THE BLACKSMITHS’ GUILD OF THE POTOMAC, INC.IN COOPERATION WITH THE GREENBELT DAY WEEKEND

PRESENTS

BLACKSMITHING DAYS1986

SATURDAY MAY31 SUNDAY JUNE 11 OAM-4PM

ON THE ROOSEVELT CENTER MALL, CENTERWAY ROADGREENBELT, MARYLAND

EXHIBIT OF BLACKSMITHING ARTS AND TOOLS—UTOPIA THEATERCONTINUOUS DEMONSTRATIONS OF THE ART OF SMITHING

DAILY AUCTIONS OF HAND FORGED IRONWORKSWAP, BUY AND SELL BLACKSMITHING TOOLS

ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN AND BEGINNERS

4r

• •

,•

SPONSORED BY THE GREENBELT RECREATION DEPARTMENT

THE NEWSLETTEROP THE BL.ACKSMITHS G(JiLD CF THE POTOMAC. NC.

1\PRI I 19136VOL. Viii No. 2

‘rhc 131 j t1—is ( Jc1 cf t1ac i>c, crii

3.986 13 C, r c 31’ L) r t C) 1’

*BRpD SILBERIIERG. PRESiDENT (301)468-1362*TINA CHISENA, VICE PRESIDENT (301)933-0676

*E1) JACKSON. SECRETARY (301)549-2829*TOM COKER, TREASURER (301)942-8573

*DAN BOONE (301)474-2967CHARLIE ABEL (301)253-4539ADRIAN CLARY (703)836-4982

• TED COFFEY (301)424-4068KARL SAALE3ACH (703)548-8752

*Executive Committee Member

c’’Ir’1 I ‘E13iE Cl-IA I ir1I31’J

BUI LDING:

CORPORATION:

LIBRAR\’:

MEMBERSHIP:

NEWSLETTER:

PROGRAM (Friday):

HOSPIT/\L1TY:

DOOR PRIZE:

DEMONSTRATIONS:

EDUCATION:

BLACKSMITH DAYS:

HOTLINE:

SPECIAL EVENTS:

Tom Copas

Fay LeCompte

Hay ticC lure

Torn Coker

Judy Boone

Dan Boone

Ed Jackson

Tom Coker

Chris Worsley

Tina Chisena

Tom Copas

Tom Soles

Tina Chisena

-ooo

—11834)

620-9515

430-4 ‘/35

942-8573

4’/4 -296’?

4’/4 -2967

54 9-2829

942-8573

960-9030

933-0676

918—8886

686-9010

933-0676

REPRINT POLICY- Material from this newsletter may be reprinted withoutwritten permission provided credit is given.

2

Hello Everybody!

Are you ready? Winter is about over (we hope!) and Spring is about to burstforth!

As you can see from the cover page, the Blacksmiths’ Guild will be bursting forthalong with Spring. It’s time to make your plans to participate in Blacksmithing Days 1986.A lot of work has already been done in your behalf, and we hope as many of you as possiblewill be able to actively participate.

This year we are going to try something different - Blacksmithing Days has beencoordinated with the City of Greenbelt’s 49th Anniversary Weekend. A little background incase you are ufami1iar with Greenbelt, MD. Greenbelt was built in 1937 as part ofFranklin Roosevelt’s New Deal. It was one of three towns built with a “green belt” aroundthem. The others are Greendale, WI and Green Hills, OH. Originally built and run by theFederalGovernment, the residents bought the homes themselves in the early 1950’s, today,the original homes are still run by the residents’ cooperative. Although much has changedsince its inception, Greenbelt still retains the small town feeling of the ‘30’s. Numerousevents are planned during this anniversary weekend, part of which this year will includedemonstrations by our group - Please come out and join in the festivities!

Our plans start with demonstrations, of course! We will have several forges setup (if you have a portable we sure could use it!). Hopefully, there will be a major project tobe worked on by numerous members of the group. Other forges will be set up for individualwork, for children to observe, and for those who just want to try their hand at smithing -should 15èIFfteresting. We will also have an area set up for swaping and/or buyingequipment.

