Progressive Craft Engagement

Conducts a road clean-up twice a season, participates in a clean-up at Celia’s Garden once a season, and offers scholarships to graduating local students.

Conducts weekly general orientations for new members and mandatory shop-specific orientations for metalsmithing, lapidary, and faceting to ensure safe and proper use of equipment.

Organizes various social activities for members throughout the year, including a monthly pancake breakfast, Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners, desert cookouts, and participation in local parades.

Provides a wide range of classes and instruction in gem and mineral arts, including lapidary, metalsmithing, faceting, opal cutting (lab-grown, natural, and triplets), knapping, stone carving, steel knife making, leatherwork, glass fusing, wire wrap, beading, bead making, and basket weaving, catering to beginner to intermediate levels.

Schedules weekly rockhounding trips and bi-weekly ATV/Side by Side trips for members, with temporary membership options available for participation under club insurance.

Operates and maintains fully equipped facilities including a lapidary shop, metal shop, opal room, and general classroom (Craft Barn) for various gem and mineral arts such as lapidary, casting, metalsmithing, faceting, opal cutting, and glass fusing.

Sells various types of opal, including simulated, Mexican, Spencer (Idaho), Ethiopian, and Australian opal, to students during classes.

Organizes social functions for members through a dedicated committee and promotes education in lapidary, silversmith, and jewelry crafts as part of ongoing club programming.

Provides "open" club time and studio access, including Metal Clay Open Studio and Dichroic Glass Workshops, where members can work on personal projects with instructor support and use of club tools and equipment.

Organizes club activities through a nine-member Board of Directors and member-led committees responsible for instruction, events, and facility management.

Operates three well-equipped facilities at the West Center, East Center, and Desert Hills in Green Valley, AZ, including the East Center Studio and Workroom, with specialized equipment such as rock-cutting saws, polishing wheels, and a kiln room for member use.

Maintains retail sales display areas in each lapidary shop and operates a Gift Shop where hand-crafted jewelry and other items made by members are sold to members and the public.

Plans and manages an annual Artisans Festival every November, featuring work from over 100 artisans, through a dedicated committee, continuing a tradition of more than 50 years.

Offers a wide range of low-cost classes and workshops for all skill levels, including beginning lapidary, wire wrapping, silversmithing, metal clay, dichroic glass fusing, soldering, patina application, and chain maille, taught by experienced members with hands-on project completion.