2nd Annual New England Orchid Event

Jewelry Discussion
1

Hello Orchidians!

I am pleased to announce the 2nd Annual New England Orchid Event for
Saturday, June 18th. This is a great opportunity to hang out with
your Orchid Friends, eat some good food and talk about your projects,
travels, show and tell and more. We had a lot of fun last year and
it was great getting to know so many Orchid members in the New
England Area.

We will have two educational demonstrations on Flexshaft Techniques
and Stone Setting. Karen will show images of jewelers and lapidaries
from Nepal and New Zealand and how they make their living.

We will be hosting another Silent Auction for Orchid, so please let
us know what you will be bringing. All proceeds assist paying
maintenance fees for Ganoksin’s new server, Titania.

I look forward to seeing you all again and hearing about your
discoveries and adventures.

When:
Saturday, June 18th, 12-6pm

Where:
Metalwerx
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451

Registration:
$35 for a fully catered lunch, including drinks.
For beer and wine, we will have a cash bar.

Registration Information:

You can register by credit card, check or cash at the door.

Register by Phone:

You can call in your registration to:
Karen Christians at Metalwerx
781 891 3855

Leave a message with your name and telephone number. We will return
your call. Remember to speak slowly.

You can fax your registration to:
Attn: Orchid Event
Fax: 781 891 3857

You can Email your registration to: @Karen_Christians Please DO NOT
put your credit card number in the email.

You can send us a check with your completed registration to:

NE Orchid Event
C/O Metalwerx
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451

Make your check payable to: Metalwerx

Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio

2

Hello Orchidians!

I am pleased to announce the 2nd Annual New England Orchid Event for
Saturday, June 18th. This is a great opportunity to hang out with
your Orchid Friends, eat some good food and talk about your
projects, travels, show and tell and more. We had a lot of fun last
year and it was great getting to know so many Orchid members in the
New England Area.

We will have two educational demonstrations on Flexshaft Techniques
and Stone Setting.

We will be hosting another Silent Auction for Orchid, so please let
us know what you will be bringing. All proceeds assist paying
maintenance fees for Ganoksin’s new server, Titania.

I look forward to seeing you all again and hearing about your
discoveries and adventures.

When:
Saturday, June 18th, 12-6pm

Where:
Metalwerx
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451

Registration:
$35 for a fully catered lunch, including drinks.
For beer and wine, we will have a cash bar.

Registration Information:

You can register by credit card, check or cash at the door.

Register by Phone:

You can call in your registration to:
Karen Christians at Metalwerx
781 891 3855

Leave a message with your name and telephone number. We will return
your call. Remember to speak slowly.

You can fax your registration to:
Attn: Orchid Event
Fax: 781 891 3857

You can Email your registration to: @Karen_Christians Please DO NOT
put your credit card number in the email.

You can send us a check with your completed registration to:

NE Orchid Event
C/O Metalwerx
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451

Make your check payable to: Metalwerx

Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio

3

Hello Orchidians!

I am pleased to announce the 2nd Annual New England Orchid Event for
Saturday, June 18th. This is a great opportunity to hang out with
your Orchid Friends, eat some good food and talk about your
projects, travels, show and tell and more. We had a lot of fun last
year and it was great getting to know so many Orchid members in the
New England Area.

We will have two educational demonstrations on Flexshaft Techniques
and Stone Setting.

We will be hosting another Silent Auction for Orchid, so please let
us know what you will be bringing. All proceeds assist paying
maintenance fees for Ganoksin’s new server, Titania.

I look forward to seeing you all again and hearing about your
discoveries and adventures.

When:
Saturday, June 18th, 12-6pm

Where:
Metalwerx
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451

Registration:
$35 for a fully catered lunch, including drinks.
For beer and wine, we will have a cash bar.

Registration Information:

You can register by credit card, check or cash at the door.

Register by Phone:

You can call in your registration to:
Karen Christians at Metalwerx
781 891 3855

Leave a message with your name and telephone number. We will return
your call. Remember to speak slowly.

You can fax your registration to:
Attn: Orchid Event
Fax: 781 891 3857

You can Email your registration to: karen AT metalwerx.com Please DO NOT
put your credit card number in the email.

