The Mendocino Art Center (MAC) will hosts a jewelry night, Tuesday, January 3, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Former MAC Jewelry Coordinator Jeff Georgantes will demonstrate the use of the precision pulse arc welder, and members of the Smitten Forum, a group of jewelry makers visiting the Art Center, will talk about the history of their organization.

Precision pulse arc welding has revolutionized the jewelry world. The welders utilize an electrode about the size of needle and all of the action happens under a microscope, which allows for precision welds similar to a laser welder. For this special presentation by jewelry instructor Jeff Georgantes, the Mendocino Art Center Jewelry Studio will have an assortment of Sunstone Engineering’s Orion welders. This is an opportunity to learn about this exciting technology and get a chance to try it as well. The demonstration is sponsored by Sunstone Engineering.

The Mendocino Art Center is hosting the Smitten Forum the first week in January. The concept behind the Smitten Forum is to create opportunities giving makers from the metals and jewelry field a place to come together in a creative environment and work side-by-side in a studio for one week. Invitees range from emerging to well-established makers as well as educators and professional jewelers. A variety of techniques and mediums are represented, including traditional silversmithing, enameling, computer aided design, found object assemblage, tin construction, welding, powder coating, casting, and many more. Past Smitten Forum’s have taken place at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts (Gatlinburg, TN) and Pocosin Arts (Columbia, NC).