[TheForge] 2004 Tannehill Blacksmithing Conference

Thu Aug 5 09:04:24 EDT 2004

Alabama Forge Council

Proudly Presents The

19th Annual AFC Blacksmithing Conference

September 10, 11 & 12th 2004

Tannehill State Park

McCalla, AL

Featured Demonstrators

Walt Scadden - Maritme Ironwork & English Wheel

and

Matt Jenkins - Traditional Joinery

Family Activities
Juried Art Show
Beginners Classes
Iron Art Auction
Tailgate Tool Sales
Children’s Program

2004 Demonstrators

Walter Scadden –Manchester, MA

Maritime Ironwork & English Wheel

Walter developed his style while studying with Masters Francis Whitaker, 
Manfred Bredhol, and Ivan Bailey. Walter studied at, and teaches at the 
John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. He demonstrated at the 
Second World Congress of Metal Workers in Germany and National ABANA 
conferences in Birmingham, Alabama and St. Louis, Missouri. He’s worked on 
the restoration of several Samuel Yellin pieces at Yale University and the 
restoration of the Guggenheim Museums carousel at Sands Point, New York. He 
was the primary blacksmith during the construction of the replica historic 
schooner L’Amistad at Mystic Seaport.

Presently Walter teaches at the Rhode Island School of Design and is under 
contract by grant from the National Endowment of the Arts to mentor young 
artists in business issues and in presenting themselves to the public. He 
runs a shop in Manchester, Connecticut and teaches and lectures on 
architectural and marine ironwork. Walt will be demonstrating authentic 
techniques for forging items such as oarlocks, anchors, grapnel, and deck 
hardware. The use of the English wheel has undergone resurgence after being 
shown on television programs featuring numerous custom motorcycle builders, 
and Walt will be demonstrating its operation and uses.

Matt Jenkins – Athens, GA

Traditional Joinery

Matt is originally from Manitoba, Canada and now resides in Athens, 
Georgia. Employed as the blacksmith at Lower Fort Garry National Historic 
Site of Canada for seven years, he worked on various reproduction projects 
and focused on traditional techniques. He later honed his forging skills 
while taking classes as a host at the John C. Campbell Folk School. He has 
designed and executed a wide range of forged ironwork from nails to large 
architectural pieces.

Green Coal

The AFC has 8 teaching stations available for hands-on instruction by 
accomplished blacksmiths. If you are just getting started in blacksmithing, 
here is your chance to learn the basics from some of the best the AFC has 
to offer. If you have a project you’ve been working on and need 
help...bring it along. $10 per session.

Family Program

We have a wonderful group of artists available to teach hands on arts and 
crafts techniques.

Origami’ with RJ Hadle
Easy Origami/Paper Craft for Beginners:  If you have always wanted to learn 
to make the peace crane, now is the time.  Just think how great your 
holiday tree or packages would look with these folded paper projects.  If 
time allows, we may be able to fit in some other types of paper card crafting.
Cost:  $10.00 (all supplies included).  You can bring your paper scissors 
for this class.

Flowers in Copper by Rick Jay
Learn to cut, shape and assemble beautiful copper flowers of all types. 
Most of you are familiar with Rick’s work and the great detail and realism 
he puts into his copper flowers. This is a chance to spend a few hours and 
turn out your own versions. Your finished flowers will be suitable for use 
singly or as part of a larger project. Some basic familiarity with hand 
tools will be helpful in achieving good results. Instructor will provide 
patterns and materials. Students should bring work gloves. $25 class fee. 
Limit 10 students per class.

Copper Cutouts with Jackie Spencer
Folk Art for Copper:  Using tooling copper (36 g.) we will have several 
designs available for your choice.  Think ornaments; wall hangings, or just 
for fun. We will cut out the copper in the chosen design(s), clean them, 
paint them with acrylic paints. Cost: $8.00 - $10.00 depending on number 
and size projects.  Bring your old scissors - no good ones - to cut the 
thin copper.

Fun for the Children: hosted by Alice Linn
Bring the kiddies for a day of fun and frivolity. Alice will be conducting 
crafts and activities geared for the little ones; lunch and snacks 
provided. Bring along a pre-washed white or natural tee shirt for 
decorating. For ages 6 –13, $10 per child; limit 10. (8am to 3:30pm Sat. only)

Juried Art Show

This will be the 2ndAnnual Tannehill Juried Iron/Metal Arts Show. Cash 
prizes for three categories will be awarded. $50 will be given for 1st 
place, $25 for 2nd place and $15 for 3rd place. There is no limit to the 
number of pieces each person may submit and the decision of the 3-judge 
panel is final. The show is open to all paid weekend conference attendees; 
no mail-in items will be accepted.  Please submit your show items to the 
attendant in the main tent.