You can send us a check with your completed registration to:

NE Orchid Event
C/O Metalwerx
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451

Make your check payable to: Metalwerx

Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio

4

Hi All,

The deadline for registering for the NE Orchid Event is approaching.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY JUNE 10!

The 2nd Annual New England Orchid Event is a great opportunity to
meet and greet your fellow Orchidians, and have a day of Educational
Demonstrations, show and tell and an opportunity to raise money for
Ganoksin’s new server, Titania!

Organizer: Karen Christians and the Metalwerx Community Studio

When: Saturday, June 18
Time: 12-5pm
Where:
Metalwerx, 50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
781 891 3855

Back by popular demand! This year we will have four educational
demonstrations:

 Michael David Sturlin - Stone Setting Techniques
 Karen Christians - Flexible Shaft: Beyond the Bench
 Dan Grandi - Cutting a Mold
 Dave Omstead - Ornamental Engraving

 Registration Fee: $35 [Includes lunch and demos]
 Walkin day of Event: $40
 Cash Bar: beer, wine and soda

How to Register:

There are two ways to register.

  1. Email: send an email to Karen@metalwerx.com OR use the Metalwerx
    Contact Form Contact Us | Metalwerx

  2. By Phone: Call Karen Christians at 781 891 3855 Method of
    Payment: We take credit cards, checks or cash. Upon registration, you
    will be sent a confirmation card. Checks should be made payable to
    METALWERX.

The 2nd Annual New England Orchid Event Silent Auction

This is your opportunity to assist keeping Ganoksin healthy and
strong. The purpose of an Orchid Silent Auction is two-fold. One, it
helps with the enormous expense of running Ganoksin’s new server
Titania. Two, you get to bid on tools, jewelry, books, stones or
equipment for your studio!

What should I donate?
Anything really. The Orchid Silent Auction has seen Casting Equipment
to Muffin Pans. Bidding is fun and everyone benefits!

How do I donate? It’s easy! Send an email to Karen@metalwerx.com
with the following and we’ll take care of the rest. When
your item is received by Metalwerx, we will send you a confirmation
by mail or email.

 Name:
 Address:
 Phone number:
 Description of item:
 Value of item:
 I am mailing my item for the silent auction: [Y][N]
 I am bringing my item with me:   [Y][N]

Dates to remember!

If you are mailing your item please send it no later than June 10!
If you are bringing your item with you, please let us know.
Last year we raised nearly $2000 for the Ganoksin. This year we
hope to raise $3000!

Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/

5

Hello New England Orchidans!

Registrations are beginning to arrive. We have about 30 people so
far attending the event. If you have never been to an Orchid Event,
this is a great way to spend the day. Put a face to names you see on
Orchid. We will have a wonderful day of sharing stories, passing
around jewelry creations and watching some great educational demos.
If you cannot come to the NE Orchid Event, consider sending along a
donation for our silent auction. All proceeds help out with the
expenses of Titania, Ganoksin’s computer server.

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY JUNE 10!

When: Saturday, June 18
Time: 12-5pm
Where:
Metalwerx, 50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
781 891 3855

Back by popular demand! This year we will have four educational
demonstrations:

 Michael David Sturlin - Stone Setting Techniques
 Karen Christians - Flexible Shaft: Beyond the Bench
 Dan Grandi - Cutting a Mold
 Dave Omsted - Ornamental Engraving

 Registration Fee: $35 [Includes lunch and demos]
 Walkin day of Event: $40
 Cash Bar: beer, wine and soda

How to Register:

There are two ways to register.

  1. Email: send an email to Karen AT metalwerx.com OR use the Metalwerx
    Contact Form Contact Us | Metalwerx

  2. By Phone: Call Karen Christians at 781 891 3855 Method of
    Payment: We take credit cards, checks or cash. Upon registration, you
    will be sent a confirmation card. Checks should be made payable to
    METALWERX.

The 2nd Annual New England Orchid Event Silent Auction

This is your opportunity to assist keeping Ganoksin healthy and
strong. The purpose of an Orchid Silent Auction is two-fold. One, it
helps with the enormous expense of running Ganoksin’s new server
Titania. Two, you get to bid on tools, jewelry, books, stones or
equipment for your studio!

