COMAG Meet Up for September 2016

Thank you to Mr. Steve Douglas from Douglas Fine Jewelry for hosting our meeting for September.

Steve graciously shared his home work shop space to host the annual tool swap meeting.  We also had some good eats with BBQ, salads and desserts...yum..thank you again Steve!

Steve and Elyse Douglas from Douglas Fine Jewelry

Mr. Gary Dawson, a jeweler from Eugene, also gave a nice formal presentation about "Tools & Technolgy".  He shared the history of how jewelry making has come along from hundreds of years ago all the way to today's methods of CAD technology and 3D Printing.

The group had a nice discussion of how some this technology can be incorporated into the art of jewelry.  Some members even showed samples of their work with the group.

You can view the minutes for this meeting here:  COMAG September 2016 Meeting Minutes

August 2016 COMAG Meet Up

Thank you to Mike Ross owner of Natural Edge Furniture for hosting our August 2016 meeting.

Unfortunately, I could not attend so I have no photos of this meeting.

Discussions included going over great details in preparation of the Oxford Show August.5th.

Mike Ross gave a simple demo on how he can cut a couple of monster slabs of wood with his huge saw. He also gave a tour of his facility.

After, a few members gave a "show and tell" of some their creations and inspirations.

Thanks  again to Mike and his crew!

Meeting Minutes Provided Here:  COMAG Meeting Minutes August. 2016

July 2016 COMAG Meet Up

Thank you to Goph's Studios for hosting a fabulous July meeting.

Our past few years Goph has kindly hosted our July meetings, and in some ways it seems to be a tradition in COMAG which I am always grateful for.

 This year Goph put on a great spread of sushi and salads...so yum!  We enjoyed this gracious meal in his garden patio of his awesome studio. Oh yes, it's good to be Goph!

After the meeting Goph and Sterling gave a demonstration on how to cut a rock, in this case "turquoise", into a shiny polished cabochon.  A few members were able to try out the process after as well.  It was interesting to see how it all goes from rough to a polished cab.

 Here is the link to the meeting minutes for July 2016. Minutes

COMAG  Annual Metal Arts Show 2016

 

 

It's HERE.... our annual COMAG retail event. Come down for a chance to win one of two $100 gift certificates for your artist of choice and a gift from the Oxford Hotel! Metalsmiths, jewelers, blacksmiths come together to feature their works of art to the public. The show will be on Friday, August 5th 1-9PM during Friday Artwalk,  and also on Saturday, August 6th, 10 am - 6 pm.  We are located in the The Oxford Hotel.  10 NW Minnesota Ave, Downtown Bend, Oregon.

Artists include:

Allora
Amy Pfeiffer Jewelry
Gabrielle Taylor Art Jewelry
Goph Studios
Helenes Dreams Handcrafted Jewelry
John Paul Designs
Junk to Jems
Kellen Bateham
Mary Jo
Mathew Stokes
McKenzie Mendel Jewelry
Mitch Jewelry
Nancy Bushaw
Nancy Hoyt
Nina C. Lapidary
Sara Krempel
Steve Douglas
Taylor Nolan
Orion Forge
Silver Falls Jewelry
Waylon Rhoads Jewelry

June 2016 COMAG - Meeting & Minutes

 

Thanks so much to Mr. Jeff Wester for hosting the June meeting at the Ponderosa Forge in Sisters, Oregon. It was very sweet and short.  Review of the Oxford show and checking in on the gem sale at the Work House was the primary discussion.  Jeff went ahead and demonstrated the process of how to make forged tongs.  He certainly makes it look easy! 

You can find June 2016 meeting minutes here: June Minutes

COMAG May 3rd, 2016 Meeting & Minutes

May's COMAG meeting was kindly hosted by the ladies of The Torch.  Thank you to Suzi, Denise and Mary Jo.

A few samples of some of our members works.

A few topics were addressed at this meeting which was primarily focused on our next event at the Oxford Suites. Our annual 2016 COMAG show is coming up in early August.  This is where you will get to come and see some exciting beautiful handcrafted creations by our members of COMAG.  There will be 24 booths filled with metal glory!!   This will be held on First Friday Art Walk night in downtown Bend, Oregon.  We will be located inside the Oxford Hotel Ballroom on August 5th - 6th, 2016.

Also, once again, there is a gem swap happening at The Work House on May 8th, Sunday from 1-5 pm.  This is being hosted by our member Marianne Prodehl.

The NWBA - North West Blacksmith Association conference will also be held this month May 13-15th, 2016.  Please visit their site for more information.

Our planned discussion for marketing will be rescheduled for another time with MaryJo.  Thank you to John Paul who stepped up and gave us a quick demo on how to forge and shape a copper bangle for this meetings demonstration instead.

