MINUTES FROM OUR MEETINGS

page 2

Home    Join Us    Mission    Members     Classes     Links

January 14, 2008
Southern Arizona Alchemists
Members in attendance:Leslie Jensen, Lyle Rayfield, Doris King, Nancy Palmer, Gail Pitts, Valerie Fulk, Marnie Ehlers, Pam Day, Deborah Komisarek, Tonya Davidson and Lucy Pirro.

President Marnie Ehlers called the meeting to order at 6:40 p.m. We discussed the website and the problems with overwriting. Pam Day and Tonya Davidson will ask their husbands for tech advice to see if we can get this fixed a.s.a.p. before the gem show.
Southern Arizona Alchemists
March 10, 2008 meeting minutes
Attending:    Leslie Jensen, Marnie Ehlers, Liz Walsh, Maryanne Mott, Ruth Bollerud, Pam Day, Gail Pitts, Nancy Palmer, Elly Kadie, Lucy Pirro

Kristine Bollerud gave a very interesting and informative presentation on Quick Books.  There are so many different applications for the three programs available.  There were many questions and Kristine answered them all!  Thanks Kristine!

The April meeting was originally scheduled for April 13 but due to a scheduling conflict, the quarterly meeting will be April 6, 2008 at Marnie Ehler's home.  Since this is a hands-on meeting, Marnie suggested trying Reduce It or Hydroshrink.  We will send out another e-mail with more detail before the next meeting.

At the last PMC conference the guild decorated a case and this year guilds are again being asked to decorate a case with jewelry items.  The case to be decorated is approximately 4 feet x 3 feet tall x 1 foot deep.  Everyone is asked to provide three pieces of PMC to be displayed in the case.  Any ideas for a Southwest theme?  The PMC Guild will be awarding prizes for the best display… maybe free metal clay (perhaps a hunk of the new bronze clay they will be introducing at conference).  Who knows!  Whatever it is, we want to bring home the trophy!!  We are also seeking any great pictures from previous meetings, the desert, etc. to use in our display. 

Elly reported on her negotiations with MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) regarding selling our jewelry at the museum.  Elly said the first thing we need to know before she talks with them again is how many are interested in putting their jewelry there for sale and how many are willing to work at the museum.  We discussed the commission and Elly will discuss that with them when she next speaks with them. 

It was decided that the guild will jury our pieces to be put there for sale.  There was discussion about all pieces having some PMC included in them and it was decided that there should be some pieces but other silver is acceptable.  There was also discussion about the guild offering to do demonstrations, etc. for the museum.  There are 10-12 members interested in selling at the museum and when Elly talks with them again she will also ask when they want us to start.

There was also discussion about each artist having their cards available at the museum and the museum stamp would be on the back of each card.  If someone likes a particular piece and asks for a card and then calls the artist to order a similar piece, the artist will know that the museum will receive a "finders fee" for that piece ordered.

Members have asked for other members phone number or e-mail address so the membership list will be sent to all members on March 20.  IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR PHONE NUMBER OR E-MAIL ADDRESS SENT OUT, NOTIFY MARNIE OR LUCY ASAP.  If we don't hear from you by March 19, addresses will be sent to members.  These phone numbers, etc. will not be on the guild web page - just sent to paid members.

At the April meeting we will discuss programs for future meetings.  If you can't attend the meeting April 6, please send suggestions for programs to Marnie or Lucy.

There was discussion about a letter from the PMC Guild about updating the format for web pages.  We also will discuss at the April meeting adopting a new guild.

Marnie asked if the guild would pay for shipping the guild charm bracelet to Holly and all agreed to have the guild pay that expense.

At the April meeting we'll also discuss the meeting location for future meetings.  If you have thoughts about a meeting place and can't attend the meeting, please let Marnie or me know your suggestions.

With no further discussion, the meeting was adjourned.

lucy Pirro, Secretary
April 2008 Minutes
If you missed the meeting April 6, you missed wonderful food and a fun afternoon experimenting with Hydroshrink. Hydroshrink is an interesting product and there were lots of trials, errors, successes and laughing! It can truly be said that a good time was had by all!

Our next meeting is May 12 at Beyond Bread on Campbell at Ft. Lowell. The meeting will be 6:30 - 8:00 and if you want to eat there, arrive around 5:00 - 5:30 so the meeting can start promptly at 6:30. If you are the first one there, please save tables for at least 12+ people. Thanks!

We had talked about Bookmans on Grant for a meeting location and when I inquired I got the following reply: Unfortunately our community room is no longer available to the public. We will soon be remodeling that area to expand the kids room. This is a decision was recently made so the website hasn't been updated. Sorry for the inconvenience. Cody Marsh, Events Liaison. Bookmans

If anyone knows of another meeting room that is centrally located and can be used free, let Marnie or me know. Thanks!

Nancy Palmer will be participating in the Jumble Design Market at Urban Garden and Home on Ft. Lowell. From Nancy: I will be one of the participating artists at the show/craft sale April 19th and 20th on Ft. Lowell at Urban Garden and Home.

Southern Arizona Alchemists
May 12, 2008 meeting minutes
Attending: Marnie Ehlers, Ruth Bollerud, Leslie Jensen, Gail Pitts, Maryanne Mott

There was a small group but a lot was discussed.  The June meeting will be at Marnie's home, June 8, 2008 at 2 PM.  We'll work on the case display for the PMC Conference in July while we have our meeting. 

Doris King, treasurer, reports that there is $757.00 in the SAA account.

Ruth Bollerud has offered to transport the jewelry for the case at the conference.  She wants clear description/pictures of any pieces, and the address/contact info on anyone whose jewelry she takes.  Since she often transport jewelry through the airlines seems like she's the logical one to do it.  Unless someone else wants to..... 
 


There was discussion about a guild retreat, possibly in the fall.  We are asking member to check into places to have a retreat and please contact Marnie or Lucy.  Please check into possible places to stay.  It was also brought up that many guilds have guest instructors and the question was raised, should we invite someone.  Hattie Sanderson was suggested.

It has been suggested that the guild have displays at the malls to educate the public about Precious Metal Clay and get individuals work out to be seen.  Other suggestions are Tohono Chul; Stone Avenue Gallery; Big Brothers/Big Sisters - places where there is lots of "traffic".

Marnie suggested getting your tickets at the conference or before for the charm bracelet to be auctioned for charity.  Marnie will have tickets at the June meeting and they will also available at the PMC Conference and also on the Whole Lotta Whimsy web site.  There could be up to 20 bracelets to be auctioned off!  Tickets are $5 each or 5/$20 and checks should be made payable to The Cancer Society or The Marrow Foundation.  (If the Southern Arizona Alchemists bracelet is any indication of the others, they will all be wonderful!)

Members should consider putting their bio and photos of their jewelry on our guild website.  Contact Barbara Bullock at africat@cox.net for details.

Marnie would like photos of syringe work for her presentation at the conference.  These can be examples of both great syringe work and/or "problem pieces."

Agenda for the June meeting:put the conference display case together
        fall retreat suggestions
        fall Open Studio Tour
        next Rio reception or back-up plan
        submissions to Fusion from our guild

Thank you to Gail Pitts for taking notes at the May meeting! 

lucy pirro, secretary