I'm working on putting together a mount making workshop this fall in Austin, TX . If anyone might be interested in teaching this please contact me. Linda Gottfried

Alex Moomey 7/30/15 I'm a beginner mount maker and here's goes at showing my blatant newbie status.  I've been asked to take the task on and have gathered a good deal of information.  We will most build mounts for small objects such as ceramics and glass.  Most things are no larger than a 2'x2'x2' and more so usually half that size. What would be your best suggestion on a beginning instructional video?  And does anyone know of a "starter kit" of small metal rounds, flats, etc at any of the mountmaking supply sources?   Alex Moomey from a mid-sized museum. Philip Brutz 7/30/15 Here is a good video on how to silver solder: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUqFgd56Mkk A good book on metalsmithing: http://www.amazon.com/Complete-Metalsmith-Student-Tim-McCreight/dp/1929565062 The best web site on mountmaking: http://www.conservation-wiki.com/wiki/Mountmaking A good but dated book on mountmaking: http://www.collectioncare.org/mount-making-museum-objects I would recommend taking this course: http://www.campbellcenter.org/#!collections-care-exhibits/cd0h Design and Construction of Mounts for Exhibits Instructors: Earl Lock and Pam Gaible Date: September 1-4, 2015 Early-Bird Registration : $1,175 (Before August 4, 2015) INCLUDES ON-CAMPUS LODGING Regular Registration : $1,225 (After August 4, 2015) INCLUDES ON-CAMPUS LODGING This course covers both theory and hands-on practice of mount making for museum objects. Topics include the designing and fabrication of mounts to protect, support, secure, and exhibit a variety of museum objects and various techniques for using archival materials in mount making. Practicum will include: techniques for braising metals; cutting, bending, and gluing acrylics for the use of various archival barrier materials; and for making fabric covered ethafoam forms. Participants may bring one or two small objects and can retain the mounts they construct for these objects. A good source for supplies: http://www.benchmarkcatalog.com/ My number one source for tools and supplies: http://www.mcmaster.com/# A good source for jewelry tools and supplies: http://www.riogrande.com/ You may want to attend the next Mountmakers forum: http://mountmakersforumcleveland.com/ Philip Brutz Mount Maker Exhibition Production The Cleveland Museum of Art 11150 East Boulevard Cleveland, Ohio 44106-1797 T  216-707-2617 F  216-707-6687 www.ClevelandArt.org Jamie Hascall 7/30/15 Hi Alex, Welcome to the world of mountmaking. It's pretty hard to do better than Philip has on the resources available and I'll second all those recommendations. I will especially recommend the Complete Metalsmith, and feel that Tim McCreight's own website is worth looking at. The new e-book version is a great learning tool.  http://www.brynmorgen.com/CMpro.html The thing I would also suggest is to get used to buying through industrial suppliers. A large part of mountmaking is finding ways of sourcing materials that will help you solve the problems. The McMaster Carr catalog is very useful for discovering pieces of hardware that you never knew existed. The on-line catalog is fine if you know what you're looking for, but I feel that going through a copy of the real paper catalog is a great way to help ideas take shape. The company will not send you one unless you are buying thousands of dollars worth of supplies per year, but your museum's facilities department might have one, or you can get one on eBay. A good company for sourcing smaller quantities of brass and other metals is Online Metals.com . They have no minimums, but prices will get better the more you buy. They are located here in Seattle, but have six warehouses around the country and ship all over.  http://www.onlinemetals.com Epoxy Putties are another useful tool for making custom bases for objects for solid support. Aves Studio is a good source. https://www.avesstudio.com I have a business consulting with museums on mountmaking and exhibit production methods, and training their personnel. I'm happy to assist you and your institution in any way I can. I'm in the process of putting together instructional materials and seminars for mountmaking, but at this time I don't have anything that I can send you. That said, I'd be happy to talk with you and see if I can help out with the project you're preparing for, or with specific recommendations for materials and tool ordering. Best regards, Jamie Hascall Hascall Consulting LLC 6732 1st Ave NW Seattle, WA 98117 206-954-4141

Hello Friends! I wanted to give you all a heads up that Benchmark has announced our dates for our 2019 Mountmaking Courses. We'll be running two classes, the first from June 3-7 and the second from June 18-22. You can read more about it and register here:  https://www.benchmarkcatalog.com/pages/mountmaking-seminar Thanks for your attention! All the best, Emi