There will be a display set up in the Utopia Theater - formerly a movie theater,now the City’s Cultural Arts Center. We are therefore looking for items made by ourmembers, and pictures of items, and/or you working. Please contact Tom Copas or JudyBoone if you have something you would like to contribute.

We also need HELP - Doing the following things: demonstrating, setting upforges and exhibits, manning the forges, monitoring the exhibits, removing all when theweekend is over. Come on, don’t be shy - pitch in and help - you can come for an hour, orfor the whole weekend, just COME!!!

We have also made arrangements for a nice catered dinner Saturday evening.Most of the cost will be borne by the Guild. We are asking those who attend to pay thenominal cost of $4.00 for adults, and $2.00 for children under 12. Since the dinner willfixed by others, we must supply an accurate number prior to the actual weekend. We alsofeel it necessary to get the financial work done ahead of time, as much as possible. Pleasefill out the attached form letting us know how you would like to help, and how many ticketsyou will need for dinner. Tickets will be sent to you be return mail as soon as your check isreceived.

Blacksmithing Days Committee

Name Address

_____________________________

City

_________________________State

ZIPI would like to volunteer

to

__________________________________________________

Dinner tickets needed:

________

Adult $4.00

Child @ $2.00TOTAL ENCLOSED:

________

Make check payable to: Blacksmith1sGuild of the PotomacMail check to: Judy Boone, 137 Hedgewood Drive, Greenbelt, MD 20770

Reservations MUST be received NO LATER THAN MAY 1986

UPCOMING EVENTS:Chris Uorsley, Napkin rings

Brad Si lberberg, Creatures

Willard Piggott. Cow Bells

Bill Gichner. Tool Making

BLACKSMITHING DAYS I

Greenbelt, MD

Not Putnam, Questions and answersin the Shop

Fay L.eCompte, Cooking and Meat Forks

No Meeting

Karl Soalbach, History of Iron

Open (Would you like to volunteer?)

ABANA Conference 1986Northern Arizona University. Flagstaff,

Open (It’s your turn!)

Sept. 19 Dan Boone. Animal Heads

Christmas Party

Above is our tentative calendar forl96. As you can see, there is plenty going on.so join n. There is also room for more of youto either demonstrate, give talks and/or slideshows come on share with us. Just call Dan Booneat 4742967 to volunteer. Let’s hear from YOU!!

Apr. 4

Apr. 16

May 2

May 16

May 3iJune 1 j

June 6

June2O

July 4

July 18

Aug. 1

Aug. 13—17

Sept. 5

Mark yourcalendars...

FISH!!

April 4 will be a Swap Night! oec. 5

JOHN C. CAMPBELL FOLK SCHOOL: Bi acksmiti-, School ,Brasstown, NC 28902

May 21—June II :Mark Bokenkamp and Glenn GilmoreJune 15—21 : Glenn Gilmore, Damascus Steel

TURLEY FORGE: The Blacksmith Choreographed. Seeking movement awareness on the

Yellow Brick Road. June 9—28,1986. For further information contact: FrankTurley, Turley Forge,.Rt. 10, Box 88C. Sasnta Fe, NM 87501.

SHAMMER, ANVIL AND FORGE:” the 19th Century Blacksmith Conference sponsored.by

Conner Prairieand Indiana Blacksmiths As’n. Hands on workshop. Contact

Brenda Myers, Conner Prairie, 13400 Allisonville Rd. Nobelsville, IN. .46060-

4499, *317—776—6000.

ALABAMA FORGE COUNCIL BLACKSMITH WORKSHOP AND CONFERENCE: .Sloss Furnaces

-Museum,Birmingham, Al. Apri1 25—2719S6. General. admission $25.00.

Blacksmith course $10.00. Contact.workshop coordinator, Steve Speed, 2429

Kenvil Circle, Birmingham, Al 35243. 1*(205).823 7202..

