We are open as of 11/4 for Evergreen residents from 9 am to Noon. Afternoons must be reserved by Tuesday Noon by e-mailing chuckwernberg@yahoo.com or hankemps@milwpc.com.

You must be trained and approved before you can come and work.  We will spend time training you, if you are interested.  It usually takes about three times for most people to pick up the major ideas and be considered trained, at least to some degree, so they can work independently .  This only means that you do not have to have someone looking over your shoulder all the time, to make sure you are using enough water, rinsing your stones between discs, using the machines correctly, etc. Trained does not mean you can train another person, only that you can work on your own when others are present. This is all part of the agreement between OESC and Evergreen for the safety of all.

Please see the right column for more information on training.

It is also a rule, that at least two trained individuals MUST be present for the shop to be used.  You can not go down and use it on your own, ever. Even the trainers can not do so.

If you are interested in being trained, and this applies to everyone, even people who already KNOW how to use lapidary equipment, you need to let me know. Please read the column to the right for details on training.

I know it sounds like a lot of rules, but we need to protect the people who use the shop, the machines and our use of the space Evergreen provides for us.  The machines are expensive, and discs need to be protected from abuse so we don't have to replace them needlessly.  With care, they last quite a while.  We will teach you all of this, and then, if you decide later to buy your own equipment, you will know how to care for it properly.  Most of us have our own eventually, or at least some of the pieces.

If you are interested, please email me , and I will update you on our current hours and availability for training.

I hope this helped.  Thanks for coming to our show and checking out our web site.

-- Chuck Wernberg

These beauties were made by O.E.S.C. member

Don Coates

You can learn this, too:

LET’S BEGIN

We charge $30 for training in a very small group.  You will work with an instructor three different times for several hours each time. We then ask you to donate $5.00 per class and bring or buy it from our selection in the slab cabinet (all different types of stone and many prices, mostly very inexpensive).   We do NOT cut stone into slabs for people at this point, so slab must be used.  This fee may be raised in the near future and the fee may be more for non-club members.

Wear old clothing as they may become soiled due to polishing compounds, etc. If your hair is long, tie it back and if you’re wearing long sleeves, roll them up or have them tight at the wrist. An apron or smock works well.

We will first teach you how to safely use the equipment. You will start with a piece of stone and learn to use a template to mark the shape on the stone, to use the trim saw to rough cut it, and how to grind and polish it. Once you have achieved these steps, you can continue in whatever avenue of the hobby you choose.

We maintain a friendly and caring atmosphere for all. All ages from the public, the Evergreen Retirement Community, and the Oshkosh Earth Science Club are represented and work together. We help each other if assistance is needed and share our knowledge and daily events.

We are always open to suggestions and ideas. We want this Lapidary Workshop to serve you and your interests. Interaction and visitors are always welcome. From time to time you may be asked to display some of the items you have made so others can witness your accomplishments.

Chuck Wernberg, Dolly Hollander, LeeAnn Fronzak and Ann Voges are presently Instructors. We welcome those with knowledge of maintenance of equipment (saws and machines). All work on a volunteer basis in a non-profit environment. Professional instructors are hired for teaching various special aspects of our hobby