Guild of Metalsmiths ,
Activities, workshops and meetings

last updated: July 31, 2010

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Whats Happening in the Guild of Metalsmiths? Scheduled: Conferences , Old Conferences , Exhibitions , Workshops , Meetings , Hammerins For a current issue of our Monthly Newsletter listing meetings, workshops, and other news; check out The Forum . Last month's news and next month's schedule.

What do we do? Who are these Metalsmith Guild members anyway?

• "The Metalsmith's Madness"
            Guild of Metalsmiths 33^rd Annual Fall conference - 2010

  September 17^th, 18^th, and 19^th
  at the Little Log House Threshing Grounds (Map)
  
  
  !!! Conference Schedule Link !!!
  Conference Brochure

  
  

  Bring your Gallery items, just like these from 2004!

  (Gallery open at 1:00pm Friday Sept. 17^th to receive your items!)

• Upcoming

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  •     Guild of Metalsmiths 33^rd Annual Fall conference - 2010

    
    Doug Wilson and Steve Parker
    to demonstrate
    
    
    
    
    

    Doug Wilson © Doug Wilson

    
    
    
    

    Doug Wilson:
    Doug Wilson has been a metalsmith since 1972, operating his forge on Little Deer Isle, Maine, since 1981. He produces primarily commissioned work, functional, architectural and sculptural; contemporary designs utilizing traditional joinery.
    Doug has demonstrated and taught basic through advanced forging, drawing and design workshops and how to make proposals to clients and client relations for nearly thirty years throughout the U.S. and Canada, including workshops at Haystack, Penland, Peters Valley, Campbell Folk School, numerous ABANA chapter events and six ABANA national conferences.
    Doug’s work has been included in numerous national exhibitions and publications including The Contemporary Blacksmith, Fireplace Accessories, "Anvil’s Ring", and "Metalsmith" Magazine.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Steve Parker © Steve Parker

    
    
    

    Steve Parker:
    "In 1987 I attended my first Hammer-in. Clifton Ralph happened to be there and I got to meet him. While watching the demo, Clifton mentioned that he worked in the steel mill, and had for many years. I could tell that he really knew his trade. I sat down next to him and we talked a bit prior to the demonstration resuming. Clifton was very open to teaching others what he knew. I guess he took a liking to me, since he did not run me off. I was as green as green could be when I went there for that hammer-in. He invited me to come to a hammer-in that he and his wife Joan used to put on every summer. I went to that hammer-in and from then on, Over the next few years I was fortunate enough to be able work with Clifton many times in his home shop. I was hooked on blacksmithing and, in particular, what could be done with a power hammer and some tools.
    In 1991 I applied for a job as a blacksmith for a forging company. My main job was to make tongs of all kinds for the production forge shop. This is a closed-impression die-forging shop. We forge all kinds of gear blanks and many other different-shaped parts for companies like Caterpiller, John Deere, as well as the oil and gas industry and aerospace applications, just to name a few. I also do quite a bit of repair work for the company. The demo will include forging tongs and tools, and much more. Come and watch. I will try and show you some of what I have learned from Clifton and others and from just doing the job 5 days a week for the last 16 years. I will cover some basic forging principles that are used every day whether your working at the anvil or the hammer."
    
    

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    Hammerins

    NOWTHEN HAMMER-IN
    Dates: June 5th & 6th, 2009
    Where: Nowthen Threshing Show Grounds (map)

    
    If you would like to pound some iron here is a great chance! Nowthen has five forging stations for just that purpose.
    All skill level encouraged to participate.
    
    Schedule:
    Friday Night: Social time and open forges.
    Saturday: Demonstrations by Pete Stanaitus. A 1 to 1 ½ hour presentation on doing a demonstration. “Making the Audience Glad They Came.”
    Primitive camping available on site. (Porta-Pots only and water hose to blacksmith shop)
    Cost? It’s Free! Yup! That’s right, Free!
    Questions: David Mariette 612-889-3291 -- david_mariette@anvildancer.com
    C U There!
    

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    Exhibitions

    • Visit the Gallery at the Fall Conference to see some of the finest Metalwork in the Midwest

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    Scheduled Meetings

    The Guild of Metalsmiths meet at various locations around Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, on the second Wednesday of the even months of the year. Meetings start at 7PM, Pot luck social time at 6:30.
    Are you curious?   Prospective and former members are always welcome to stop by a meeting and see what we are up too.