ERSTER WELTKONGRESS tIER KUNSTSCHMIEDE: May 12—17,1986. Aachen, Germany. For

more information on the Congress and tour, contact: Leonard Mastors,P.O. Box

343, Crompond, N.Y. 10517.******

AMERICAN CRAFT COUNCIL: ART, CULTURE, FUTURE: June 4—7,1986: For further

information contact: American Craft Council, P.O. Box 30756, Oakland, CA.

94604. *41 5—272—0600.****** ****

SOCIETY OF NORTH AMERICAN GOLDSMITHS (SNAG) NATIONAL CONFERENCE; AUGUST 9—12,

Flagstaff, AZ. Northern Arizona University, SNAG Conference and Sculptural

Exhibits on display during ABANA Confernce. For information contact: Joe

Cornett, 2976 N. Carefree Circle, Flagstaff, AZ. 86001.* *** * * * * * *

ARTIST BLACKSMITH ASSOCIATION OF NORTH AMERICA CONFERENCE: August l3th—l7th

Flagstaff, AZ. Northern Arizona University. Contact Conforence Chairman, Bill

Callawy, 3646 W. Lawrence Lane, Phoenix, AZ. 85021.

* ***** * ** *

The following is the 1986 Budget as approved by the Board of Directors for theBlacksmiths’ Guild of the Potomac at their March 14, 1986 meeting.

$ 150.00500.00150.00700.00150.00

1,000.0025.00

150.0030.00

400.00250.0025.00

100.00200.00500.0025.00

200.000

$5,355.00

Schools & SeminarsRafflesDues & MembershipAuctionsAll Other

Total Estimated Income

$1,500.00267.00803.00

2,400.00374.00

$5,344.00

A very important reason forhaving a blacksmith’s guild is toeducate the public (as well as oiliersmiths!) in the art of blacksmithirig.Chris Worsicy. Chairman of theDemonstration Committee, finds thathe has many, mioy more requeststhan he has demonstrators to fillthem.

Therefore, we are askingyour help. Please contact Chrisif you would like to be includedin a list of demonstrators for theGuild. Your help is urgently needed,and will be greatly appreciated.

Chris can be reached at(703)960-9030.

— . —

The Blacksmith Days PublicityChairman. Tom Coker. will alsobe in need of black and whitephotos of your work or you atwork. Start those camerasclicking now!

If we all pitch inwhat skills we possess,year’s event will be theever.

URGENT!! URGENT!! AUCTION ITEMS NEEDED

Brad Silberberg

As you can see from our approved budget, the majority of income thGuild receives comes from the auctions held during Blacksmithing Days.YOUR participation in this is most definitely and urgently needed.Without items donated by YOU, OUR GUILD MEMBERS, there will benothing to auction. If each of you will give ONE item, the auction will be,sure to be a rousing success! You can donate a piece you have made,tools, books, pictures - anything relating to blacksmithing. We needYOUR help!!!!

IncomeExpenditures

PostageFixed AssetsMaterialsSchoolsPrintingNewsletterLibraryRefreshmentsSuppliesLiability InsurancePhoneVA Corporation TaxTransportationAdvertisementBlackmithing DaysSubscriptionsMiscellaneousBuilding Fund

Est. 1986 Expenditures

— • —

DEMONS rRNIoRS NEIDED!

IIIII

President s Message

I would urge alL Guildmembers to start working towardBlacksmith Days 1986. June wilLbe upon us very soon.

The auction at BlacksmithDays supplies approximately 50%of the Guild’s annual budget.Start your projects now, so

this year’s auction will be bigger(and more profitable) than ever!Use your imagination. We don’t

want to have only pot hooks andfire pokers to entice the publicwith.

withthisbest

—. . —

URGENT!! URGENT!!

4

72isit to YLrfen .TorgeOn i’ebruory 16, Cut (1 members

Iii I Ci chner N i ek Vi need,. Barrrnd .1 tidy Boone at tended a gatheringof’ the new Ni d At [antic Smi thsAsscitjon (NASA) at Pete Renzetti ‘sArden Porge in West Chester, PA.

