Club Calendar

Calender is here.

Coming Events

Looking forward to a great 2010!

Member Log In

If you are a club member you can create an account at the following link that will let you write text, upload photos, and add content to our website. Click on the next link, then click on Register. When you log in after receiving your password be sure to edit your profile using your *real* name. After your name is checked against our membership list your account will be upgraded to permit you to add content to the website. Author Log In

Writing an article

How To Write An Article For The Website - It’s really simple!  1) Log in. 2) Click on Posts.  3) Click on Add New.  4) Type your article.  5) Select a Category.  6) Click Update Post  Done!!!

There are a few Categories that you’d expect given our club’s interests.  They include Cabbing, Faceting, PMC, and similar categories. Be sure to click on the desired set of categories so your article appears for the users.

Uploading Photos or other Files - Below the “editing window” you’ll find “Fast Insert”.  Click on Select Files, upload it, done!!!  You are welcome to make your posts as long as you want, but keep in mind that you need to keep the reader’s interest, so make it interesting.

Information on both writing an article and some on administration is in the attachment.  Click on the link, then click again when you go to the next page.    ;-) publishing to the website

New chain maille class on Sat. Feb. 20th

three basic bracelets

Basic Chain Maille in Rubber and Aluminum

Date: Saturday, February 20th, from 1-4 PM

Location: PLG workshop, 169 Defense Highway (lower level) Annapolis, MD.

Description: Use inexpensive materials to create a simple pair of earrings (not pictured) and three fun and funky bracelets! Learn how to properly open and close anodized aluminum jump rings, and use them to connect non-latex rubber o-rings. Each item will be made using black rubber o-rings and students will have a choice of two different colors of aluminum rings for each design.

Fees: $20, payable in cash or by check made out to the PLG. Materials for each bracelet can be purchased CASH ONLY the day of class. Cost for all four items is $15, and additional kits will be available for purchase as well.

Requirements: Students are required to bring two pairs of non-serrated jewelry pliers, one of which MUST be straight chain-nose for use in stretching the rubber o-rings. The other pair can be flat-nose, bent chain-nose, or whatever you like. Pliers can be purchased at any craft store (Michael’s or A.C. Moore) or bead store (Bead Depot in Glen Burnie, Gotta Luv Beads in Severna Park) for between $5 and $7. Please contact the instructor with any questions about pliers.

To register for this class: Email the instructor, Ellie Barna, at ecbarna@verizon.net . No deposit is necessary, but be prepared to pay at the start of the class. Class size will be limited to 8 students. Your place will be reserved when you receive a confirmation email from the instructor.

Shop Supplies

I’ve decided to start a list of supplies for the shop here, so anyone can add to the list simply by posting a comment on the thread. I’ll periodically update the list so everyone can see the current status.

Note that the “vendor” column may just be what I’m using for a price quote. If you know of a cheaper place than I have listed, please speak up!

Item Vendor Cost Unit Status Notes
Denatured Alcohol Lowes $16 gal priced for lamps (waxwork)
Brass sprue forms Rio $19.45 per 10 priced 1/8″ x 2″, for mold making (waxwork)
25′ Extension Cords Lowes $10 ea priced buy 4
velcro Lowes $30 roll priced 2″ x 15′, industrial strength, need for polishing laps & signs
Cerium Oxide Rio $11.10 lb priced price is for quan≥3

Make N Take Workshop

Learn how to make earrings out of sterling wire, semi precious stones, crystal and glass beads. Each student will get a kit and learn how to make their own ear wires and add beads to them. Student will take home the two pairs of earrings they made at the workshop. Think gifts!

Sunday November 29, 2009 from 1 – 5 pm at the shop.

The cost of this workshop is a $5 shop fee plus a kit for $15.  The kit will provide you with the materials to make two pair of sterling earrings.

Extra earring kits will be available for purchase from the Instructor or you may bring your own.

Students will need to bring an optivisor if they have one. Tools will be available for your use; however, you may bring yours if you have them.

There is no deposit for this workshop you just pay the shop fee.

Please email Carol at Car4jewelry@aol.com if you plan to attend this Make N Take Workshop so there are enough kits for everyone.

Introduction to Meet Point Faceting

When: January 9th, 16th, and 23rd  from 9 am to 5:3o pm

Instructor: Bob

Member Cost: $130 + $10 materials fee

Nonmember Cost: $150 + $10 materials fee

(Materials fee will be reduced to $5.00 if the student provides their own citrine or amethyst.   In order to qualify for this reduction, the stone must be approved by the instructor.)

Prerequisite: None

Register by:  December 21st

Max Students:  3

Min Students:  3

Deadline to Register:    Contact plgclasses@gmail.com if you are interested in this class. 

Description:   Topics covered will include introduction to types and use of faceting machines and laps as well as an introduction to meet point faceting.  There will be discussion on types of adhesives, contamination, gems and their selection, faceting terminology, and types of polishes.  Students will learn to cut a round brilliant gem (amethyst or citrine) and learn how to setup machines for faceting as well as how to properly clean up the machines at the end of the day.  Students will need to provide epoxy.  They type needed will be discussed during class.  In addition, an optivisor is helpful but not required.  The club has 10x loops available for use, but if you prefer, you can bring your own.  If you have a special citrine or amethyst that you want to cut, you are welcome to bring it in for instructor approval for use in the class.  We won’t be cutting any other type of gem but we will have a discussion on cutting non-quartz gems.

Knotted Beading Weekend Class – Cancelled

Instructor: Carol

Two alternate class dates are offered: 

November 28 & 29  9am to 5pm    Register By:  November 13

December 19 & 20  9am to 5pm    Register By:  December 4

Registration Fee: $50.00 PLG member, $60.00 PLG non-member

Kits will be available to purchase for $50.00 per project.