    
    
    
    

    • August 11, 2010 Dan Pate's Shop (map)
      Program: (quoted from Herb Fick)
      "This is a come early and stay late thing.
      Take a chance to try some sheet metal tools.
      See Gene work the big Swedish machine.
      See Dan’s new antique shrinker tool.
      Run your fingers through a really nice English wheel.
      See collector cars in various states of reconstruction.
      Cooking starts at noon. Herb will need just a bit of help lifting the pig to the roaster and carving. (Gary take note)
      The leprechaun will be doing his thing. That always works for me.
      We will try to keep the flavors separate this year. Last year the garlic got mixed with the pepper. I try to do each quarter differently.
      
      The demonstration will be cooking utensils from railroad spikes. Hanson will be principal demonstrator. Come and see if you can catch BTW working on a railroad spike. He claims to not much care for them. Reasons to come to this particular meeting: #1 Your friends will be there and they need your support. The Key phrase is: My name is _______ and I like to pound on metal!
      #2 Dan has a tool kit that is different from almost any blacksmith. His shop is about thin metal. Guild members need to know more about this.
      #3 Myron will do a good demonstration that you can use demonstrating anywhere. Kitchen utensils are always in demand.
      #4 The food will be good. Bring side dishes and desserts. That this is number four is telling.
      #5 Dan often presents the ladies with a peacock feather. You need these." -- Herb Fick
      
      
      
      

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    Workshops

    The Education Committee has workshops planned. Announcements and registration forms will be mailed to current members first. After the mailing has been received by registered members, registration info will be posted here (By order of the Education Committee)

    Classes fill quickly, so be sure to register immediately for those classes you are interested in. Classes are open to all, but workshop registration preference is given to Guild members in good standing.

    General registration for classes opens 10 days prior to the class. (see Guild info: Membership to find out how to become a member.)

    Beginning Blacksmithing Courses

    Due to the demand for a more comprehensive approach to learning the basic skills, we have been scheduling 3 seperate classes, each meeting for four sessions. Each session is taught by a team of instructors so that there is usually 1 instructor for every two students.

    
    Sign up early; members will get their registration materials in the monthly Newsletter; general enrollment will open several weeks later for the remaining workstations.

    For more info on classes contact Gordon Barr

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    For a current issue of our Monthly Newletter listing meetings, workshops, and other news; check out The Forum . Last month's news and next month's schedule. 2009 - 2010 Guild Of Metalsmiths Class Schedule