Outs ide, the weather wasco I d and snowy, bu I. inside thecomraderie was warm. Pete gave somesuper demons tra ti uris on na I 1 muk r nqforgo weld irrq eyes for hooks. drawingI onq arid tlr in tapers. He also sharedlets of heiptul hints and advice.Some of the most hel piul were onsequential planning operations beforeyou actually begin work. Por example,if you are making several taperedscrolls, first cut the pieces, theedo your tapering and finally scrolll,fiem al I . ‘I’h is is much more eff ic lenttitan making each scroll individually.

Another tip particularly

for those just learning, was to

use lead for practice. You can eusi lysee where the hammer hit, tuak ing

it easier to get used to the feel

of it. The lead can be melted downarid reshaped to be used ever again.

It was real I y something towatch Pet;e upset the end of oneinch stock and then cleverly shape

a faceted ball arid numerous complexsirap(’s on one or the two Pci icrpower hammers he has just ins La lied.IL was also amazing to watch himclose a hal f opened matchbox withoutfu,irnu rig it at all.

POLO’S ShOp 15 gui to a blend

us’ the new and old - The originalbu I I di eq wit [cu houses the shop wasbuilt in l’145, the front room whichis the display area was built in184’! When Pete bought the place11 years ago there were just a coupleof partial wails left, includingthe area where he now has his forge— the remainder’ of the originalIor’ge was in l.lie sante location!The original blacksmith shop wasrun by a titan named John Di lworth.Ano thor’ building on the propertydates hack to tire 1600’s. To allthis, add 1980’s power hammers andyou have quite a contrast!

The entlius tasm shown by the25 who attended this meeting md iratethat NASA is off to a great st artWe wish them well . My thanks toDon 1’ 1 iI1TIITIO r , NASI\ Pros i dciihis contributions to this article.

Photos courtesy of Wall

5

After short business mee’tings, thefollowing demonstrations and programs wereprovided:

Also on March 7th, Russell Supple demonstrated hisexpertise in cutting with an oxycetelene torch.The display was quite impressive.

çjuita Wieettiuj YLcttvLtLes

On February 21st, Charlie Abelshowed numerous video tapes. Onewas from Williamsburg that wasoriginally shown on a PBS channel.There was also a tape of FreddieHaberman from Czechoslovakia.All were very interesting. Charliehas many more tapes that we hopehe will share with us in the future.

Dan Boone hardat wock I

One of Dan Boone’s fancy hangers

6

AN INVITATIONwould like to personally invite each and every person inter

ested in blacksmithing to attend the 1986 ABANA Conterence.August 13 thru August 17, in Flagstaff, Arizona.

The Conference will be held on the campus of NorthernArizona University.

Only 60 minutes away from the Grand Canyon and manyother attractions in the area. Flagstaff, at an elevation of 7.500teet, has August daytime temperatures averaging 80° to 85°. withoccasional showers and Cool nights.

We have an Outstanding lineup of demonstrators from theUnited Stales and five tOreign countries.

Your conference publicity packet will be mailed soon, somake your plans early to vacation and attend the Conterence.

MEALS AND LODGING

See ya there.Bill Callaway

Conference Chairman

Daily registration tee of S45.00 will include three meals anddemonstration privilegesAll accommodations are double occupancyMeals as follows:

Aug. 13 - dinner onlyAug. 14. 15. 16 - three meals per dayAug. 17 - breakfast only

For more information regarding the 1986 InternationalABANA Conference, Contact:Bill Callaway

Conference Chairman3646 W. Lawrence LanePhoenix. AZ 85021

ABANAARTiST BLACKSMITH ASSOCIATION

OF NORTH AMERICAPRESENTS:

THE 1986 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

AUGUST 13-17Flagstaff, Arizona

Bill Fiorini

DEMONSTRATORSSmokey AdamsKeith AustinCathy BorthwickMike ChishamEric ClausenBill Fiorini.leff FunkToby HickmanRussell JaquaArt Jones

FOREIGN DEMONSTRATORSThe Angel Brothers-MexicoGuy Bell-CanadaRenato Ferrari-ItalyVaclov Jaros-CzechoslovakiaDavid Quinnell-England

REGISTRATION FEES:

Early Registration (participant)After June 30

Early Registration (spouse)After June 30

Claucia McCueTom McLaneJudd NelsonRon SmithDorothy SlieglerRuss SwiderDave ThompsonJim WallaceBob WalschBarry Wheeler

SLIDE AND FILMPRESENTATIONS DY:Art AdamsMike & Steve BondiDan DoleAlbert PaleyWatly Yaler

$110.00S 130.00

$ 75.00$ 95.00

$110.00S 115.00

Early - per personAfter June 30 - per person

Vaclov Jaros

Rick Dirnbar8621 E. Northland Dr.Scoflsdale, AZ 85251

a

Tom McLane

7

S/’op ¶Jip

I recent. I y needed to d r illa “ hole in the tang of a largestriless steel krii le. I foundthat the tang had been hardenedalong with the blade. Standardtwist drills only chattered andsquealed, even at very low rpm’s.I tried heating up the spot. tobe drilled with a torch in anel fort to spot. anneal the areato he drilled. This only seemedto make the problem worse, Irealized that only careful I y

control led complete anneal mgof the tang would soft;en it.(maybe) and I did not want toqo to that extreme for two ho] es.I thought that a harder thanusual drill bit, might do thetrick, so I tried a carbide tippedmason ry d r I I I . [is i nq low rpm’sand cuttinq oil with a new masonryhi t., I was able to quickly drillmy two holes. Great. care mustbe taken, however, not to overheatthe carbide tip. It is veryfragile and merely brazed tothe dri 1] shank. Kxcess turningspeed or pressure can make thecarbide tip come I nose or evencrumble.

This side draft forge was built by Alf Wardin Michigan. Side draft forges are the mostcommon pattern in Europe and offer the advantagethat clinkers settle below the air blast, thusprecluding blowing particles of clinkers onto metalas the US bottom draft forges do.

AIf Ward, formerly Chairman of theSilversmithing and Jewelry Department at Sir JohnCass College of Art in London taught handengraving on metals, August 6 - 10, 1984, at theAppalachian Center for Crafts and provided theabove information.

Adrian Clary

flliformcLtion WtrnteL,

Willard Piggott is looking for information asto how cow bells were made by blacksmithslong ago. Willard will be demonstrating thiscraft during Blacksmithing Days. If you canhelp by supplying answers to any of thefollowing questions it would be greatlyap2reite.

2.

How was the pattern layed out?Did each smith develop his own?How was this design transferred tothe sheet metal stock?

3. How was the cutout âneChisel .. . Hacksaw?

4. The belt bar on some old bells hadthis cross section. Whatwas this stock ca1led’T1d for whatwas it used?

5. The lap of some of the bells wasbrazed.

6. How was the clapper hanger fixed,and when — before forming the bellor after?

7. Some of the old bells I have seenhad a cast iron clapper. Werethese obtained from a mmonsupplier?

-r.’.e 1’Irri

For SaleTug Tuggle spoke with a craftperson at theACC Craft Fair held recently in Baltimore.This person, Ann Krestensen, who is a potter,has some blacksmith items for sale. They arelisted below if any of you are interested.

- 25 pound Kerrihard power hammer $800-$900-. Wallace power bender $500- 4-headed grinder, Kemp Machinery,

Baltimore, MD $400

Ms. Krestensen would like more, but is willingto part with all three items for $1,100. Ifinterested she can be contacted at:

P0 Box 586Placitas, NM 87043Phone - (505)867-2812

New Mexico is far away, however, if you areplanning on attending the ABANA Conferencein Arizona it becomes much closer!!

Brad Si lberherq

8

J3tacksmithmg at Lenlwk sin ‘Irait camp. ‘J3SYLby Randy Sin dL

Ienhoksin ‘trail Ciirnp is one of’ eight.ainps on the G)shiefl Scout. Re.servat ion. I hosilinhTiol’ camp for’ Wish i nc;Lon area by 5’out sCosficii is 1 ociLcd between lox i ig tori trrdStaunton, VA. I ,crthok • si n Tra r I is a backpack uiqc.)flit) Cclix i Stili of riet.WOrk of eight (>111 posts

Lb hi stor i ca and Iii gh adventure themes

I”or’ two nioriths in t.hic sUmmer of I 983I worked irs ,1 Coiinse for at one of thoseoutposts. the FOXF i re Out.pos t.. This outpostis Lasea on the stir jes of Fo. i ire buok.spr tray i rig ii f’e in the Appal ach ion region.The progroni tIre Scouts participate in consrstsnianirily of traditional woodworking and, ofcourse. blacksmithi.nq.