For a more detailed description of this meeting you can find the minutes here:
COMAG May 2016 Meeting & Minutes

Helen Sanderson - Secretary

COMAG April 5, 2016 Meeting & Minutes

 

A big thank you to Mr. Jim Dailing for hosting our fun and happy April COMAG meeting at COCC.   John Paul was kind enough to give us yet another demonstration, this time.. of how to maintain a flexshaft and handpiece.   It's something I am sure most of us need to be doing!

Our president Kellen Bateham touched base on other subjects such as details for the Oxford Show coming up in early August.  It is now sold out and participating members need to pay for their booths and start preparing.  We need volunteers for planning and advertising..etc. Please contact Goph Albitz for more information.

A gem exchange is also planned for Sunday, May 8th 2016 at the Work House from 1-5 pm hosted by Marianne Prohdehl. Our first one ever ...

This meeting was short and sweet but if you want more details the minutes are found here:

COMAG April Meeting Minutes 2016.

Helen Sanderson-Secretary

COMAG March 2016 Meeting

Dry Canyon Forge hosted its last COMAG meeting this month.  It's truly a bittersweet moment for COMAG, as Joe Elliott has decided to retire and sell his business.  We have all been honored by the presence of Joe and by giving COMAG essentially a place to rest our heart, the space to learn and grow, and a place to laugh.   Dry Canyon Forge has hosted numerous meetings for several past years where COMAG has seen a great many demonstrations by Joe and other members as well.

We want to give Joe a huge thank you for the best of his meetings.  The forge will be sorely missed...the sound of the hammers, the heat of the fire, but most of all, the fun laughter of the Dry Canyon Forge.  For you take us back in time.... what great memories!

March's meeting proceeded well as usual.  Kellen primarily discussed the success and outcome of Winter Fest.  Our next big venue is preparing for the Oxford Show in August. For those members interested in participating please contact Goph for more information.

Hunter stepped up and presented a basic outline of "How to be a demonstrator".  If your interested in giving a demonstration to COMAG members, this detailed outline here:  "Guidelines for Demonstrations" will give you some ideas of preparing for one as well as what to expect and what is to be expected.

The meeting ended with a great demonstration by Joe Elliot on forging decorative iron.

Meeting minutes can be found here:  COMAG March 2016 Minutes.

Images by Missy Powell.

In honor of Joe Elliot and Dry Canyon Forge....Black Smith.

The Mark Of A True Craftsman: Joe Elliott from Alex Hamlin on Vimeo.



Posted by Helen Sanderson

Winter Fest 2016

Winter Fest was a success this year!  Even with cold chilly icy air the public came out to play with us.  We lit up the fires and tried to keep everyone warm with a fun metal project. There was hand stamping, hammering steel with a hot forge, forging a hook and fun jewelry projects for all ages.

This year Kellen and Hunter decided that we COMAG members can accomplish an amazing feat by creating a community mural which any person from the community could also participate.    And, we did just that. Somehow with great energy we all came together as friends and a team to make it happen.

Thank you to all who participated... what an honor to be a part of this community mural..a work of art.

Its location will be announced once we know it's permanent hanging place.

Thank you to Missy Powell for her pictures and magical camera talents!

Love, Lost and Found. 2016

 Helen Sanderson

COMAG February 2016 Monthly Meeting

Hey Metal PeepS! February was a crazy and fun month for COMAG, yes!   First, thank you to McKenzie Mendel for hosting our monthly meeting on Feb.2nd 2016 at her new studio Willow Lane...a creative space for artist.   The meeting was sweet and short I heard.  Kellen introduced a few new members to the group, and proceeded to discuss a few details about upcoming Winter Fest.  He also reminded members of yearly dues and deadlines.

The meeting ended with a great demonstration of chasing and repousse by our wonderful host Mckenzie herself.  She is truly amazing with the hammer!  If your interested in a working studio space at Willow Lane please contact Mckenzie here on her website... Willow Lane. She might have an opening, just yet.

COMAG February meeting minutes are found here ...  COMAG Feb. 2016 Minutes

Thank you to Rochelle for taking notes for our minutes and to Missy for images.

-Helen Sanderson

Happy New Year COMAG!

We are off to a new start with lot's of meetings and gatherings to look forward to.  This month, COMAG met on January 5, 2016 at Tambi's.  Thank you to Tambi for hosting our group meeting on a last minute basis!

This meeting basically addressed some of this years expectations and goals, review of our treasury status, meeting venues and those members whom are interested in demonstration participations.  We also went over our roster and collected our annual dues.
 

Last but not least, we had a sweet show and tell of a few members who shared some of their works and findings, along with inspirations.  It was great to see all of the goods and amazing pieces these folks have made.

The minutes for this meeting can be viewed here.....  COMAG Jan. 2016 Minutes.

If your interested in coming to one of our meetings and you are not yet a member, please contact us and we will be glad to give you more information.  Meeting places do change every month.

Have a great day!