What should I donate?
Anything really. The Orchid Silent Auction has seen Casting Equipment
to Muffin Pans. Bidding is fun and everyone benefits!

How do I donate? It’s easy! Send an email to Karen AT metalwerx.com
with the following and we’ll take care of the rest. When
your item is received by Metalwerx, we will send you a confirmation
by mail or email.

 Name:
 Address:
 Phone number:
 Description of item:
 Value of item:
 I am mailing my item for the silent auction: [Y][N]
 I am bringing my item with me:   [Y][N]

Dates to remember!

If you are mailing your item please send it no later than June 10!

If you are bringing your item with you, please let us know.

Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/

6

Hello New England Orchidans!

Put a face to names you see on Orchid!

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FRIDAY JUNE 10!

We will have a wonderful day of sharing stories, passing around
jewelry creations and watchinug some great educational demos.

When: Saturday, June 18
Time: 12-5pm
Where:
Metalwerx, 50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
781 891 3855

Back by popular demand! This year we will have four educational
demonstrations:

 Michael David Sturlin - Stone Setting Techniques
 Karen Christians - Flexible Shaft: Beyond the Bench
 Dan Grandi - Cutting a Mold
 Dave Omsted - Ornamental Engraving

 Registration Fee: $35 [Includes lunch and demos]
 Walkin day of Event: $40
 Cash Bar: beer, wine and soda

How to Register:

There are two ways to register.

  1. Email: send an email to Karen@metalwerx.com

  2. By Phone: Call Karen Christians at 781 891 3855 Method of
    Payment: We take credit cards, checks or cash. Upon registration,
    you will be sent a confirmation card. Checks should be made payable
    to METALWERX.

The 2nd Annual New England Orchid Event Silent Auction

This is your opportunity to assist keeping Ganoksin healthy and
strong. The purpose of an Orchid Silent Auction is two-fold. One, it
helps with the enormous expense of running Ganoksin’s new server
Titania. Two, you get to bid on tools, jewelry, books, stones or
equipment for your studio!

What should I donate?
Anything really. The Orchid Silent Auction has seen Casting Equipment
to Muffin Pans. Bidding is fun and everyone benefits!

How do I donate? It’s easy! Send an email to Karen AT metalwerx.com
with the following and we’ll take care of the rest. When
your item is received by Metalwerx, we will send you a confirmation
by mail or email.

 Name:
 Address:
 Phone number:
 Description of item:
 Value of item:
 I am mailing my item for the silent auction: [Y][N]
 I am bringing my item with me:   [Y][N]

Dates to remember!

If you are mailing your item please send it no later than June 10!

If you are bringing your item with you, please let us know.

Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/

7

Hello Orchidians!

Some of you have written to me expressing concern that this event is
for “experienced” jewelers and metalsmiths. An Orchid Event is for
everyone and anyone who has either played, tinkered, read, looked at,
wore, oogled, worked in or owns jewelry, meaning, EVERYONE is
invited. That means your friends, partners, family members, spouses
and kids.

We hope to see you at an exciting day of demonstrations and meeting
your online friends at Orchid.

Now you can register online at
http://www.metalwerx.com/workshop/80

Don’t forget the Orchid Silent Auction! This helps offset the
enormous costs of bringing you Orchid every day.

We have so far:

  A beautiful silver necklace
  A flexible shaft
  Two gift certificates for dinner for two
  A Benchmate
  Books from AJM
  Beautiful Orchid pins
  An assortment of great stones
  A workshop at Metalwerx including lodging

More to come! The full list will be released next week.

http://www.metalwerx.com/workshop/80
When: Saturday, June 18
Time: 12-5pm
Where: Metalwerx School
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854

Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio

8

The 2nd Annual New England Orchid Event
What’s that?

If you have never been to a New England Orchid Event, this is a
great way to spend the day. Put a face to names you see on Orchid,
make friends with other jewelers and metalsmiths in New England.

We will have a wonderful day of sharing stories, passing around
jewelry creations and watching some great educational demos.

An Orchid Event is for everyone and anyone who has either played,
tinkered, read, looked at, wore, ogled, fabricated or owns jewelry,
meaning, EVERYONE is invited. That means your friends, partners,
family members, spouses and kids.

