January workings...

The last couple of weeks have seen a large amount of deep background work for CanIRON 8:

1) At the January 16 OABA meeting, a set of core team leaders for work over the actual conference days was recruited:

Site Manager - Wolfgang Bleckert
Demonstrator Co-Ordinator - Darrell Markewitz
Volunteers Co-Ordinator - Dan Linkenheld
Registration - Shirley Young
Gallery - Kelly Probyn-Smith
Trouble Shooter - Mick Smith

These are hardly ALL the responsiblities, but they do cover many of the major areas. Expect that each will be recruiting sub teams closer to the conference dates.

2) A draft budget was prepared by Shirley Young. This gives us a working framework. The most important result is that the organizing team expects to have a final announcement on admissions costs for just after the next meeting on Feburary 13 (at Waldies in Milton).

3) Research is being done into the design and production of the program / catalogue. Right now the thought is that a graphic designer will be chosen to handle this work. Right now a quote guideline is being prepared and rates being sought.

4) Research on 'swag' items - and costs. Some general ideas have been collected about what might available for conference members. This includes items that might be for sale. A general tracking down of possible sources and collecting of general cost quotes is underway.


The organizing team continues to gather good ideas on activities for CanIRON. We need input from those intending to attend the conference! Drop us an e-mail with your thoughts.

Michael McCarthy - Demonstrator Profile

Michael McCarthy

Cooperstown NY

http://web.archive.org/web/20060510041855/www.hammerinhand.com/maxpages/Home

" My mission, in simplest terms, is to "Preserve, study, advance and exchange the techniques of the pre-industrial metalworker, In order to help build independence and productivity in those who may benefit from it."

" My vision statement, in part an effort to clarify the above: "Foster and develop an environment of study and research. Present the craft to those with interest. Provide a clearinghouse of information as regards the craft. Help to provide a voice for traditional crafters. Seek out opportunities to teach others."

" I became intrigued with the work of Paul Spaulding and went looking for an apprenticeship with him. I thought I would stay in his shop for a year or so and "bone up" on my forging skills. Seems laughable to me now. Five years later (2005), I find myself running the shop (at the Farmer's Museum, Cooperstown NY).

" My dream had long been to create an axe. Now I have made axes, using old tire iron or other sources, and welding in steel bits. What I am talking about is creating an axe. Starting with nothing and ending up with an axe..."

Replicas of Colonial Period hammers (wrought iron with welded steel faces)

" Since I can remember, I have been fascinated by the idea of sole authorship, the making of artifacts that can be attributed to one person and one person alone, without the imprint of another living soul. This is what brought me to blacksmithing in the first place. Looking for ways and means to make my own tooling, my own hardware, etc... I stumbled onto a trade so grand, so varied, so difficult that even a flighty gen-X'er like myself couldn't get bored with it. "

The Campbell Pipe Tomahawk
A recreation of a revolutionary war era tomahawk

Found on the Campbell property after the Revolutionary war era raid on the town of Cherry Valley, the axe stayed within the Campbell family for years before being donated to the Museum. The axe must have been quite a treasure for its day. Made of wrought iron with a welded steel bit, it is decorated with a series of punched and incised dots that elevate it from the status of many others in its class. The handle itself is treated in similar fashion, with a panoply of animal fetishes and arrows of poured pewter; it boasts brass tacks at the interstices of its designs. This attention to detail was by no means uncommon, as these pieces tended to be made and given as commemorative items.


This axe is not a reproduction, but rather it was inspired by an 18thc. axe attributed to Richard Butler. It is Made of wrought iron, with a welded steel bit. The bowl is cast silver and the end cap and handle bands are fabricated silver. The inlay is silver and gold. The handle is Tiger Maple with inlaid silver bands.


Mike's original web site is now only available in archive, so the information there is dated (to 2005!) and does not detail his recent achievements. Mike was instrumental in the creation of the Early Iron series of smelting symposiums.

Also on Mike's (archived) web site: a full discussion on forging hammer heads and building a great bellows.

