructor Julie were on hand to answer the great questions that came in. We have a lot of work to do on the quality and our set up but were excitedly working on those issues and our goal is deliver top-quality presentations for you, our beloved students. Andra Tutto Bene! In the meantime, watch our first live stream.