Benefits of being an MBMAG member

MBMAG members listen to a visiting artist lecture

The Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild (MBMAG) is a diverse guild comprised of artists, collectors, professional art educators, practitioners, gallerists, advocates, and new enthusiasts of metalsmithing. We welcome all people at all levels of experience and appreciation for making art in metal. We are based in the picturesque Monterey Bay area of California and our members live in many diverse locations. Everyone is welcome to join from wherever you live.

Benefits Include:

Early notification of exhibitions, lectures, events and workshops hosted by MBMAG

Guest artist and member lectures are free for members!

Discounts on workshops and events hosted by MBMAG

Invites to participate in the guild’s all-member, juried, and curated exhibits at local galleries and museums

We help promote our members’ art on Instagram and Facebook; tag us when you post

Members private email list for free postings of tools for sale or giveaway

Networking and socializing opportunities

Member design challenges

Free access to the full video library of online jewelry photography and social media how-to sessions

A photo of your art in the Member Gallery on the mbmag.org website

Advertise for free your upcoming metal arts related workshops, events, open-studio, or sale on mbmag.org

MBMAG Monthly Speaker Series: December 2019

Angie Gleason and Lynn Guenther:
Hammering Away – Art, Education, and Environment

Friday, Dec 11, 2019, 6:30-8:30 PM

Don’t miss this month’s MBMAG Speaker Series

We’ll be meeting at Cabrillo College Jewelry Room #3001

The event is free and open to the public

Young artist on the Rosebud Reservation

Presenters Angela Gleason and Lynn Guenther will talk about their work and how  to make to make a meaningful life with creative practice.

Angela will talk about her work and her opening SCRAP exhibit. Lynn will show a short video about her teaching trip to Rosebud Reservation and talk a bit about other educational programs that she is involved in. 

Lynn is collecting tools and donations to complete the “tool kit” she left for the students to use at the school on Rosebud Reservation. Below is what they are missing. You can bring any donations to the meeting.

Student hammering away at the Rosebud Reservation School
Angela Gleason (front) and her helper working on the SCRAP Project

Lynn says, “Fortunately some artists were very generous with materials last year, but the kids are using them and they could always use more if people want to donate any extra stuff they have. 20 or 18 gauge copper would be helpful, too, for bracelets.”

Supplies Needed

  • 15-20 design stamps (expensive, $8 each!)
  • alphabet stamps
  • number stamps
  • 3 ball pein hammers
  • rawhide or Delrin hammer
  • drill
  • drill bits
  • 3 more saws
  • 3 bench pins
  • saw blades
  • bracelet mandrel
  • cutting shears
  • gloves
  • patina
  • pliers
  • wire cutters
  • files
  • Sheet metal: Copper, brass, nickel
  • Stones and beads
  • Cash donations towards tools and materials are also welcome

MBMAG Monthly Speaker Series: October 2018

POSTPONED TO 2019

Due to unforseen circumstances, the MBMAG Speaker Series has been postponed

Panel Discussion and Q&A:
How to Use Instagram to Promote Your Brand,
Sell Your Jewelry, and Purchase Supplies

Our apologies for the change. There will be no speaker this month.

Join us on November 9 when Bob Boscarelli will be our featured speaker

instagram screenshot

MBMAG Monthly Speaker Series: Wendy Ballen

Wendy Ballen: Tying it All Together

Friday, July 20, 2018, 6:30-8:30 PM

Don’t miss this month’s MBMAG Speaker Series featuring wire sculptor Wendy Ballen.

We’ll be meeting at the Santa Cruz Art League, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz

Wendy Ballen is a wire sculptor and guild member

Join us for a peak into what she’s been working on….

The event is free and open to the public

MBMAG Monthly Speaker Series: Paul Kmetko

calipers, pliers, graver and hammer surround the Speaker Series announcement for the Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild

Friday, May 18, 2018 7-9 PM

MBMAG Speaker Series:

Paul Kmetko: Stenciling on Enamel -Tips and Easy to Make Tool

Stencils are commonly used in enameling and they can be tricky to manipulate. Nothing is worse than carefully applying powder to your design and jostling the stencil whilst trying to remove it… Not only does it waste precious material, it can be very frustrating.

In addition just laying a stencil down on top of the work doesn’t guarantee a snug fit and powder will creep under boundary zones. In order to solve the problem I went back to my roots in screen printing and devised a solution that solves both problems at once. It started as a low tech device with a easily  available clamp fixture that can be modified with minimal effort by almost anybody.

Paul will share this device and how to make a low-tech version of it, as well as giving tips on stenciling on enamel at this month’s MBMAG Speaker Series.

Stenciled Enamel Dish by Paul Kmetko

Paul is  a silver smith, enamel artist and the owner of Seabright Metalworks in Santa Cruz.

Creator Haven LLC is at 41B, Hangar Way, Watsonville, CA

Help Needed: Identify Link Artists!

Link Project - Help us with artists names

Link Project - Help us with artists names

Hello MBMAG Members!

We need help crediting artists who made some of the links in our MBMAG Link Project. We have been tasked with labeling this work for the August opening of Surf, Sand, Silversmiths show at PVAC.

Our deadline for labeling is July 15.

Can anyone help? If you can identify the artist(s) who created any of the links in this post please email Rhonda Sprague at rhondasprague@sbcglobal.net.

We would really like to credit the artist who have contributed to this amazing Link Project. Thank you for your help!

 

 

 

 

 

 

CALL FOR ARTISTS: Surf, Sand & Silversmiths at PVAC – Aug to Oct 2016

Surf Sand and Silversmiths - PVAC 2016

Mokume gane shell - Artist: Jerry Blanchard

CALL FOR ARTISTS:

Surf, Sand and Silversmiths

at Pajaro Valley Arts Council in Watsonville
August 24 – October 9, 2016
Reception: August 28th

Monterey Bay Metal Arts Guild presents a new exhibition
at Pajaro Valley Arts Council in Watsonville.  
You are invited to participate in this very special event.

The theme is: Surf, Sand & Silversmiths
You may enter up to 3 pieces per artist
The entry fee is $35.00
Entry Deadline: June 15th

This should be new work, not shown in a previous MBMAG exhibit. Small and medium-sized Sculpture will also be accepted. We will have a Gift Shop within the show, for production pieces $150 retail and under. In the gift shop you can feature up to 6 pieces!  Any work sold can be replaced with another piece.

You must be a current MBMAG member to participate in this exhibit. Continue reading “CALL FOR ARTISTS: Surf, Sand & Silversmiths at PVAC – Aug to Oct 2016”