Missing Rio Grande's Catalog In Motion!

Probably the saddest change to my Tucson Gem Show Schedule this year is the loss of the Catalog In Motion Show from Rio Grande!


One of the things I do to get ready for the upcoming trek to the desert, is to organize photos from the previous year and set up albums for the coming year. While organizing I came across these photos.


I have many happy memories of the Catalog In Motion Show and the classes I took from the fabulous professionals that Rio gathers to teach...see my write up of the 2008 Hydraulic Press workshop here.


During my organizing I found these shots of the amazing Kate Wolf at the bench at the 2010 Catalog In Motion Show.


From Rio In Motion:
Kate Wolf—Kate has been carving wax and making jewelry for 31 years. She has been teaching for 21 years and has a school in Portland, Maine. Kate won MJSA's Innovation Award for her Wolf™ Tools and Wolf Wax™ by Ferris. Kate is a former Director of Production and master modelmaker for the Franklin Mint and holds a BFA in Metalsmithing and Jewelry from Tyler School of Art.   www.katewolfdesigns.com and www.wolftools.com



For those that may not be familiar with the Catalog In Motion Show - it was exactly what the name implies...the Rio Grande Catalog - in person - in a room where you can try out the tools and equipment and most importantly discuss their use with the clever people that invented or manufacture them.  GENIUS!!!

Last year I started working more with wax carving so one of the things I wanted to look at was the Wolf Wax Tools Kit...what I got was beyond my wildest dreams.


Kate Wolf herself sat down with me and with wax in hand went through what she designed each tool to do. It was a memory I will treasure forever...and do you think I made the purchase?  Of Course!


So I am one of the ones hoping that Catalog In Motion will one day return - even in a smaller version or as part of another show.   


For those of you who are missing the Rio Grande Workshop Schedule - great news!  Stop in and take a class on your way to Tucson!



 Rio In Motion is their new program and the inaugural session is January 26th - 31st in Albuquerque, NM.

• About Rio In Motion

• Rio In Motion is a part of our continued commitment to put the very best of products, service and know-how directly into your hands. It’s a unique opportunity for you to peek behind the scenes at Rio, to discover the latest innovations in products and equipment, and to get hands-on instruction from some of our favorite experts. Rio Grande is always in motion. Come along for the ride!

No Catalog In Motion From Rio In Tucson 2011!

Those of you who have been attendees at Rio Grande's Catalog In Motion in Tucson received a letter this week from CEO Alan Bell.

"As you are a prior attendee at Catalog In Motion, I wanted you to be among the first to know that after 23 consecutive years, we won't be taking Catalog In Motion back to Tucson in 2011.

Our first Catalog In Motion^® back in 1988 created a whole new way for you to see, touch and learn about jewelry-making products. The show has been hugely successful because of you and all the others who joined us in Tucson each year. We are grateful for your past attendance and hope you got as much out of Catalog In Motion^® in Tucson as we did.

While we’ll no longer be taking Catalog In Motion^® to Tucson, we’ll be bringing Catalog In Motion^® to you every day of the year, any time of day.

As new technology continues to stride forward, we find ourselves in an ideal position to extend our availability to our customers worldwide. We can allocate the very same resources which made Catalog In Motion^® so successful—expertise, passion and commitment to education—in a way that will ignite your collaborative spirit and nourish our industry like never before.

Our plans include the continued growth of our educational library, including instructional videos and creative projects that you can access whenever the need arises. We’ll produce webinars and visual training demonstrations that will be available to you any time the creative spark hits. Internet-based user groups for our high-tech equipment and specialized lines will invite and encourage collaboration and innovation. You will be able to gain a wealth of knowledge, network with colleagues and try new processes in the comfort of your own studio—you could be watching Phil Poirier’s Bonny Doon hydraulic press demonstration over your morning coffee while a fellow jeweler across the globe watches at the end of his day.

We’ll continue to offer the support and educational opportunities you’ve come to rely on. Get hands-on training at any one of our jewelry-making classes or events, or drop in anytime right here at our Albuquerque facility; we’ll be featuring the best experts available. Just a few weeks ago, Argentium^® Silver expert, Ronda Coryell, joined us in Albuquerque to teach fusing and granulation! And of course, you can get live support for the tougher challenges by calling our expert Technical Support Team that boasts more than 15 decades of combined experience. And while we won’t be in Tucson, we’ll still offer special-pricing promotions on select items during the Tucson Gem & Mineral show.

We thank you for your prior participation in Catalog In Motion^®. We’re excited to move forward with you, to be a growing part of the creative spirit that draws us all together and continues to move our industry forward.