Back by popular demand! This year we will have four educational
demonstrations:

Michael David Sturlin - Stone Setting Techniques
Karen Christians - Flexible Shaft: Beyond the Bench
Dan Grandi - Cutting a Mold
Dave Olmsted - Ornamental Engraving

When: Saturday, June 18
Time: 12-5pm
Where: Metalwerx, 50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
781 891 3855

Registration Fee: $35 [Includes lunch and demonstrations]
Walk-in day of Event: $40
Cash Bar: beer, wine and soda

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS JUNE 12!
After June 12, the Registration Fee is $40.

How to Register:

  1. Email: Contact Us | Metalwerx
  2. Rregister Pnline at http://www.metalwerx.com/workshop/80
  3. By Phone Call Karen Christians at 781 891 3855

Don’t forget the Orchid Silent Auction.

The 2nd Annual New England Orchid Event Silent Auction

This is your opportunity to assist keeping Ganoksin healthy and
strong. The purpose of an Orchid Silent Auction is two-fold. One, it
helps with the enormous expense of running Ganoksin’s new server
Titania. Two, you get to bid on tools, jewelry, books, stones or
equipment for your studio!

What should you donate? Anything really. The Orchid Silent Auction
has seen Casting Equipment to Muffin Pans. Bidding is fun and
everyone benefits!

How do I donate?

It’s easy! Send an email to Karen@metalwerx.com with the item you
wish to donate, the value, your contact and we’ll take
care of the rest.

OR complete our Contact Form Contact Us | Metalwerx

Remember to tell us what it is and what is the value. Even if you
are not attending the NE Orchid Event, you can still donate!

So far we have:

Gesswein: A donation of Swiss Hand Files and great pliers, value $230
Richard Wise: A signed copy of SECRETS OF THE GEM TRADE
Minau: A dinner for 2 at Spire Restaurant, value $150
Zinny Wu and Gabriel Stetson: a lovely sterling and stone necklace
Pam Ferren: Recycled Food Box Covers and notebooks, value $45
Metalwerx: Channel Setting Workshop with Michael Sturlin, value $325
Metalwerx: A Benchmate
Rich Youmans at MJSA: Books from AJM
Sumner Silverman: A collection of sterling Orchid pins, value $175
Karen Christians: An assortment of great stones, value $150
Karen Christians: Another fabulous Muffin Pan, value $25

We will add to the list as more goodies arrive.

Hope to see you there!
Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio

9

Hi everyone,

I had the privilege and pleasure of attending the 2nd Annual New
England Orchid Event yesterday at MetalWerx in Waltham,
Massachusetts. It was wonderful meeting folks that I’ve seen on
Orchid or chatted with on the phone. It felt more like a reunion with
old friends.

Karen Christians put together a great day! It was a gloriously
sunny Saturday so we started with a catered lunch outdoors…
delicious Thai food (Karen’s nod to Hanuman :slight_smile:

Then we went inside to Karen’s spacious and well-equipped school for
a variety of demonstrations and lectures by experts in mold cutting,
stone setting, 60-second tube setting (that was so cool!) and much
more. There was a free flow of lots of questions and
answers, it was very personal and it was fun. Really good stuff!

A silent auction helped raise money for Ganoksin.com and Orchid. Not
only did we all laugh a lot, but it was such a good feeling to know
that we were supporting a forum that we all love and value so
highly. (And I won two auctions! One of them was a beautiful silver
Orchid pin so I’m one step closer to my goal of collecting all the
different designs of pins made for Orchid.)

We had a good turnout and I hope next year to see everyone again
and to meet more new faces too. We had a good range of people there
from real beginners to real experts. And no one felt out of place
because it was such a friendly open atmosphere (which is something
Karen inspires).

Anyway, thank you Karen! I know this was a lot of work for you and
I’ll not only be there next year but I’m really looking forward to
that weekend forging class at MetalWerx!

And thank you Hanuman for Ganoksin and Orchid which has been the most
far-reaching and instrumental motivating force in bringing together
those of us who love metals, gems and beads.

Elaine Corwin
http://www.gesswein.com
Gesswein Co. Inc.
Tel: 1-800-544-2043 x287

10

The Orchid gathering at Metalwerx in Waltham MA on Saturday was a
very enjoyable and successful event. There was a nice turnout of
smiling engaging people, representing a wonderful cross section of
the metalsmithing community.

