Metalsmiths' Symposium (MSS)

This page is about the series of events known as the "Metalsmiths' Symposium". If you have a suggestion of something that should be added to this page, please contact the Webminister at webminister@ekmg.eastkingdom.org.

The Metalsmiths' Symposium is a weekend event dedicated to the metal arts - all of them! Blacksmithing, whitesmithing, cold forging, casting, jewelry and lapidary work, glasswork of all kinds (lampworking, blown glass, and stained glass to name a few), plus other arts like tool making and sharpening and shop safety. Also included are dyeing, herbalism, candlemaking, woodworking, pottery, perfumery, calligraphy and illumination, embroidery....if it involves metal, fire, or tools, MSS tries to have a class on it!

Even though the MSS web pages are on the EKMG website, the Guild is not "in charge" of the MSS's. We volunteer at them, have lots of fun at them, support them by teaching and encouraging others to come and teach and take classes, and instigate lots of evil metal fun at them, but the Autocrat of the event comes from the hosting Barony / Shire. We figured that having a "central location" for MSS information helps people find it, especially people from other Kingdoms - there's only one URL to bookmark for all the MSS's. Come and enjoy and have fun with us!

MSS7 Information

Metalsmiths' Symposium 7 "A" will be held Oct 17-19, 2008, in the shire of Myrkfaelinn, AEthelmearc.

If you want to attend, or need specific event details, please see the event announcement for more information.

Metalsmiths' Symposium 7 "B" will be held in Chicago (Midrealm) on Columbus Day weekend.

Metalsmiths' Symposium 7 "C" was held in Calontir on Labor Day weekend.

Attendee Information (So, You Want to Come to an MSS?)

What to bring:

Garb made of natural fibers - linen, leather, wool, cotton - that you don't mind getting dirty, burned, and wet all at once. Synthetic fibers melt, while natural fibers only char, so they're the best things to wear at fiery classes.
Your tool kit(s), if you have them - but please mark the kits with your badge, maker's mark, or initials to prevent tool confusion! It's even a good idea to mark your tools (a Dremel is good for this, but the paint pens sold at craft stores work well too).
Safety glasses - if you have them, bring them. If you don't, you should have them.
Garb for all seasons - most of the MSS's have been cold weather, so bring layers of garb, and your cloak!
Basic feast gear - plate, cup, bowl, spoon, fork, knife, napkin. You don't want your good gear to get grungy from the classes, so pack basic and light (if you have them - if not, we'll try to be careful! ;-) )
Bring a cup, goblet, or mug you can keep with you all day - ya gotta keep hydrated, even if it is cold as...um...blazes?
Cold-weather bedding (I bring two thick blankets, as well as sheets, pillow, *and* I throw my cloak on top!) There are heated cabins, so no beds and tents are needed unless you really want to.
Check the requirements of the classes you want to take, and if you can, bring the requested tools / supplies

Teaching and Taking Classes at MSS

class scheduling tool

webminister (at) ekmg (dot) eastkingdom (dot) org

Coming soon: link to teacher fill-in form

Autocrat Information (So, You Want to Autocrat an MSS?)

Interested in hosting a Metalsmiths' Symposium? Check out a list of requirements that you'll need to plan for.

Want to be involved in planning the next event? You might want to join the MSS_Planning mailing list.

For planning purposes, here's a list of the Weather Conditions at previous years' events.

For more information while planning an MSS, check out the archives below.

Archives - Previous MSS's

Event	Dates	Location: Real World (SCA)	Classes	Food	Pictures	Stories	Event Announcement	Event Flyer	Pennsic Ad	Business Card
MSS1	10/4-6/2002	Sutton, MA (Canton of Aschehyrst, Barony of Quintavia, East Kingdom)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	announcement announcement (orig)
MSS2	10/24-26/2003	Rochester, NY (Barony of Thescorre, Kingdom of AEthelmearc)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	announcement announcement (orig)		A&S ad
MSS3	11/12-14/2004	Ft. Loudon, PA (Shire of Montevale, East Kingdom)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	announcement announcement (orig)	(coming soon)	PI ad PI ad (orig)	card
MSS4	10/7-9/2005	Salt Point, NY (Shire of Frosted Hills, East Kingdom)	classes	food	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	announcement announcement (orig)	flyer	PI ad (coming soon)	card
MSS5	10/27-29/2006	Salt Point, NY (Shire of Frosted Hills, East Kingdom)	classes	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	announcement (orig)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)
MSS6	10/19-21/2007	Glen Iron, PA (Shire of Abhainn Ciach Ghlais, AEthelmearc)	classes	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	announcement	(coming soon)	(coming soon)	(coming soon)

Do you have any PHOTOS taken at a Metalsmiths' Symposium? Would you be willing to share them here? If so, please contact the webminister at webminister@ekmg.eastkingdom.org. Thanks!