Friday Night Blast

Make plans to attend the forging contest that is as funny as it is intense. 
This years contest is a surprise but will as entertaining as ever. All 
contestants get a prize and the winner gets additional goodies and bragging 
rights.

The Auction

Your donated items for the auction are very much appreciated. The auction 
proceeds are where the AFC generates its income to offer blacksmithing 
scholarships and to host the free workshops each year. The conference fees 
pay for putting on the conference but the auction is how we continue to 
provide the activities that further the art and craft of blacksmithing. Our 
auctioneer this year is Col. Anthony Goodrum. Remember, this is a charity 
auction, bid generously.

If you cannot attend we welcome your donations. Please send them to:
Mike Linn
AFC Auction
13784 Dianne Drive
McCalla, AL 35111

Iron-in the-Hat

This year the AFC will be conducting iron-in-the-hat to help raise funds 
for our educational programs. Tickets are $1 each, 6 for $5, 25 for $20. 
Two drawings will be held for items donated and the centerpiece is a 
blacksmith’s toolbox. Any items for the general iron-in-the-hat or tools 
for the toolbox would be greatly appreciated.

Please send iron-in-the-hat donations (if you cannot attend) to:
Allan Kress
889 County Road 1464
Cullman, AL 35058

Registration
  Gate entry will begin Thursday (Sept.5th) afternoon. AFC membership is 
required; dues are $20 per year and include 6 issues of the Bituminous 
Bits. Registration at the conference will be $35 for 3-day and $20 for 
1-day, per person.

Those attending the demonstrations or are setting up tailgate sales are 
required to pay the conference fee. Family members or temporary visitors 
need only sign the release and obtain a badge for TEMPORARY entry into the 
conference area. Family members, of a registered conference participant, 
attending family program classes only, are not required to pay the full 
conference fee. If you take up space at a demo you must pay the conference fee.

  Location

Tannehill State Park is located approximately 25 southwest of Birmingham. 
Take Exit 100 from I-59/20 and go east about 2 miles to the park or take 
Exit 1 from I-459 and go south about 7 miles, the park entrance will be on 
your right. The conference will be held in Farley Field at the extreme 
northern end of the park.

The blacksmithing demonstrations will be in the Forge Pavilion. Plenty of 
bleacher and chair seating are available. The family and children’s 
programs will be held in nearby tents and pavilions

Lodging & Camping

Tannehill is one of the premier camping sites in the state. Campsites are 
available at the Tannehill Ironworks near the demonstration site on Mill 
Creek. Improved (water and electricity) sites, primitive camping and cabins 
are available. Check-in at the country store. For reservations and 
information, call the park at 205-477-5711

Hotels
Sleep Inn
1259 Greenmor Drive
AL-52 at exit 6 off I-459
205-424-0000

Jameson Inn
5021 Academy Lane
Exit 108 off I-59/20
205-428-3194

Best Western
5041 Academy Lane
Exit 108 off I-59/20
205-481-1950

For more information please contact:

Mike Linn at 
205-477-7643   (<mailto:mikelinn at concentric.net>bamablacksmith at comcast.net )

Schedule of Events
  Friday September 10th  8 am to 11:30 am
Featured Demonstrator – Walt Scadden
Green Coal – up to 16 students

11:30 to 12:30 Break for Lunch

12:30 to 4:00 pm
Featured Demonstrator – Matt Jenkins
Green Coal – up to 16 students
Copper Flowers with Rick Jay
Copper Cutouts with Jackie Spencer

7:00 pm
Friday Night Blast
Forging Contest

Saturday September 11th 8 am to 11:30 am
Featured Demonstrator – Matt Jenkins
Green Coal – up to 16 students
Origami with RJ Hadle
Copper Flowers with Rick Jay
Children’s program with Alice Linn

11:30 to 12:30 Break for Lunch

12:30 to 4:00 pm
Featured Demonstrator – Ray Spiller
Green Coal – up to 16 students
Copper Flowers with Rick Jay
Children’s program (cont)

4:15 Sharp
  Auction
Awards Ceremony

After Auction – Dinner

After Dark
Walt Scadden will present slides and discuss the building of the
Replica of the schooner L’Amistad

Sunday September 12th   8 am to 12:00 noon
Workshop / Open Forge
Work one-on-one with some of the best blacksmiths around. Make tools, work 
on projects, or just shoot the bull. All of the AFC tools will be available 
for use, including our new Sayha Pneumatic Forging Hammer.

            Mike Linn
      Artist Blacksmith
          McCalla, AL
        AFC Webmaster
http://afc.abana-chapter.com

" Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level then beat 
you with experience."
                                 Anonymous

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