© Winter 1997/98 Newsletter

 

SAS Sponsors 1998 Student Silversmiths Competition

The Society of American Silversmiths fosters excellence in silversmithing. To showcase and promote some of the great silver being produced in United States schools, SAS will devote part of the 1998 American Silversmith, including its cover, to student work. The competition will also allow students to have their creations seen in what has been, up to now, a purely SAS Artisan-focused publication.

The Criteria

The entry must have been created while a student in any degree or non-credit course in the United States, between January 1, 1996 and October 31, 1998. Graduates from 1997 and 1998 are also eligible.

The object (holloware, flatware, or sculpture) must contain at least 50% sterling or fine silver. Sorry, jewelry is not accepted. THERE IS NO ENTRY FEE!

The Prizes

Grand Prize

The grand-prize winner will have his or her piece pictured on the cover of the 1998 American Silversmith, along with a detailed description of how the piece was created, and the name of the student's school, teacher/s, and head of the metal-arts department. American Silversmith is mailed to the White House, the State Department, US museums with the largest silver collections, US and foreign design school metal-arts departments, magazines, art and craft organizations, silver companies, auction houses, and the general membership of SAS. The winning silversmith will also receive a complimentary one-year membership in SAS. Plus, our benefit supplier, Hoover & Strong, will award a 12" x 12" x 18-gauge (.040") sheet of sterling, and T.B. Hagstoz & Son will present a $100 gift certificate for tools.

Two Finalists

Two additional works will be published in American Silversmith, featuring the name of each winner's school, teacher/s, and head of the metal-arts department. These winning silversmiths will also receive a complimentary one-year membership in SAS.

The Jurors

A diverse, professional panel of SAS Artisans, including Boris Bally, Cynthia Eid, Jeffrey Herman, Olle Johanson, and Harold Schremmer, will comprise the jury. Each piece will be judged on its design and demonstration of the entrant's creativity and mastery of technique.

What We Need

We require an 8" x 10" glossy, black & white, professional- quality photograph of each entry. You may submit as many entries as you like.

When We Need It

All entries MUST be postmarked by OCTOBER 31, 1998. Late entries cannot be considered. To request an entry form with additional details, please see your metal-arts department head or send a SASE to: 1998 Silversmiths Competition, Society of American Silversmiths, PO Box 3599, Cranston, RI 02910.

Supplier News

NEW BENEFIT: SAS is grateful to Manufacturing Jewelers and Silversmiths of America (MJSA), which has allowed us to piggyback onto their association discount plan offered by Lawley Service Insurance, Inc.

Founded in 1935, Lawley is among the top 65 insurance organizations in the country (as ranked by Business Insurance magazine's "Top 100 Insurance Brokers in the US"). The size and independence of their agency are both assets to our members. They represent over 100 insurance companies and intermediaries, and with an experienced and professional staff of over 150, Lawley has the largest possible market from which to select coverage. Plus, with group buying power, you are assured of substantial discounts on your premiums. Our contact at Lawley is Michael Agliata. Lawley Service Insurance, Inc., 120 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14202, 800/859-8950, Fax: 716/849-8297.

Those members who have requested not to receive mailings other than those from SAS and SAS-sponsored events, will not be receiving a brochure from Lawley.

We Value Our Suppliers!

Hoover & Strong and T.B. Hagstoz & Son have been very generous in their offering of prizes for our upcoming Silversmiths Competition. On your next order of precious metal or supplies, please consider patronizing them!

Hoover & Strong offers SAS members the following discounts: On sterling, fine silver, and reticulation silver (80/20) sheet, wire, casting grain, and solder, they will bill at one quantity price break better than the quantity ordered. Supplies Stern/Leach sterling. Catalog available by contacting Hoover & Strong, 10700 Trade Rd., Richmond, VA 23236, 800/759-9997, 804/794-3700, Fax: 800/616-9997.

T.B. Hagstoz & Son offers SAS members these discounts: 1. On all gold, silver, and gold-filled orders, they will bill at one quantity price break better than the quantity ordered (1 dwt. min. of each size). 2. On most jewelry tools, they give a 10% discount (please inquire at time of purchase). 3. On all findings, they give one quantity price break better than the quantity ordered. Supplies Handy & Harman precious metal. Total minimum order: $25. Catalogs are available by contacting T.B. Hagstoz & Son, 709 Sansom St., Philadelphia, PA 19106, 800/922-1006, 215/922-1627, Fax: 215/922-7126.

Artisan Happenings

Fred Fenster, Alix Mikesell, and Munya Avigail Upin are participating in "Articraft '98 International: Ceremony in the Desert" at the Sylvia Plotkin Judaica Museum at Temple Beth Israel in Phoenix, Arizona. This exhibition of contemporary ceremonial art runs from January 11–March 15, 1998.

Thomas R. Markusen had a one-man sabbatical show at the Tower Fine Arts Gallery at SUNY College at Brockport where he teaches. Titled "Thomas R. Markusen: Metalsmithing for the 1990s," the 55-piece exhibition ran from November 9–December 14, 1997.

John Marshall's sculptural and functional objects, such as bottles, chalices, and bowls, are among the twenty-two metal and precious mineral forms going on display at University of Washington's Henry Gallery. John, an accomplished metalsmith and professor at the university's School of Art since 1970, incorporates different metals to render utilitarian objects such as vases, a coffee/tea service, and candleholders. In his sculptural creations that incorporate precious mineral specimens, the shape, color, and translucency of the stones play off the rich, reflective surfaces of the metal. John is also known for his mastery of the Japanese technique of mokume-gane.

John says of his work: "Function is an integral part of each piece I do—all parts must work within the design and not be in conflict with the sculptural movement. I find myself working more conceptually now in my pieces and less involved with the craft, confident that my hands will perform as a craftsman."

John's work will be on display to the general public at the Henry Gallery from March 20–June 7, 1998. He will discuss his work in a slide-illustrated lecture on the 19th, the night of the opening.

ShopTalk
by Jeffrey Herman

I discovered a unique resource for seamless felt rolls and belts for use with abrasive compounds: Edward H. Best & Company. I ordered 2" x 32" belts for my belt sander to buff and polish sterling letter openers with 5"-long by 1"- diameter handles. Why didn't I simply use regular muslin buffs? Because the handles had raised parallel ribs going down their entire length. Using a long-fiber, wheel-type buff would have allowed its cotton fibers to drag into the low-lying areas which were less than 1/32" below the surface! The incised lines were sandblasted to contrast with the highly polished ribs.

These felt belts were exactly what I needed for this finishing dilemma. I used one belt for tripoli, one for white diamond, and the other for rouge. The relatively flat and taut surface of the belts allowed me to safely refinish the letter openers without harm to the sandblasted areas. Each belt cost $24.50. They can make the more common 1" x 48" belts for $19.30 each, and can manufacture diameters up to 25", lengths up to 120", and thicknesses from 1/8" to 1/4". Their minimum order is $75, with an approximate delivery of two weeks. All belts are made-to-order. For a brochure, contact Carl S. Johnson, vice president, Edward H. Best & Company, 1076 Washington St., Hanover, MA 02339, 781/826-0291, Fax: 781/826-0294.

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