Whether you come visit us here in Albuquerque or on the web, we’ll be here for you with products, service and know-how every day of the year."

What Rio Grande plans is to take advantage of the new technology available to produce instructional videos, webinars and visual training demonstrations as well as Internet based user groups and a continuation of live workshops in their Albuquerque workshops.

I have to say that this makes me very sad - I understand the costs of putting on a show the size of the Catalog In Motion is tremendous - but I personally was a convert to Rio following the 2008 CIM - I was able to get hands on time with the larger equipment as well as the opportunity to talk first hand with the people who create and invent the tools.

The one-on-one between you and the tool or the demonstrator - the relationship building...this is something that a video can't do.

So while I am sad today - I expect to see a change in these plans in 2012...this is such a unique concept and the results should be measurable...while I am wishing you the best Rio - I will miss your show immensely!

Catalog In Motion 2010 - Registration OPENS!!!!

Catalog In Motion® class registration opens Wednesday at 10 a.m. MST

Showroom open Feb. 5–8, 2010 Classes held Feb. 1–8, 2010 Learn it: Get your hands on the tools that will change the way you work (and play). Love it: Challenge yourself by learning new techniques. Live it: Reach for your potential. *Just attending the show or free seminars? No need to register. Register for classes now.

Catalog In Motion 2010 - This is where I will be...

OK - it looks like I will once again be spending a lot of time at the Rio Grande "Catalog In Motion"

WHY????

First - because you see all the great products that Rio sells along with, in some cases, the people that make them! Imagine getting an overview on the Hydraulic Press from Phil Poirier or Dave Reynolds - the folks that build the press!

A year ago I took the 2 day workshop with Dave you can find it on my blog at Day 1 and Day 2.

Second - the FREE Seminars - Here are just some of the highlights:

Shaping Metal With Hammers with Bill Fretz

Argentium® Silver: Past, Present and Future with Peter Johns (Peter Johns is Technical Director for Argentium® International Ltd.)

Soldering Secrets with Blaine Lewis

Wax Carving with Kate Wolf

Pavé Setting with Brad Simon

Marketing in a Changing World with Marlene Richey

Innovative Techniques with the Hydraulic Press with G. Phil Poirier

...talk about learning at the feet of masters in the field! a complete list of Seminars is available.

Third - the incredible Class Schedule - includes training in/on the following:

Hydraulic Forming Enameling

Metal Forming Soldering

Chain Maille Metal Clay

Microfold Brake Glass

Stone Setting Wax

Rolling Mill Flex Shaft

...hopefully the details will be posted soon!

Catalog In Motion 2010 - Rio Announces Dates and Seminars!

Save the Date!

February 5–8, 2010

Learn it: Get the inside scoop from trusted jewelry experts.

Love it: Have fun with new tools, equipment and opportunities.

Live it: Bring your ideas to life.

Friday-Sunday, 9am to 6pm
and Monday, 9am to 4pm at the

Tucson East Hilton during the
Tucson Gem & Mineral Show

ONLINE REGISTRATION OPENS ON NOVEMBER 11, 2009 AT 10:00am MST.

See the CIM Schedule At-A-Glance

Rio Grande's Catalog In Motion...

Rio's Catalog In Motion
Hilton Tucson East
7600 E. Broadway Blvd., Tucson

That is exactly what this show is....it is the Rio Grande Catalog - come to life!!!

This is the only place I know of where you can talk to the people that build the tools you use in your jewelry making and try the tool prior to purchase!

Thinking about getting a Bonny Doon press? Phil Poirer and Dave Reynolds will be on hand teaching class offering a free seminar and on the showroom floor to answer your questions.

Kate Wolf demonstrating her Wolf Wax Carving Tools, Bill Fretz will do a seminar on the use of Fretz Hammers and Stakes...these are free seminars and the presenters are always generous about the time they spend answering questions.

Have you ever wanted to try a Laser Welder? PulsePoint™ Laser Welders will be on-site.

PUK ArcWelding - PUK's philosophy? A seam should never be seen. But expert Robert Sepiashvili should be, and you can see him at Catalog In Motion®!

Rio's newest, most exciting, can't-wait-to-show-it-off product line? Uroboros Glass in everything from frit and noodles to sheet and confetti for flameworking, casting and fusing (not to mention, all the tools and equipment you'll need).

Talk with Swanstrom representative, Tim Sheriff, right there at the Swanstrom booth; he'll help you find the plier that feels right for the task at hand.

Silver Jewelry that doesn't tarnish? Cynthia Eid will be in the ballroom to answer your questions about Argentium Silver.