Programming and classes
 
2008 Flatirons Mineral Club Annual Gem & Mineral Show

Boulder County Fairgrounds Exhibit Building, 9595 Nelson Rd., Longmont, CO

December 12-14, 2007
Fri. 10-6, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-4

 

This year's show will feature programming, demonstrations, and classes throughout the weekend.
As they are arranged, they will be posted here, as will a schedule of events as the show date approaches.

 

See program and class schedule

 

Kids' Day (Friday, 11a.m.-2:30 p.m.) – Field trips by area elementary students and home-school students, with special activities. Free admission for participating students, teachers, parents, & bus drivers.

 

Ongoing throughout the weekend: Childrens' wheel, and kids' dig sites, mineral identification by members of the Flatirons Mineral Club, demonstrations of lapidary, beading, faceting and other crafts by club members and various other artisans.

 

Programs

 

Alien Volcanoes  (11-12:30 Saturday) – Artist and science writer Michael Carroll will guide you on a journey to some of the solar system's most violent and dramatic sites, from ancient volcanoes of Mars and Venus to the super-chilled geysers of Saturn's moon Enceladus. Copies of his books will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation.

 

Colorado Gemstones (11-noon Sunday) – Geologist Pete Modreski from the U.S. Geological Survey will show and tell you what gemstones are to be found in Colorado, and where to find them.

 

Faking It and Making It Better (1-2 Sunday) – It's real...or is it? Gemstones have been "improved," substituted, and made by human beings throughout history. Geologist and jewelry designer Caren Johannes will  give a quick overview of the most common treatments and substitutes, necessary information for any knowledgeable gem purchaser.

 

Flint Knapping Demonstrations (Saturday & Sunday) – Demonstration of the ancient tool-making technique by Bob Patten.

 

Gold Panning (Saturday & Sunday) – Demonstrations and hands-on instruction for children in the art of panning for gold by members of the Rocky Mountain Prospectors and Treasure Hunters Club.

 

UV Room Exhibit – See what a difference ultraviolet light makes on certain rocks and minerals. 30-minute sessions: Times will be posted at the show.

 

Classes

Signup sheets will be at the admissions desk. Fees are to be paid directly to the instructor.

 

 

Wire-Wrap Pendant (Cabochon) (1-3:30 Saturday) – Beginners' instruction in wire-wrap. Limited to 10 students. Students are asked to bring a cabochon. (If a student buys his or her stone at the show and shows Caren the receipt, she will donate $5 to the club scholarship fund.) All other tools and materials will be provided. Cost: $30. Instructor: Caren Johannes. 
 

 

Instructors/Demonstrators/Speakers

 

 

Michael Carroll is an artist and science writer. He has written or illustrated for such clients as National Geographic, Scientific American, NASA, Smithsonian, TIME, Sky & Telescope, and many other publications throughout the world. He was a featured lecturer at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science earlier this year, and was artist guest of honor at the 2008 science fiction convention, MileHiCon 40. He has written almost 20 science books.

 

Caren Johannes is a professional geologist, wire artist, jewelry designer, and co-proprietor of Amethyst Rose. She is an experienced rockhound, a frequent program presenter for Denver-area clubs, makes wire-wrap jewelry for a number of dealers, and teaches wire-wrap classes for Desert Gems in Lakewood, the City of Westminster, and others.

 

Pete Modreski is Geologist for Outreach and Education with the USGS in Denver. He has taught continuing education classes on many topics for The Colorado School of Mines. He co-authored Minerals of Colorado, published in 1997, and is past-president of the Colorado Chapter of the Friends of Mineralogy.

 

Bob Patten is an award-winning expert flint knapper and author from Lakewood. He is the proprietor of Stone Dagger Publications.

 

The Rocky Mountain Prospectors and Treasure Hunters Club is a group for prospectors and treasure hunters in Colorado and surrounding states. They meet monthly between Loveland and Fort Collins.

 

 

To suggest a class, speaker, or other programming, please contact Emily Epstein.

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Updated 12/6/08