Metal Musing
Jewelry Designer Erin Austin of Eureka California writes about current projects, techniques, and inspirations as she forges her way into the world of metalsmithing.
  • Who Knew Tape Could be so Much Fun
    There is a new love in my life; it's name is electrical tape and I'm not ashamed to say it! I can't tell you how happy I am that I stumbled upon this tape.  It was a life saver. Just when I thought all was lost due to the wrist/hand injury and that I would have to leave RAD behind, along came my tape and all was right with the world once again.  OK, so maybe this tape discovery doesn't make the world a perfect place, but it's still a lot of fun!


    We've been together eight days now and things are going well.  I know this wont be a long term relationship, but I think we still have a lot to learn from each other before we part ways. Next I'm hoping I'll be able to manipulate it into preconceived forms... I know, I know, everyone always says you can't change em, but it's worth a try!
  • Humboldt Arts Festival
    The 1st (hopefully annual) Humboldt Arts Festival was last weekend and it was a great time. Two fabulous days of local bands and performers including Samba Amore, West African Dance, the Ya Habibi Dancers, New World Ballet, Strix Vega, The Bucky Walters, and many more kept the foot traffic consistent. The sculpture garden and ceramics demonstration area was awesome. Eel River Brewery was there with four local organic brews and 19 local vendors including the North Coast Metal Arts Guild (NCMAG) offered up a taste of plentiful creativity that the North Coast has to offer.

    A big thanks to everyone who came out to support our local arts community. It was a pleasure to set up with the NCMAG and to debut the rings from the RAD project. I am pleased to say that they were met with some very positive feedback. I look forward to showing them again during North Coast Open Studios.

  • North Coast Metal Arts Guild


         I am very excited to announce that The North Coast Metal Arts Guild (NCMAG) has been formed! Right now we are only three members strong but we hope to have an application process for new members very soon.   The NCMAG hopes to foster a community of local metal artists that will benefit from each others knowledge and support locally and online.  Right now we are meeting in coffee houses and guild member Erin House' s studio but eventually hope to move into a larger studio/gallery space and become an organization that will host classes and guest speakers for the local metals and art community as well as the community at large.  We also hope to support current metal students at HSU, CR and Eureka High through yearly grants/awards.  

         NCMAG members will also be working on several projects each year.  "Reliquary", our first member suggested project, was randomly drawn at our last meeting.  Proposals are due this Monday and the finished pieces will be up for viewing during North Coast Open Studios!

        Upcoming NCMAG events include:


    Sat, May 15, 2pm – 10pm
    Sun, May 16, 10am – 8pm
    I St between 9th and 11th, Arcata, CA  
     

    June 5-6 and June 12-13, 2010
    11-5 pm
    207 G street room 119
    (Buhne Building Artist Studios)

    Arts Alive 
    July 3rd, 6-9pm
    207 G street room #119
    (Buhne Building Artist Studios)