I had also contacted a number of folks who were at the Enamelist Society conference (a number of whom I had met) and enough of them are interested that I'm moving forward with plans to make this happen.

I have some research to do on local venues that would work for a gathering in the 10 to 30 size (my home can handle up to 10).  I'll post back in a couple of weeks with some possible dates.  If you are interested, contact me.

I'm in Greensboro and would certainly be interested in coming. PS...Hello David & Rebecca!!!

Barbara,

 

Rebecca says "HI!!" too!

Shucks, you don't have to wait, let us know when you want to come down and play. 

 

Sounds interesting, though I don't know that I would have much to share given that I've only been doing this about three years. 

From East Tennessee where the autumn leaves are beginning to show some color.

Mary

Ms. Whittle,

The fastest way for all of us to become experts is for all of us to teach each other what we know.  That way, our creative time is spent inventing new techniques instead of re-inventing already discovered ones from scratch!

I'm pretty new at this too, but if I don't have much to contribute this time around, I'll have something to contribute the next time.

I've found an affordable venue for a weekend enameling conference/get together here in Fayetteville, NC.

How about Saturday the 27th of April, 2012?  Optionally, that Saturday and Sunday, the 28th of April, too.

I can get the room from 8am to 8pm each day.  It's fairly large and has work desks, sinks, and a patio.  They're used to kilns and torches being used there.

Cost would be in the $40 to $50 a person.   It would, technically, be a continuing education course at Fayetteville Technical Community College and the fee would be payable to the college.   The fee would include snacks and drinks, but probably not lunch.

Several folks would be willing to open up their homes to eliminate hotel costs for those who would prefer that.

This particular date has several advantages.  April weather in Fayetteville is usually charming and our Dogwood Festival is held that weekend about 15 minutes away.

In order to use that venue we have to have at least 8 people signed up.  If we have less than that, my home will suffice.

Let me know if you plan to make it.  We'll organize what we'll do once we find out who is coming.

I've found a venue to do this at.  We can have it from 8am until 8pm on Saturday, April 27th (and Sunday, April 28th if we want it).

It's the art classroom at a local technical community college.  Technically, this would be an adult continuing education class, with a fee of $40 to $50 a person paid to the college.  The fee would include snacks and drinks, but probably not lunch.

Several folks would be willing to open up their homes to eliminate hotel costs for those who would prefer that.

This particular date has several advantages.  April weather in Fayetteville is usually charming and our Dogwood Festival is held that weekend about 15 minutes away.

In order to use that venue we have to have at least 8 people signed
up.  If we have less than that, my home will suffice.

Let me know if you plan to make it.  We'll organize what we'll do once
we find out who is coming.

For example, I could demonstrate making cast pieces using the sand casting
method that can then be enameled.

I am new to both enameling (one year) and this wonderful forum.  I live in Summerfield NC and would love to come to this, but the timing is wrong for me this year.  I hope it goes great and that I can get more involved in the next event!

Hi all!

The contract my employer has me working on is still unresolved, but a decision is supposed to be made soon.  (It was supposed to have been done in January of LAST year, but that's another story.)  

This matters (to me anyway) because it determines whether I have a job on April 1st.  I've been spending my free time priming the employment pump just in case - instead of beating the drums to get volunteer teachers for this event.

That's a round-a-bout way of saying I'm going to have to postpone this workshop for a few months.  I've located a better site for the size of turnout I'm expecting and have been learning some new skills I can pass on as my share of the teaching.

David, I'm sorry to hear your job is so uncertain.  Hopefully, the situation is resolved, but if not, I hope you are pushed into a better position.  The workshop  being moved to a later date actually works for me.  I've been recovering from a series or respiratory problems and need some more time.  Sometimes bad things work out for good.  ;o)

On the plus side, my second local enameling class filled up with 9 students.  I'm building a group of local folks who are likely to attend and even (saints be praised!) help run the thing. 

Hi,

 

I would love for the Enamelers in the NC, SC, GA, VA and eastern TN  to get together for a weekend to meet and learn from one another.  I have in mind a mini-conference/workshop approach where those who are attending take turns showing what they have been working on and any techniques or tips that they have to share.

It could be as formal or informal as the attendees want it to be.

 

I live in Fayetteville, NC, USA, in the eastern part of NC. 

 

I'm willing to organize and host it here, but I'm certainly open to others doing so.

If you are interested in attending, post here.

Once we've established a list of folks who are interested in making it happen, we can start negotiating over dates.