I am going to miss my senior metalsmiths. Many of the current smiths have the depth of knowledge I was hoping that my metals program would foster when I first started working here at AppState.
@margaretschupp_ Maggie Schupp graduated this past semester with a BFA in Studio Art. Maggie found her way to Metals early in her time at AppState via a 3D Foundations course where one of my colleagues identified her as someone who might be interested in taking Metals.
Maggie had already been working for @kendakistjewelry so it was evident from the beginning that she had a passion for making. Maggie took every class that I offer in Metals and built her skills to be able to make this body of work for her capstone exhibition. The images of women from Maggie’s family are laser etched onto vitreous enamel that are set into CNC cut foam that’s been upholstered and framed. These frames become the “jewelry boxes” that contain wearables objects cast in sterling silver that have been depletion gilded. The frames also contain silhouettes of the cast animals that represent the women from Maggie’s family that are cast in bronze and contain set stones. Maggie’s interest in interior design, architecture, and jewelry really came through in this final body of work.
It’s been so great to be able to work with Maggie during her time here. Maggie is one of the most considerate and kind students that I have had the pleasure to teach. She was always respectful and appreciative; traits that students don’t always exhibit.
Maggie was able to combine so many skills in this final body of work. The cast pieces were 3D printed in castable resin from models Maggie made via Nomad Sculpt and she used Rhino to design and mill the foam surfaces that she wrapped in fabric. Maggie and her dad made the frames from crown molding. It was so awesome to see this body of work come together and to see Maggie creatively problem solve as she encountered obstacles. I am so proud of Maggie.
I will truly miss working with Maggie in the studio. That said, I can’t wait to see what she creates in the future and to see how her career will grow. Congratulations on a job well done, Maggie!
@sacredswirls_ Kailyn Sager made this copper, Nu-gold, and bronze doll as a part of her Junior Seminar this semester. Kailyn was taking Metal Forming and Design for Digital Fabrication at the same time so this object incorporates many new skills. The piece was modeled in Rhino and then templates for metalforming were created from the model. A 3d printed version was also created to test out the shapes before working in copper and Nu-gold. The hands and feet were cast in bronze with the assistance of @schuppjewelry . It’s interesting to see a student fall in love with a process and see how easily they “take” to the process. Forming has been that way for Kailyn and it’s been fun to watch. Kailyn has more semesters in Metals ahead of her and she has the dedication and desire to keep pushing her skills. Can’t wait to see what she makes in the future.
@o_03ve Eve Summers made these enameled pieces this semester in the Metals Portfolio course. These objects have been lifted out of Eve’s sketchbook and come to life as narrative three dimensional characters. Eve has one more semester left and is planning a final exhibition that includes similar characters that will eventually become a part of a narrative created through three dimensional vignettes. I look forward to seeing the work develop this summer.
@ella_walter_ Ella Walter made these two large vessels in the Metals Portfolio course this semester. These objects are made with steel TIG welding rod, steel sheet, and copper sheet and wire. Ella will be finishing up her BFA next semester as she creates her capstone body of work. I look forward to seeing her work develop after having had a breakthrough semester this Spring. Can’t wait to see what she makes next.
@abbyhauser.art Abby Hauser made this beautiful copper box in my Metals Tech course this semester. Abby was a senior in painting, but took Metals I a few semesters ago and then decided to take Metals IV Metals Tech during her capstone semester. For the first half of the semester Abby experimented with hinges via several samples and then this box was the final project along with a research paper and documentation. The lid is based on an imagery in one of her capstone paintings. The insert is made from thrifted fabric and book board. Well done, Abby!
I’m excited to be a Presenter for the Friday Sessions at SNAG x Detroit Conference on Friday, June 12th at Wayne State University.
My demo explores a hybrid workflow: using entry-level 3D printing to create detailed, reusable patterns for traditional sand casting. Combining digital modeling with this ancient process revolutionizes beginner classrooms and independent studios. By replacing hand-carved models with 3D prints, makers can rapidly iterate, achieve precise draft angles, and go from digital file to finished metal cast in a single afternoon.
I’m looking forward to seeing all the other presenters this year. Swipe to see some of the amazing metalsmiths that will be in Detroit.
This year’s theme, Labor & Legacy, explores jewelry and metalwork as both practice and inheritance. Looking forward to sharing and connecting in Detroit!
Head over to @snagmetalsmith to learn more and register
This is the final project from my metal forming class. We made ice cream scoops; some functional; some slightly more sculptural. We had fun with this and I appreciate the diversity of design and technique.