    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Champion	Other Events
    Jun 13, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Jun 14, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Jun 20, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Jun 21, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
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    Jun 27, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Jun 28, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
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    Jul 4, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Jul 5, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
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    Jul 11, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Jul 12, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Jul 18, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Jul 19, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Jul 25, 2009	.	.	.	.	Log House
    Jul 26, 2009	.	.	.	.	Log House
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Aug 1, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Aug 2, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Aug 7, 2009	.	.	.	.	Almelund Threshing Show
    Aug 8, 2009	.	.	.	.	Almelund Threshing Show / MN Zoo Family Farm Fest
    Aug 9, 2009	.	.	.	.	Almelund Threshing Show / MN Zoo Family Farm Fest
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Aug 12, 2009	.	.	.	.	Corn Feed
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Aug 15, 2009	.	.	.	.	Nowthen
    Aug 16, 2009	.	.	.	.	Nowthen
    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Champion	Other Events
    Aug 22, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Aug 23, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Aug 29, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Aug 30, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Sep 5, 2009	.	.	.	.	Rice County Gas and Steam
    Sep 6, 2009	.	.	.	.	Rice County Gas and Steam
    Sep 7, 2009	.	.	.	.	Labor day
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Sep 11, 2009	.	.	.	.	Defeat of Jesse James Days
    Sep 12, 2009	Instructor's Workshop	.	.	Dave Mariette	Defeat of Jesse James Days
    Sep 13, 2009	.	.	.	.	Defeat of Jesse James Days
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Sep 18, 2009	.	.	.	.	Madness
    Sep 19, 2009	.	.	.	.	Madness
    Sep 20, 2009	.	.	.	.	Madness
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Sep 25, 2009	.	.	.	.	Quad State -Troy, OH
    Sep 26, 2009	A-1 Beginners	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Rich Herman	Quad State -Troy, OH
    Sep 27, 2009	.	.	.	.	Quad State -Troy, OH
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Oct 3, 2009	.	.	.	.	Tunnel Mill
    Oct 4, 2009	.	.	.	.	Tunnel Mill
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Oct 10, 2009	Intermediate 1	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Dave Mariette	.
    Oct 11, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Oct 17, 2009	A-2 Beginners	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Rich Herman	.
    Oct 18, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Oct 24, 2009	Intermediate 2	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Dave Mariette	.
    Oct 25, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Champion	Other Events
    Oct 31, 2009	A-3 Beginners	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Rich Herman	.
    Nov 1, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Nov 7, 2009	A-4 Beginners	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Rich Herman	Deer opener
    Nov 8, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Nov 14, 2009	Intermediate 3	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Dave Mariette	.
    Nov 15, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Nov 21, 2009	Intermediate 4	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Dave Mariette	.
    Nov 22, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Nov 26, 2009	.	.	.	.	Thanksgiving
    Nov 27, 2009	.	.	.	.	Turkey Coma Day
    Nov 28, 2009	.	.	.	.	Thanksgiving Weekend
    Nov 29, 2009	.	.	.	.	Thanksgiving Weekend
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    Dec 5, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Dec 6, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
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    Dec 12, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Dec 13, 2009	Holiday Party	CSPS, St. Paul, MN	.	.	.
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    Dec 19, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Dec 20, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
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    Dec 25, 2009	.	.	.	.	Christmas
    Dec 26, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    Dec 27, 2009	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Jan 1, 2009	.	.	.	.	New Year's
    Jan 2, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    Jan 3, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Champion	Other Events
    Jan 9, 2010	B-1 Beginner Class	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Gordon Barr	.
    Jan 10, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Jan 16, 2010	Strap Hinges	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	Tom Sanders/Martin Pansch	Martin Pansch	.
    Jan 17, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Jan 23, 2010	B-2 Beginner Class	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Gordon Barr	.
    Jan 24, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Jan 30, 2010	Tongs	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	Darryl Ponder	Darryl Ponder	.
    Jan 31, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Feb 6, 2010	B-3 Beginner Class	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Gordon Barr	.
    Feb 7, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Feb 13, 2010	C-1 Beginner Class	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Herb Fick	.
    Feb 14, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Feb 20, 2010	B-4 Beginner Class	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Gordon Barr	.
    Feb 21, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Feb 27, 2010	C-2 Beginner Class	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Herb Fick	.
    Feb 28, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Mar 6, 2010	Struck Tools (tentative date)	Undecided	Jim Scott (tentative)	.	.
    Mar 7, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Mar 13, 2010	C-3 Beginner Class	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Herb Fick	.
    Mar 14, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Mar 20, 2010	Knife Making (tentative)	Undecided	Jim Moenck (tentative)	.	.
    Mar 21, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Champion	Other Events
    Mar 27, 2010	C-4 Beginner Class	School of Horseshoing, Anoka, MN	.	Herb Fick	.
    Mar 28, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Apr 3, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    Apr 4, 2010	.	.	.	.	Easter
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Apr 10, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    Apr 11, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
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    Apr 17, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    Apr 18, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Apr 24, 2010	.	.	.	.	Northern Minnesota Conference
    Apr 25, 2010	.	.	.	.	Northern Minnesota Conference
    	.	.	.	.	.
    May 1, 2010	.	.	.	.	BAM
    May 2, 2010	.	.	.	.	BAM
    	.	.	.	.	.
    May 8, 2010	Hammer Class	Dick Carlson's Shop	Dick Carlson	.	.
    May 9, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    May 15, 2010	Coal forge building workshop	Martin's shop, Young America, MN	Martin Pansch	Martin Pansch	.
    May 16, 2010	Coal forge building workshop	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    May 22, 2010	Gas Welding	Myron's Shop, Eagan, MN	Myron Hanson	.	.
    May 23, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
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    May 29, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    May 30, 2010	.	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.	.
    Jun 5, 2010	Nowthen Hammer-In.	Nowthen Fairground	.	Al Olson	.
    Jun 6, 2010	Nowthen Hammer-In.	.	.	.	.

    
    Class/Workshop Schedule Last Updated on 07/20/2009
    By Tom Barnett

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    Notice:

    If you have a Guild of Metalsmiths event that you would like to post on this page.
    Drop me a line.
    Tom Barnett , Happenings editor
    Guild of Metalsmiths
    

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