I would like to personally thank Karen Christians for arranging this
event and also for inviting me to demonstrate. I’d additionally like
to thank every one who attended for their time and attention, and for
their continued support of the Ganoksin Project.

I was delighted to see so much interest in the educational programs
offered at Metalwerx and I hope to see many of you in a class or
workshop there this fall.

Warm regards,
Michael
www.michaeldavidsturlin.com

11

Hello All:

The 2nd Annual Orchid Event was GREAT! We had about 50 Orchidians,
who shared a great Thai lunch, saw educational demos, swapped stories
of jewelry making and active bidding to the Orchid Silent Auction.

Daniel Grandi gave us his insights into the world of moldmaking and
casting.

Michael Sturlin illustrated points on stone setting with regard to
equipment, ergonomics and philosophical approach to the work.

Karen Christians talked about maintenance features of your flexshaft
and the upcoming book in the Orchid in Print Series, “Making the Most
of Your Flexshaft”.

Dave Olmsted gave a brilliant talk and demo on ornamental engraving.

We raised $1500 for Titania! The donation items were varied,
including a unique Resin Inlay 101 Kit for making your own resin
inlay, a lovely drusy calcite specimen and a dinner certificate for
two. In case you are wondering, yes, the muffin pan was hotly bid
upon and nearly fought over!

I would like to thank the following people for making the New England
Orchid Event so fabulous.

Our helpful assistants:
Pat Glover
Stephanie Becker
Carrie DiCecca
Dave Baird
Mary Lou Dagostino
Andrea Zeren
Sumner Silverman

Our Educators:
Daniel Grandi
Michael Sturlin
Dave Olmsted

Finally, I would like to thank all the attendees and supporters of
Orchid. Your participation made this day special.

I will look forward to next year’s event!

Karen Christians
M E T A L W E R X
50 Guinan St.
Waltham, MA 02451
Ph. 781/891-3854 Fax 3857
http://www.metalwerx.com/
Jewelry/Metalarts School & Cooperative Studio

12

Hello,

I am not quite through with the building of the new house, I
certainly do not have a studio yet. That still is boxed and stacked.
That’s alright, I am doing intense wax work and that requires little
space.

I have been living in the construction site since January with much
too much to do. This did not keep my from the Orchid gathering. It
was so good to get away from all the things that Must Be Done and
visit with old friends and new. I emptied my head of tasks and
filled it with knowledge. That was the major feature that sticks
with me in the after glow. What a talented group we are! How very
willing we are to share! The food and friendship were wonderful, but
the inspiration of seeing such accomplished work coming from such a
depth of knowledge is hard to find.

Thanks to all for being there. And thanks to all the hard workers
that put the event together, a daunting task.

szs

13

The 2nd Annual Orchid Event was a wonderful event and I wished that
more people realized all that is offered. I left the day wondering
how next year’s could possibly top this, quickly realizing it doesn’t
have to be topped. This year was great and so was last year’s! It was
educative and stimulating.

The day was an opportunity to meet people who were until then only
names in Orchid and in books and magazine articles. Professionals
were so kind and

patient with those of us who are only serious hobbyists.

Karen Christians has succeeded in infecting so many with her
honesty, friendliness, interest in what even the beginners are
doing, and helpfulness. Feeling unwelcome is impossible. She and
the others there have created an overall supportive environment
which is so conducive to learning and was certainly reflected this
day. It was wonderful to have Michael Sturlin tell the rest of us
how to crochet (as though many people will ever achieve the flawless
pieces he turns out!) Daniel Grandi demonstrated why everyone would
be well-advised to look to him for casting their pieces. David
Olmsted made us all wish we could duplicate the magnificence of his
engravings, knowing that many of us will not have the 25 years to
develop his skill level. Karen demonstrated maintenance of the
Flexishaft so that it made me want to read her book for all the rest
of the she has in those pages.

Once again, the catered Thai food was fitting to the occasion and
very delicious. New Englanders (or others within travel distance) who
missed this compelling event should not miss the next one.

Eve Welts
Certified PMC Instructor