A Bit of Relief at SNAG Chicago

Rio’s conference mini-catalog of my tools, videos, and related products I use for my techniques

It was standing room only at my Eastern repousse stage demonstration at SNAG Chicago! Thanks to everyone who attended and for asking such great questions. I truly enjoy showing others what this sculptural, game-changing technique can do. I also loved talking with everyone who stopped by my bench at Rio Grande’s booth in the Vendor Room. I must have done over 200 mini demos, but it’s so energizing to see people excited about the possibilities that I could have kept going for 200 more.

I have seen and been part of the SNAG conference from so many different perspectives from presenter to Education Dialogue organizer to Links Project Coordinator to spouse of a board member to volunteer staff member. Being part of the Vendor Room was a whole new perspective. Staying in mostly one place and alternating hammering with talking literally made the conference fly by!

Demonstrating Eastern repousse at Rio's booth at SNAG Chicago, photo by Celina Zisman — Demonstrating Eastern repousse to students from La Salle College Vancouver at Rio’s booth at SNAG Chicago, photo by Celina Zisman

I was thrilled to attend the SNAG Lifetime Achievement Award presentation for James Wallace, metalsmith and former Founding Director of The National Ornamental Metal Museum (now The Metal Museum) as well as hear Albert Paley’s presentation. Chris Balch’s presentation Making a Living as an Artist: While Covering your A$$ was considered by many people to be one of the most dynamic talks of the whole conference. Of course, I agree, which has nothing to do with the fact that Chris is also my best friend and husband.

Chris Balch during his talk, How to Make a Living as an Artist while Covering Your A$$, SNAG Chicago, mainstage

Big giant thanks to Rio Grande for inviting me to demonstrate my tools and videos this year along with Tim Sheriff and Erin Swanstrom of Swanstrom Tools, Bill Fretz of Fretz Tools, Jason Davis from Orion Welders, Brooke Barlow from Bonny Doon Engineering, Rio Tech Team, metalsmith, and author John Sartin, RioPro rep Cathy Contreras, Events Coordinator Mikel Garrett, Product Manager Diana Montoya, and Tech Team member and CAD guru Scott Bradford, who gave the mainstage conference presentation, You’ve Lost That Handcrafted Feeling: Heart and Soul in a CAD World. – It’s enough to make me seriously contemplate getting a Nomad.

With Galatea Kontos at Rio's booth at SNAG Chicago, photo by Maria L. Lendsey @teamariastudios — With Galatea Kontos at Rio’s booth at SNAG Chicago, photo by Maria L. Lendsey @teamariastudios

Chasing a fish at Rio's booth at SNAG Chicago, photo by Maria L. Lendsey @teamariastudios — Chasing a fish at Rio’s booth at SNAG Chicago, photo by Maria L. Lendsey @teamariastudios

The folks at Rio and the vendors they work with really are incredible. Imagine being in a crowd of like minded people all happily talking shop; now imagine adding 30 IQ points to everyone involved, and you’ll get the idea. My head was buzzing with the endless possibilities that come from the snippets of tech conversations with talented people who possess remarkable, highly specialized engineering know-how, all getting together and bouncing ideas for fun. It was nerd heaven.

I’ll be teaching a 3-day Eastern Repousse workshop at Nerd Heaven Central, aka Rio Grande’s state-of-the-art, solar powered facility in Albuquerque next month. The class has a waiting list, but if you’re interested, sign up. People often do make it in from the waiting list.