Work by:
Kailyn Sager
Zach Holiday
Sandy Zufall
Natalia Barskevicius
Leo Wilkie
Abby Poling
Alex Hauser
Ella Walter
Evelyn Summers
Jade Freeman
Grace Reaves
Grace Guevarra
I taught two sections of beginning Metals this semester. This is the final project for the class. It was a good semester.
work by:
Alex Huffman
Amaya Hollington
Hannah Brake
Jamie Burns
Luke Boehling
Rachel Shields
Luke Lewis
Katie Rodgers
I taught two sections of beginning Metals this semester. This is the final project for the class. It was a good semester.
work by:
Macy Senger
Sidney Carpenter
Neela Bell
Livia Hess
Ian Demus
Frankie Mancuso
Judith Sasser
Abby Watkins
Benjamin Lawless
Katie Rogers
Taylor Thompson
The end of the semester means documentation of student work.
These spoons are from my Metal Forming class midterm project. The assignment was to forge a spoon and to learn how metal stretches and moves. We started off with Rachel Kedinger @rkedinger as our inspiration as she uses naval brass to make amazing spoons and utensils.
We used @rhino3d.education to design our spoons using SubD tools. Then we 3d printed several versions to feel and test before we started forging. Then each student received a small piece of round naval brass and a piece of flat aluminum bar so that they could learn how each metal moves via the hammer and anvil.
Part way through the assignment we had the pleasure of watching demonstrations from Andrew Meers @mr.meers as he was a visiting artist in Metals and Sculpture. Needless to say, we’re were highly inspired by his work. Students had the choice to use which ever material they wanted for the final spoon and some even used both pieces. It was a noisy first half of the semester but the end results were worth the effort.
Thanks to @rkedinger and @mr.meers for being in inspiration for us to try and achieve something worthy of their work.
Stay tuned for the ice cream scoops we made for the final project.
Work shown by:
Zach Holliday
Sean Hiemenz
Sara Iskrzycki
Sandy Zufall
Natalia Barskevicius
Leo Wilkie
Kailyn Sager
Jade Freeman
Grace Reaves
Grace Guevarra
Evelyn Summers
Ella Walter
Alex Hauser
Abby Poling
A Poem for Springtime Mowin’
The winter is over, the green’s poking out,
Self-worth and hard labor is what it’s about!
I fire up the mower to start the new year,
With a rattle and hum and a grind of the gear.
A whiff of old gas and hydraulic fluid,
A dash of thick oil…yes, the engine is brewin’.
I step on the velke, I fire up the beast,
And the smell of cut grass is an olfactory feast.
I drive in a circle, a loop-de-loop track,
Then I turn the machine and I drive it right back.
And oh, I am flooded with so much to do!
In the time of one lap, I’ve planned out a year or two!
I’ve mentally built a whole barn and a shed,
While riding this mower and scratching my head.
I’m trapped on this ride, I can’t jump off or flee,
But my thoughts are unspooling and wildly free.
In one single lap ‘round the blooming apple tree,
I’ve fixed the whole world, and the hero is me!
I zip by the pond near the railroad-tie edge,
Where the tadpoles all scatter away from the ledge. The big hungry bass have come out from the deep, And the minnows are darting…they’re playing for keeps!
They hide in the wood just to dodge the big fish,
As I ride by and leave them with a grassy green swish.
Past the rusted old Fords sitting out in the lot,
Near the slow-trickling spring by the back of the shop.
And when it’s all finished, oh, what a delight!
The stripes on the lawn are a beautiful sight.
It’s an obvious craft, it’s a job cleanly done,
A banner of hard-working pride in the sun.
Now surely somebody will gasp and complain,
“You’re killing the habitat! Have you no brain?!
The poor little critters! You’re mowing their home!
They’ll cry and they’ll holler and spit out seafoam.
But hush, little critics, and please calm your fears,
You haven’t looked into my backyard in years!
The back is a jungle, an overgrown mess,
Where the deer and the bears and the bumblebees press.
It’s a towering wildlife resort to just roam.
So I count it a blessing, this start of the spring,
To witness new life, hear the meadowlarks sing.
To have a good yard, and a task, and a goal,
And the wonderful gift of some space for the soul.
Friday at the SNAG x Detroit Conference features a full day of demonstrations, lectures, and conversations across three sessions:
10:30–11:15 AM (Session One)
11:30 AM–12:30 PM (Session Two)
1:45–2:45 PM (Session Three)
Each session includes concurrent programs, so you can build your day around what draws you in. All sessions will be recorded and available to attendees after the conference.
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Featured Friday Programming: Session Three (more on our website!) 👇
Aaron Decker (@aaron_decker_studio ) | Year over Year - A Professional Artist's Take // Gabriel Craig (@gabrielcraig_ of @smithshopdetroit ) | The Ironwork of Detroit (Talk)
Frankie Flood (@fflood ) | Print, Pack, Pour: Sand Casting with 3D Printed Patterns (Demo)
Sarah Loch-Test (@sarahlochtest ) | Creating Depth in Enamel Imagery (Demo)
