[TheForge] blacksmithing / metalwork formal training and higher education

[Jim Poulmas]

Eric,
It might be a good idea to see if self employment is something he would be
interested in. Once you get competent enough to make things that's the next
reality/hurdle for most people. It's a lifestyle issue, really. Self
employment is not for everyone. Not to get too far or anything but if we're
talking about a career here this is something to consider. The other thing
I'd say is that he can do meaningful blacksmith work in his spare time.
Maybe try and tie it to a science education? Lot's of chemistry happening
in those fires!
Jim Poulmas


On Sat, Oct 26, 2013 at 12:33 PM, Bob Ehrenberger <eforge at centurytel.net>wrote:

> I'm about a year from retirement, or at least a serious cut back on
> production work.  I'm thinking about what I would like to do as far as fun
> and educational projects. There are a lot more options when you don't have
> to worry about making a living.
>
> Actually I really like the problem solving aspect of blacksmithing, and
> making tools. There is so much more available than there was 20 years ago I
> need to look for that nitch market, and provide something that the
> blacksmith community needs.
>
> Robert Ehrenberger
> Shelbyville, Mo.
> eforge at centurytel.net
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Larry Brown" <lp.brown at verizon.net>
> To: "Bob Ehrenberger" <eforge at centurytel.net>; "Blacksmithing List
> Sponsored
> by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
> Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2013 10:31 AM
> Subject: Re: [TheForge] blacksmithing / metalwork formal training and
> higher
> education
>
>
>
> Loosing money can be a great educator. I try to remember that each time I
> do or break even. There is something to learn in each disaster. I have
> taken a few jobs that were close to the profit/ loss line because I wanted
> to do them and now I just try to keep them far from each other, still not
> as smart as I should be.
>
> L Brown
>
>
>
> >Ries has a point,  back in 2000 I took a forge welding class from Bob
> >Patrick.  It changed my life and forge welding became a normal part of my
> >work.  Before that it was kind of a last resort.
> >
> >I might have figured it out on my own if I had spent a whole week just
> >practicing forge welds, but that wasn't going to happen in my shop where I
> >had paying work waiting for me to do.  It was hard to block out a whole
> >week
> >for a class, but was well worth it.
> >
> >I can only imagine what would be learned if you could dedicate a whole
> year
> >to just practicing new things and not trying to turn out sellable product.
> >
> >My tendency is to only take jobs that I know I can do and avoid the ones
> >that have a big learning curve, knowing that I will loose money on them
> >initially because they will take a lot longer than they should as I learn
> a
> >new technique.  In the long run they probably make money because they give
> >me a skill that I can apply to future projects.
> >
> >
> >Robert Ehrenberger
> >Shelbyville, Mo.
> >eforge at centurytel.net
>
>
>
> -----
> No virus found in this message.
> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
> Version: 2014.0.4158 / Virus Database: 3615/6780 - Release Date: 10/25/13
>
> ______________________________________________________________
> TheForge mailing list
> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/theforge
> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm
> Post: mailto:TheForge at mailman.qth.net
>
> TheForge mail list group photo site is
> http://www.shutterfly.com
> Login: blacksmithblacksmith at hotmail.com
> Password: anvil
>
> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net
> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html
>



-- 
*Jim Poulmas
203.887.7326
*