In past. years the program at Roxii rewas ru tire r poor. the too I S OVO I liii, I e weremi n i ma I and tire anvi I was a piece of rail roadroil . The coal was very poor and tire onlysupply of stock WaS rebar. Worst of all. pastCounselors had almost no knowledge of’blaclcsmi thing and even less hands onexperience.

Al] of this was to change, however. I nl’cbriiary 1983 .1 joined the iiiacksmi th • s Cu j Idof the Potomac. Wi fir the help of Guild membersI began learning the basics so that I couldlater Pi-IS this on to the Scouts. lhuiv i rig noI orge of my own, I got i nva I jab I e hands orexperience in the Gui Id s shop. Through tireGui Id, better too is were located - Ken lrundaqedonated a real anvil, and Bill Weido gaveus a large amount of steel stock before hemoved. Through the Guild we also located anInexpensive ucnly of quality co.Ii. Pith altoh’ this help oxf ire Outpost went from beinqthe least ii Red to the frivorj to tb is justgoes to show th.t tire 130CR braS a wider’ i mripuctthan one in i g h t U( 1 i ze

Ago i n Lb i S srlrnnier 1 air return i rig to camp.We WOll] d I ike t:o to I low up lost sirorirrior- simprovement wi Lii even more thr is year’. We arest I I iii riced ot tools, and request anyI riexpenis jve soles (we have a very Li gut.budget) , summer loans, and doriat loris. Anyof I. hose woo Id be g rca h; I y a pprec i a ted(donations are tax deductible).

We still need the following itenrs:

- A post vise— A forge blower- ?‘ire clay (arid knowledge of building

masonry forges)- ‘longs of any type- Straight and cross pein hammers— Set cii isel S 011(1 punches- F’ul,[ers and swages- And anything else you might hove I ayinq

a rou ml

Ihnk you again, arid remember, we are[toy Scouts.

(1 f you can hot p theScouts. Rarni y can hecoritiicted itt (‘/03)451 —9135Rd .

9

On february 2/. Cu i d menibe cxTi rio Ch i seria . S Love Cur L is aridtrod Si I herberq a Ltendcd a panel

di scuss i on cii I. I LIed “Orriamen Lot. ionnd I)ecora I. ion in Ar L and —

Archi Lecture’ at the MarylandInstiLute, College of Art inHal Lirnore. The panel memberswere: Valerie Jaudon, a painter;Susana Torre. an architect; andartist-blacksmith, )\IberL Paley.

Although the discussionwas often obscure and obtusewith some of the participantspausing for long periods t.ocol bet thouohts that may neverhave existed, some interestinginsights did surface. Mr. Paleyseemed the most coherent anddown to earth of the threepanelists. During an all toobrief showing of slides of hiswork and other styles of highlyornamented archi Lecturaldecoration, including Art Nouveau,he spoke of “overlaid systemsof ornament” enriching arch iLecture. He also descri bed theriveting and col laririg of hisown iron works as “the structureof the piece explaining itself.”

As the panel discussionresumed. [‘oley addressed theneed for ornament and decoraLionin a we rid of box I i ke conc cc toand c. I ass arch i tOe! ure say i ng‘Ornament articulates enioti on,

and ‘ornament is I ike music —

it goes straight to the emotions.”He spoke of man’s need to feelas a justification for ornamentin archi Lecture. When asked whyhe thought modern designers aregoing back to historical sty leslike Art Nouveau. Paley stated,‘We see continuence in the past,but not in the future. . . so wedraw on designs from the past.lie related this to man’s needto feel secure.

