One lucky blacksmith

We just got back from a long trip.  Our first stop was the Saltfork Craftsman Artist-Blacksmith Association Conference in Perry, Oklahoma. 

This was our third year of attending. This time I bought one ticket (ONE for $2.00) for their much coveted tool box raffle.  I did not tell my blacksmith that I had purchased the ticket. I purchased it about 5 PM and then we left for dinner. The raffle drawing was at the beginning of their fundraiser auction about 7 PM. 

I did not have internet connection that night, or I would have seen on Facebook that I had won. 

On Sunday morning we arrived back at the conference. Shortly after arriving I received a phone call from Diana Davis telling me I had won!

It's a beautiful box!  It was loaded with some awesome tools. So I generously gave the tools to my blacksmith. I think the tool box is mine!  I can see quilt fabric, magazines, books, and so much more in there! 

The demonstrator was the talented Clay Spencer. 

Just look at the next few pictures to see how talented he is!

 (This chest is small, about 6 inches long, 4-5 inches tall.)

The base of a table lamp.

 Grill work.

A beautiful door knocker. 

As usual it was a great conference!

The last show of the year . . .

Munichburg 2013

We had a new location this year. It seemed to have had more foot traffic and turned out good for us. 

 The blacksmith is keeping dry while forging.  Several showers came and went. 

However, the rain didn't seem to affect the crowd. 

We now have a "little" store set up in our basement.  If you want to shop, just give us a call.  Remember, Christmas is coming sooner than you expect!

Another show

 The blacksmith at work.

Our booth!

The grands came to help out!

If you came and saw us at the Heritage Festival, we appreciated it. Perhaps you saw something you wanted but didn't purchase.  Next weekend you will have another chance as we will be in Jefferson City at the Munichburg Festival. Hope to see you there!

Getting ready!!

The blacksmith has two really big shows coming up soon. 

Come see us in Columbia Missouri at the Heritage Festival. Sept 21st and 22nd. 

Then September 28 come see us at Old Munichburg on the southside of Jefferson City. 
We will be there from 10 to 6.

See you soon!!

Hamilton Steam Engine show 2013

Hamilton Steam Engine show is always enjoyed by members of the Blacksmith of Missouri Association (BAM)

Bernie uses Bob's really neat forge.

Phil's DePew hammer is always a hit!  Pun intended!

Bernie and another long time member Dan, examine something closely.

Phil and Karen each work on their own projects.

Ken, Phil and several others worked on a tool for the wood box on a steam engine. 

Here John Allen with his steam engine. He loved his fire tool. 

 Phil and Margie once again made all the BAMmers homemade ice cream.

Bob stands by as Matthew  tried out Bob's forge. I so should have gotten a picture of the chimney. It is topped with a gold crown!

Ken examines his just awarded ice cream spoon.

The blacksmiths dip in!

The Osage Bluff residents enjoyed the ice cream too.

Our host Phil and Margie were lucky enough to get a bowl too.

If you missed this show, put it on your calendar for next year. It's always a good time, good friends, good food, and good weather. 

July BAM meeting at Malta Bend

The July BAM meeting was held in Malta Bend on July 13th, at Doug Clemons shop.

We arrived the evening before and helped with a few last minute details. Doug already had his shop ready to go, including lots of coolers full of ice cold drinks for the expected heat wave.

 The chairs filled up early. Total attendance was over 60.

Bernie was the demonstrator. He demoed 18th century pipe tongs, for lighting clay pipes and an 18th century skewer holder and skewer set.  Here "Striker Bob" helps Bernie out. No wait, that is "Bobby Bob"!

Don Nichols showcases his flowers with his jar vase holder.

The trade item was a camp fire poker. 

Nancy and Doug served pulled pork from Smith's Food Bank in Slater Missouri. Yum, Yum!!!

 Lunch was enjoyed by all.

After lunch, blacksmith/sewing machine repair man extraordinaire Phil worked on Osage Bluff Quilter's vintage Elna machine.

 Also after lunch, the business meeting was held.

Ned Digh presented Mike Gentzsch and Ken Jansen with the golden screw award. They had both recently received bodily injures through "interesting" circumstances and survived. 

After the meeting Phil demonstrated his refurbished, rebuilt Singer leather sewing machine. He forged all the iron work for the table and added a wooden top. 

BAM meetings are always such a great time; good fellowship, good food, and good friends.  

Blacksmithing at John C. Campbell Folk School

We spent the last two weeks at John C. Campbell folk school.  

What an amazing two weeks it was. 

This is the newest part of the shop built 4 years ago. 

Jerry Darnell of Mill Creek Forge taught an 18th century pipe smoking accessories class the first week that we were there. 

Here are the items that my blacksmith made. 

A good shot of him hard at work. 

Bob Alexander, a fellow Missouri blacksmith, works at one of the 14 forges in this beautiful building. 

The shop was a timber frame project made on site. I love the anvils carved into the beams. 

The Paul Garrett tool room. If it's not there, you probably don't need it. 

 This shot shows several smiths hard at work. 

Week number 2 was taught by Bob Alexander, with my blacksmith being the assistant instructor. It had 6 women and 6 men, some of whom had never even started a fire before.  The class was titled "Flowers in Metal".  Everyone started by making tulips. From there it was pretty open, from day lilies, cattails, daffodils, irises, even a trillium!

Show and tell at the end of the week showcased their work. The instuctors worked extra hard with such a big class, but I bet they are ready to go back in a heart beat.