[TheForge] FL conference

[Patty Draper/Bill Robertson]

The Florida Artist Blacksmith Association is pleased to announce its annual
conference and auction to be held October 11, 12, and 13, 2002 at the
Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts in Barberville, Florida, just north
of Deland.

Smithing demonstrations are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday (along with
most of our classes and the annual fundraising auction at 7 pm Saturday
night).  Friday afternoon, October 11, is reserved for classes only.  Tool
sales will run throughout the conference and Dr. Tim Ryan will shoot the
anvil at 1:45 pm on Saturday.

Featured demonstrators include:

Jerry Grice-- Architectural Blacksmithing
Jerry has been in metalworking for over 30 years. He started in welding and
has been producing ornamental ironwork for many years. He works with steel,
aluminum, stainless, copper and brass. His sculptures are internationally
known and he has won Top Job Awards since joining NOMMA in 1978. He is a
past president of NOMMA and has served on many committees as well as the
board. Jerry is one of the founding members of the Florida Artist Blacksmith
Association, serving on our board several years both in the past and
present. For his demonstration, Jerry will create a wine rack and a piece of
garden d�cor. The techniques he plans to share will be forging, welding and
riveting

Clay Spencer-- Traditional Blacksmithing
After earning degrees from Auburn, Clay worked for Marshall Space Flight
Center on the Shuttle Program. Clay started blacksmithing in 1987 after he
took a class taught by Jim Batson. He has been an editor to, and written
articles for "Bituminous Bits." After demonstrating his treadle hammer
design, at the 1990 ABANA Conference, Clay began doing workshops and
demonstrations. His greatest award was when Francis Whitaker asked Clay to
replace him in teaching the Advanced Class and serving on the board at John
C. Campbell Folk School. Clay's demonstration for this conference will be
different. It will cover traditional joinery techniques to make a small
grill: forge welding, tenon, collar and upset square corner. If time permits
he will enamel a leaf or flower.

Ryan Johnson-- Tomahawk Bladesmithing
At 28, Ryan is one of the youngest fulltime bladesmiths in the United
States. Starting at age 12, he trained and apprenticed with some of the best
blacksmiths throughout his teenage years. After graduating from the
University of Tennessee he hired himself the next day. In the Spring of
2001, RMJ forge was asked by members of Special Forces to develop a tomahawk
to be utilized in modern combat. He has been featured in "Blade Magazine"
earlier this year. His tomahawks have been carried by our military to
Afghanistan. Ryan will be forging a tomahawk at this demonstration.

The following classes are being offered:

Beginning Blacksmithing:  Willard Smith
Intermediate Blacksmithing:  Charlie Stemmann
Bladesmithing: John Butler
Forge welding: Patty Draper & Bill Robertson
Enameling: Jackie Spencer
Copper Flowers: Rick Jay
Stained Glass: Mitz Bazzell
Drop Spindle Spinning: Betty-Lou Seager
Broom Making: Jeff Mohr
Candlewick Quilting: Shirley Brinkman
Juggling: Jeff Valentine
Children's Program: Jo Case

Family registration is $40.00 if postmarked by October 1st.  If you register
after October 1st add $5.00   Registration forms are available at
www.blacksmithing.org or by contacting Karen Wheeler, Registration
Coordinator, 10250 NE 50th St., Bronson, FL 32621, phone 352-486-4370, or
email kwheel@svic.net.

Rooms are available at the Best Inn University in Deland, Florida.  Phone
386-734-5711 or 800-345-8991.  They have rooms available for the conference
at a special rate of $45.00 plus tax per night.  Reservations must be made
by September 25.  Camping on site is available free of charge.  There are no
hookups, but the bathrooms will be open.

We hope to see you in Barberville in October!