When asked to what heattributed his own success. Paleysaid that he just happened tobe in the right place at theright time. He believes thatthe current resurgence of craftwork and ornament in archi tee Lureis a result of the children ofthe 1960’s, who reacted againstan impersonal society, finallygetting the money and power tobring a personal, human aspectback to design. He said he haseight employees in his shop,but still does all the forginghimself. He spends nights andweekends doing design work aswell as putting in 40 hours a,week in the shop.

A f Ler the panel i scuss ion,the Guild members had the ooodfortune to meet and speak wi tliAlbert Paley. He is a veryFriendly man, a little on theshy side, lIe said that althoughlie has had little to do with1\[3AN1 in the last several years,he i s sclied u I ed to I ec tu cc a tthe ABANA Conference in Flagstaff,Arizona in August.

91(fiert Paty Speaks in Ba[timore

SO LONG COLD WEATHER!

On February 22nd, JohnDittmeier lit his last forgefire in Delaware, emptiedhis shop and headed fora warmer clime! John hasaccepted an engineering jobin Orlando, Florida wherehe will set up his forgefor fun. Enjoy the sunnysouth, John, but we hopeyou’ll come back this wayto visit. We wish him well.

rxt

I10

WANTEDMUSICIANS, THESPIANS & BLACKSMITHS

The Board would like to present aparody of the Anvil’s Chorus from II Trovatoreat Blacksmithing Days and needs volunteers toparticipate. A musical background (for ourpurposes) is not a requirement--neither isacting ability although such talents wouldcertainly help. We particularly need aconductor.

Background music will come from TomCopas’ tape recorder—anvils, hammers, etc.will provide a “symphonic accompaniment” ata premier performance of the Blacksmiths’Guild of the Potomac Symphony Orchestra.

Please ontact Adrian Clary at(703)836-4982 or (202)334-3220 or any othermember of the Board if you will help. Claryhas some ideas for appropriate instruments butis open for other suggestions.

On March 7th, Larry Woltz gave a talk anddemonstration with oxycetelene welding. Alarge crowd gathered dose due to the cold.Lots of good information was exchanged duringthis demonstration.

NEEDED--PHOTOGRAPHS

Plans are underway to provide a displayof the Guild’s activities in Flagstaff at theABANA Conference. Adrian Clary would liketo have drawings, photographs, etc. of theforge, special activities and similar material.Photos will need to be at least 5x7, and,preferably, 8x10 so good negatives will beneeded.

Did you happen to see any of our“TV Stars” recently on television? SteveWheeler and his partner were featured on asegment of Alive Tonight on the MarylandPBS station in January. Nick Vincent wasinterviewed on Entertainment Tonight on aBaltimore channel in January, before hedemonstrated at the Maryland HistoricalSociety’s Antique Fair. Brad Sllberberg wasinterviewed on the local Arlington cablestation in February. Keep spreading theword, guys!

WE’RE LOOKING FOR....

Items you have made, photos, drawings,so we can put together a really nice display ofBlacksmith related items during ourBlacksmithing Days weekend. The GreenbeltCultural Arts Center has graciously agreed tolend us the use of the Utopia Theater lobby for Ia display of our work. If we all pitch intogether we can really have a super display. Ifyou for some reason cannot attendBlacksmithing Days, we would still very muchlike for you to participate - here is yourchance. Contact either Judy Boone (301)474-2967 or Tom Copas (703)978-8886 to makearrangements for your contribution.

11

Fireplace toaster made by Nick Vincent

9[LLEJ

Tongs for casting knobs on rails made by Brad Silberberg

Jan Kochansky and a “sun” he made for hismother.

Damascus knile and leather case made by Bob Monroe

\ fe’ nails made by NiH Vincent for abuilding in Dover, DE 12

WasIiiiujtoii£ 2roiiwoth

Can you identify this month’s piece ofonwork from the Washington area? This is

the centerpiece, there are pieces on eitherside that follow the same pattern. The top railis of brass.

Clues: * It is a short walk from a Metro Railstop.* Site has been associated with somegreat names in the entertainmentworld.

