[TheForge] Blacksmithing Demo, Projects?

[Washington, Aubrey O.]

Mitch,
 
Grover and Rob are both on target.  I demo at medieval fairs, etc.  And I find that some folks wander off after a few minutes.  But there a substantial number of folks who will watch for 30 minutes or more.  I recently had 3 teenage girls that sat down and watched me work for 3 hours!  They each got a rose for their time.  My point is that I think it is okay to do a few projects that take 15 to 30 minutes because there are always a few people who want to see more than a nail.
 
Aubrey

________________________________

From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net on behalf of Grover Richardson
Sent: Fri 4/13/2007 9:35 AM
To: 'Sponsored by ABANA'
Subject: RE: [TheForge] Blacksmithing Demo, Projects?



Yes.  I make pop top openers.  Flat screw driver blade on one end, twist,
and a flattened "whoop de doo" (scroll plier scroll) on the other.  Then
bend it so that it will fit over the belt.  You use it to start the pop top
instead of the fingernail.  Great gift for ladies in strollers, and that
keeps the number of people begging to a minimum<G>.  Ask to see their
fingernails, make a positive comment about how they look, then show them
yours (obviously yours are worse, you are working in an industrial
environment), then give them one so that their's won't turn into yours<G>.
This also gives you interface with the crowd instead of only a display.

About 5 minutes tops before they start to wander off.

Bring information for people who might wish to try smithing.  Great way to
spread the info about your local group.  If they are out of state, they can
get on the abana.org web page and find them.

Let us know how it turns out.  It should be fun.

Make jokes.  If you drop something, say that this is the only time that most
people really know that you messed up, you dropped the piece<G>.

Before you pass something around, make a point of rubbing your hand all over
it to show that it is cold.  It also verifies that it actually is cold<G>.

-----Original Message-----
From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Robert J Hill
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 10:29 AM
To: Sponsored by ABANA
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Blacksmithing Demo, Projects?

People love hand made nails and leaves!
Rob
On Apr 13, 2007, at 06:55, Mitch Widham wrote:


Help.

I am a beginner Blacksmith, one and a half years experience. I have been
asked to run the Blacksmith shop this weekend at a historical
settlement, my
1st demo. Any suggestions on what to make or not to make, do or don'ts.
I
have been told that simple projects that can be completed in one or two
heats are best, is this the prevailing thought. The event is a Folk
Music
fest at a pioneer arts settlement.


Mitch Widham
Operations Supervisor
Campus Safety Department
v: 7580
f: 4932
mitchell.widham at erau.edu



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