Metals Guild of Maryland (MGM)

The Metals Guild of Maryland is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development and support of the metal arts community. We are committed to providing our membership with opportunities that grow our creativity, stimulate us educationally, and foster knowledge sharing. We are also committed to creating greater public awareness, knowledge and appreciation of the metal arts.

MGM has now opened a store at Cafe Press where you can buy t-shirts, aprons, mugs, totebags etc. with the choice of two Guild logos on any item. The URL is http://shops.cafepress.com/TheMetalsGuildofMaryland. All proceeds are used to fund scholarships for Metals students at Towson University, Maryland Institute and College of Art and McDaniel College. The images are just a few examples of our available products. Stop by our store to see the full line.

Velina Glass
Co-Chair, Metals Guild of Maryland

JAdore: ... Dior - StumbleUpon

This is one of my favorite jewelry Blogs.

J'Adore: ... Dior

Camille Miceli's Fall Jewelry Collection (pictured above).

JAdore: ... Dior - StumbleUpon

New Treated Rubies Different from Composite

New York--The American Gemological Laboratories (AGL) is alerting the trade to its studies on a new ruby treatment that combines fissure healing and in-filling to improve the stone's appearance, but that is distinct from the type of treatment that "composite rubies" undergo.

According to a press release from AGL, this new ruby treatment--which provides a low-cost alternative to more traditionally heated rubies--has been detected in stones, mostly from Mozambique, which are treated in and exported from Thailand. The treatment is "reportedly a modification of the lead glass or composite ruby treatments that have emerged in the past," according to the release.

Composite rubies--a term coined by AGL--began flooding the international gemstone market in 2003, and subsequently made their way into the U.S. market, where they have more than once become the subject of investigative news reports aimed at alerting consumers to the potential pitfalls of purchasing such stones. The controversial stones, which are lower-priced goods that require special care and specific disclosures to consumers, are an amalgam of natural ruby with a high lead-glass content.

For the new treatment, AGL has learned that a selection of the rough material suitable for the composite ruby treatment is treated using various chemicals or fluxing agents, similar to the more traditional heating of ruby that results in fissure healing and heating residues.

For the full article visit http://bit.ly/b9Hib8

33 Exciting Examples of Action Photography | Inspiration

This is some of the best action art I have seen. The question, is the rider falling or is he supposed to fly through the sky?
33 Exciting Examples of Action Photography | Inspiration

:: raquelissima :: - StumbleUpon

Beautiful illustrations by artists :: raquelissima :: - StumbleUpon

AP IMPACT: Wal-Mart pulls jewelry over cadmium

LOS ANGELES – Wal-Mart said Wednesday it is pulling an entire line of Miley Cyrus-brand necklaces and bracelets from its shelves after tests performed for The Associated Press found the jewelry contained high levels of the toxic metal cadmium.

In a statement issued three hours after AP's initial report of its findings, Wal-Mart said it would remove the jewelry, made exclusively for the world's largest retailer, while it investigates. The company issued the statement along with Cyrus and Max Azria, the designer who developed the jewelry for the 17-year-old "Hannah Montana" star.

Wal-Mart Stores Inc. had learned of cadmium in the Miley Cyrus jewelry, as well as in an unrelated line of bracelet charms, back in February, based on an earlier round of testing conducted at AP's request, but had continued selling the items. It said as recently as last month that it would be too difficult to test products already on its shelves.

In its statement, Wal-Mart did not say whether it would also remove the bracelet charms.

Upcoming Events

Anastasia Azure: Dimensional Weave Jewelry and Sculpture combines an ancient weaving technique with traditional metalsmithing and contemporary materials.

June
I have a busy summer planned beginning with the Columbia Festival of the Arts Artpark June 12-13. Come visit the ArtPark under the shade of a 3 story garage and shop for jewelry, ceramics, and fashions.

July
Next I am on my way to Artscape in Baltimore MD. Artscape is the countries largest free arts festival scheduled for July 16-18. As we get closer to the date I will post my booth number. Wear light clothing and bring your water jug because this event always seems to fall on the hottest day of the summer but it is so worth the trip. Last year I saw Robin Thicke for free!

August
Buyers Market of American Craft. I am located in the Metals Guild Booth along with other fine Maryland Artists. This is a wholesale show so don't forget to register in advance. August 23rd - 25th Baltimore Convention Center Baltimore, Maryland

October
Velvet da Vinci San Francisco's premiere art jewelry and metal sculpture gallery is hosting a plastic and resin exhibition October 1-31. My work will be shown along with such as...

Shana Astrachan
Anastasia Azure
Ela Bauer
Lea Marie Becker
Iris Bodemer
Sigurd Bronger
Burcu Büyükünal
Ana Margarida Carvalho
Peter Chang
Joe Churchman
Jens A. Clausen
Barbara Cohen
Lisa&Scott Cylinder
Peter Deckers
Coco Dunmire
Janine Eisenhauer
Beate Eismann
Ute Eitzenhöfer
Diane Falkenhagen
Jantje Fleischhut
Javier Moren Frias
Velina Glass
Robly Glover
Suzanne Golden
Tamara Grüner
Rebecca Hannon
Pavel Herynek
Ellen Himic
Eero Hintsanen
Kath Inglis
Jiro Kamata
Masumi Kataoka
Sun Kyoung Kim
Sarah King
Susanne Klemm
Jocelyn Kolb
Katja Korsawe
Birgit Laken
Margaux Lange
Carla Pennie McBride
Edward Lane McCartney
Karen McCreary
Charlene Modena
Masako Onedera
Emiko Oye
Seainin Passi
Mary Hallam Pearse
Ruudt Peters
Natalya Pinchuk
Katja Prins
Yuka Saito
Karen Seufert
Leslie Shershow
Susan Kasson Sloan
Anika Smulovitz
Lin Stanionis
Rebecca Strzelec
Donna Mason Sweigart
Anthony Tammaro
Billlie Jean Theide
Carolyn Tillie
Cynthia Toops
Silke Trekel
Christel Van der Laan
Mona Wallstrom
Katheryn Wardill
Emily Watson
Karla Way
Josephine Winther
Sayumi Yokouchi
Lily Yung
Sandra Zilker