A CLASS WITH FRANCIS WHITAKER

We have just been notifiedthat there are openings ina class with Francis Whitakerto be held at the John C.Campbell Folk School, Brass—town, NC, April 4 - 20, 1986.Each participant should bringa project to be worked onunder the tutelage of Francis.Scholarships are available.If you are interested inattending this class, contactthe school directly at (704)837-2775.

Your help is needed onSunday, April 6, 10am to5pm. We will be meeting atthe shop at Gulf Branch tomass produce pot hooks andplant hangers to be soldduring Blacksmithing Days.We would like to have a goodsupply of things to sellduring the weekend, so pleasecome and help.

We will try to get asmuch accomplished as possible,so bring your lunch and joinus. See you there!

We(come 9\[ew Members

Walter Cate6329 Lakeview DriveFalls Church, VA 22041

David Corbin2212 Little River Road1-laymaricet, VA 22069

Dave Elliott3209 Parkwood TerraceFalls Church, VA 22042

David HutchisonRt. 1, Box 31Cordova, 11D 22042

Paul Beisler7720 Old Alexander Ferry RoadClinton, [1D 20735

Answer to last month’s ironwork: West gatesof the White House

On Location...D c ri’ t F c x‘

On March 21st, the GuiJd metat Mike Pena’s shop in Oheverly,MD. A good crowd enjoyed Mike’swarm hospitality which included athorough tour of the shop and itsvarious machines. The one that seemedto get the most attention was anIronworker that could cut stock upto l3 inch square, just like it wasa piece of butter! It’s amazinghow far some of these machines havecome.

Mike also demonstratedmaking of a lambs tongue for awith a torch. The forge wasup and a couple of people triedhand at it.

Mike made an animal head atthe forge. He also melted some leadand showed how finials are oftenadded to rails. Quite a bit of veryuseful information was exchanged.Thanks, Mike for sharing your shopand expertise with us.

G t y i r a i ri rit i c}E t:: C) i 1

C3C) EN i rifC) x t N E i.ic E i riA7 C) ‘x c tiri t i rir

000

Bx i r-i m tN i i-i -£C)x ENC) iit:

Worá Of WLcdbm:

A Blacksmith is like a piece of hissteele -- he is no good when he loseshim temper.

Anonymous

000

therail

firedtheir

000

LVI 31 — Jim 1

14

NAME —

ADDRESS.

MEMBERSHIPAPPLICATION 8LACKS.4ITHtNG EXPERIENCE

AREAS OF INTEREST

_______

STATE ZIP CODE

DATE

TELEPHONE

INTERESTED IN PROCURING 0 COAL 0 COKE

0 OTHER

______

0 ANVIL 0 FORGE 0 POST VISE 0 BLOWER 0 HAND TOOLS

MEMBERSHIP FEE $15

ANNUAL DUES $10

RETURN APPLICATION WITH $25 TO:I’NE 8LACT$KI?HS • GUILD O’ ?NZ POTOI4AC • INC.c/c GULF SRANCH NAIUPE CENTER3608 NORVH ItILIThRY ROADARLINGTON. VIRGINIA 22207

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATIONMembership in ABANA includes a subscriptionto the Anvil’s Ring

Fulitime Student $15.00Regular Member $25.00Family Membership $30.00Senior Citizen $20.00Overseas Member $32.00Contributory $50.00Llbary Subscription $25.00

STREET

CITY BUSINESS

Addres

City state JipPRACTICING SMITH a ARTIST a TEACHER a STUDENT C AMATEUR a

perperperperperperper

yearyearyearyearyearyearyear

mail to: ART1ST-BLACKSMITHS ASSOCIATION OF N. AMERICAP.O. Box 303Cedarburg, Wiecon$in S3012

CHECK MUST ACCOMPANY APPLICATION

15

BLACKSMITHING DAYS

MAY 31& JUNE 1, 1986 Be there!!!!

NEEDED: Objects for the Auction

:-3e

-

D

SA

39

Mr. Tug Tuggle10423 Lawyers RoadVienna, VA 22180

Newsletterdo Judy Boone

137 Hedgwo flrjvGceenbIt. MO 2077C

FIRST CLASS MAIL