[TheForge] Suggestions, please

[Michael Horgan]

t 08:05 PM 1/13/2005, you wrote:

>I have just been (tentatively) hired for a Renn Faire in June. The deal is,
>they'll pay my expenses, but in order for me to actually make money, I'll be
>selling stuff I make. I'd like some ideas, guys, of things that would be
>sellers, basicly as souvenirs, at such an event- I know several of you have
>done that sort of thing.
>
>Saint Phlip,
>CoD
Phlip, you'll want to do a lot of prep in advance,& make stock for sales, 
and so on. Always have a few big ticket items on display,as a draw for the 
folks who have money and are looking for a craftsman.

Roses are always a big seller. If you want to make money at it, buy the 
precut blanks, available at Kayne & 
Son,<http://www.blacksmithsdepot.com/Templates/cart_templates/cart-detail.php?theLocation=/Resources/Products/Supplies/Rose_blank_kit> 
among other places. Under $10, add labor and a drop of rose oil,., sell for 
$150.  For a different look, take the finished rose to a dull red or black 
heat and brush with a brass brush.. Just like magic.

Along the same vein, I picked up an acorn die @ a hammer in. I can hammer 
the end of a 1/2 " bar into an oak leaf, draw out the stem and cut it off, 
leaving about 3/4" at the end.Then I take a heat & hammer into a rough 
ball, then a high heat and sink into the acorn die. A bit of brushing and 
you have a nice piece of jewelry, or a decorative element for another piece.

Doing demos, I always make a lot of "s" hooks and drive hooks.  never seem 
to have 'em by the end of the weekend.

Depending on the season of the faire, Barbeque Sets with Fork, Spatula & 
Skewers go well,  or fireplace sets for a fall faire. Getting into the big 
money though.

Can be fun hammering out ladles on a swage block too, demonstrating how you 
shrink the edges by hammering out the wrinkles. File the edges and rivet to 
a handle, or weld to a twisted handle.

Lastly... making nails is fast... taper, nick  drop into header and break 
it off and head it.  It's a very quick demo. Even the MTV kids stick around 
that long. ;^)
A quick bend with two tongs and close it over the tip of the horn, and you 
have a ring... nice cheap souvenir.


Michael D. Horgan , lughaid at earthlink.net
http://members.aol.com/lughaid/
posting from
  A BRAZEN FORGERY
Blacksmithing and Metalwork
Claremont, Ca.