[TheForge] AFC Conference Reminder

[Mike Linn]

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
and
Matt Jenkins

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.

The Mästermyr Project
In 2000 members of “theforge” decided to make Replicas of the Mästermyr 
Find, a Viking Age find of blacksmithing tools from Sweden, to display at 
the ABANA 2002 conference to be held in LaCrosse Wisconsin. The purpose was 
to demonstrate the effectiveness of using the Internet, via theforge email 
list server, to allow a diverse group of blacksmiths throughout the United 
States and Canada to collaborate on a blacksmithing project.
The items were found on the island of Gotland Sweden in 1936. A farmer 
plowing a recently drained portion of a bog in Mästermyr hit something with 
his plow. It was the tool chest wrapped in a chain. In the excavation that 
followed, over 200 items were found in and around the wooden tool chest 
including blacksmith tools woodworking tools and a variety of other 
blacksmith made items.
The replicas were met with resounding praise at the conference and 
everywhere else they have been displayed since. There are still plans to 
find a permanent location to display the collection, but in the meantime it 
is making the rounds. The collection will be on display in the Alabama Iron 
and Steel Museum for the month of August and will be moved to the 
conference site in September.


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 2nd Annual 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  Iron in the Hat
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 (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  Walt Scadden
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.