This class will be 1 to 2 full-day classes (depending on the needs of the students), starting Saturday from 9am to 5pm with a lunch break.  If needed additional time to complete the class will be available Sunday 9am to 5pm with a lunch break.

Each student will receive instructions for beading on silk.  Students will complete a Pearl necklace. Your finished necklace value will be more than $150. Students will need to bring an optivisor if they have one. Tools will be available for your use; however, you may bring your own if you have them.

Each class will have a minimum of three students and a maximum of four. 

For questions regarding classes, please contact plgclasses@gmail.com

Super-Basic Lost Wax Casting

Instructor: Diana

Email: Thom...@verizon.net

Each class will have 4+ students

Student Fee: $75.00 member, $100.00 non-member

Materials fee: $10.00 which covers enough Argentium to complete one project in the course, investment used for casting the project, and waxes used.

The instructor is also available 30 November through 17 December on Mondays through Thursdays. If you are intersted in dates not listed here, please contact the instructor to explore alternate class dates.

December 1 and 2, 6-8 PM           Register by:  November 17

December 7 and 8, 6-8 PM           Register by:  November 24

December 14 and 15, 6-8 PM       Register by:  December 1

December 21 and 22, 6-8 PM       Register by:  December 7

There is no prerequisite, however a knowledge of smithing is a plus

This Super-Basic Lost Wax Casting class is structured to get students into the casting field. It introduces students to the equipment and tools used in the process of lost wax casting by preparing and casting one wax pattern. At the end of this course, a student should be confident enough to invest, burn out, cast, and polish a wax pattern. If a student is a member of the PLG, they will then be allowed to use the Guild equipment during open shop nights to cast designs using their own silver or gold.

To learn more about casting you will want to take the longer, more advanced class which will cover more theory, how to create your own wax patterns, how to carve a ring, how to inject or pour patterns, and make single-sided silicon molds.

Chain Maille Bracelet – Double Spiral

WHEN: Saturday, November 14th, 2009 from 9 am to 5 pm with a lunch break. if a second day is needed for this class, it will be Sunday, November 15th.

COST: $100 for PLG members, $130 for non-members

CLASS DESCRIPTION: Each student will receive instructions for a chain maille pattern, learn how to make jump rings, and complete a project. Kits will be available to purchase in copper or Argentium silver for up to $60 per project depending on the metal chosen. Students will need to bring an Optivisor if they have one. Tools will be available for your use, however, you may bring your own pliers if you have them.

If this class fills up, a waiting list will be created for another class. If there are not 3 students enrolled in this class, the class will be cancelled and interested students will be put at the top of the waiting list for the next class.

If you are interested, please send in your deposit by November 9th. For questions regarding classes, please contact plgclasses@gmail.com

Chain Maille Bracelet – Mobius Flower

WHEN:  Saturday, October 24th, 2009 from 9 am to 5 pm with a lunch break.  if a second day is needed for this class, it will be Sunday, October 25th.

COST:  $100 for PLG members, $130 for non-members

CLASS DESCRIPTION:  Each student will receive instructions for a chain maille pattern, learn how to make jump rings, and complete a project.  Kits will be available to purchase in copper or Argentium silver for up to $60 per project depending on the metal chosen.  Students will need to bring an Optivisor if they have one.  Tools will be available for your use, however, you may bring your own pliers if you have them.

If this class fills up, a waiting list will be created for another class.  If there are not 3 students enrolled in this class, the class will be cancelled and interested students will be put at the top of the waiting list for the next class. 

If you are interested, please send in your deposit by October 19th.  For questions regarding classes, please contact plgclasses@gmail.com

Mobuis Flower Chainmaille Bracelet Class

Mobius Flower

Each student will receive instructions for a chainmaille pattern, learn how to make jump rings, and complete a project. Kits will be available to purchase in Copper or Argentium for up to $60.00 per project.

This class will be 1set of-2 full day classes with a minimum of three students and is limited to four students max.

The cost of this class $100.00 for members and 130.00 for non-members.

This class will start Saturday October 17, 2009 from 9-5 with a lunch break. If a second day is needed for this class, it will be Sunday October 18, 2009 from 9-5 with a lunch break.

Students will need to bring an optivisor if they have one. Tools will be available for your use; however, you may bring your own pliers if you have them.

If this class fills up, a waiting list will be created for another class. If there are not 3 students enrolled in this class, the class will be cancelled and interested students will be put at the top of the waiting list for the next class. If you are interested, please send in your deposit by October 1st. For questions regarding classes, please contact plgc...@verizon.net.

Introduction to Lost Wax Casting

When: October 26, 27, 28, November 2,3,4,9,10, 11 from 6-9 pm

Instructor: Diana

Member Cost: $200 + $25 materials fee

Nonmember Cost: $220 + $25 materials fee

Prerequisite: None (but knowledge of smithing is helpful) Max Students: 8

Min Students: 4

Deadline to Register: Deposit is due by October 19th to secure your registration.

Description: Basic Lost Wax Casting introduces students to the equipment and tools used in the process of creating wax patterns and the process of actually casting those wax patterns into silver art objects. Lectures and handouts give the student a broader view of the art of lost wax casting while showing the class other options to casting. Silicon mold making will be introduced and injection of Ferris molds will enhance the experience. At the end of this course, a student should be confident enough to create their own wax patterns and feel comfortable using the lab equipment. Students are also introduced to methods of creating jewelry art pieces beyond just the basics, as time permits. If a student is a member of the PLG, they will then be allowed to use the Guild equipment during open shop nights to create their own designs and cast them in silver or gold, which they provide. For questions, please contact plgclasses@gmail.com