Mark Puigmarti - Demonstrator Profile

This is the third of a series of profiles of the featured demonstrators for CanIRON 8. The text and images are being gathered from each individual's web site. Readers are encouraged to visit these, as in most cases there is not only a greater selection of each artist's work to see, there are often other goodies like techniques or video available.

Mark Puigmarti
Port Parry ON
www.sparkswillflyforge.ca

"Forging yellow hot steel is as much an art form in process as the resulting piece. I thrive on exploring both the physical techniques and unlimited design possibilities. Many times a vision of a finished piece is an opportunity for investigating or discovering a process through experimentation to achieve a design element. I am continually amazed by the mediums ability to be moulded hot relatively easily into endless shapes and textures from heavy jagged, to smooth gentle fluid lines that are equally enduring." "I feel that it is so important to challenge myself to create designs that are not typical for ironwork because the resulting expression is individual and intriguing. My approach to this work is with a touch of naiveté and bags full of patience. This establishes a borderless environment for the creative process."

Also on Mark's web site :

A much larger portfolio of his past work, including detailed concept drawings which can be compared to finished work in the gallery section.


Unless otherwise indicated, Images and text are taken from the individual's web site, and are used here with permission. Full copyrights apply.

(Darrell)

Jake Powning - Demonstrator Profile

This is the second of a series of profiles of the featured demonstrators for CanIRON 8. The text and images are being gathered from each individual's web site. Readers are encouraged to visit these, as in most cases there is not only a greater selection of each artist's work to see, there are often other goodies like techniques or video available.

Jake Powning
Markhamville, Kings County, New Brunswick
http://www.powning.com/jake/home/j_homepg.shtml

I make swords in the Celtic and Norse styles and it is my aspiration to keep searching and refining my pieces to capture the magic and grim beauty of those ancient swords. I strive to work towards the same standards of quality that historical smiths exhibited in there work and to make swords which are infused with my personality, and the energy that is given by a craftsman to an original piece, while remaining informed by a historical tradition. Working within the parameters of a time period and style enables me to explore the material in a way which would be more difficult if there where no boundaries to help focus the work. believe in making historically informed, light weight blades, which stand on their own both as swords and as crafted objects, and which feel as good in the hand as they look on the mantle. Since childhood I have been obsessed with studying Celtic and Norse mythology and history from the time of Fionn MacCumhal and Sigurd Fafnirsbane to Robert the Bruce and Iron Skegg. In my work, I hope to emulate the mystery and power which flows through the colourful folklore surrounding the Celtic and Norse heroes and heroines. I view my swords as stories that are told in steel and wood, bronze and leather.

Vardhllokur - spirit song

This sword is a 3 bar composite pattern welded construction. the edge billet is 61 layers and the two center billets are 9 layers each, the steels used in it's construction are 1075 and 8670m. the grip is carved from ancient bog oak, the fittings are cast silicon bronze, and there are sterling silver and copper wires twisted together between the pommel lobes. The scabbard is curly yellow birch, carved with dragon motifs.

'Clevdrui' - Celtic anthropomorphic hilted short sword

The blade on this sword is forged of 558 layers of 1075/8670m figured steel. It has a strong distal taper with a concave crossection. It feels light and deadly in the hand. These small swords are extremely efficient in every sense. The blade is forged of high layer spirit pattern damascus wich shimmers like figured wood or flowing water when you move it in the light. The hilt and scabbard fittings are cast silicon bronze, and the scabbard is birdseye maple lined with close sheared sheep fleece with the lanolin left in to protect the blade.

'Spirit Horse' Dagger

This short sword/dagger was featured in the first international museum exhibition of international bladesmiths in Macao China. This was my first museum exhibition and it was a great honour. I was also awarded an emerging artist grant from the New Brunswick Arts Board in order to construct this pice for the exhibit. the materials are'flowing water damascus' of 1075/L6 silicon bronze, and curly maple.


Also on Jake's web site :
A series of photo essay tutorials that includes - Bronze Casting / Pattern welding / Carving.
A much larger portfolio of his past work, including detailed images of most of the blades. There are also some interview video and sound clips.


Unless otherwise indicated, Images and text are taken from the individual's web site, and are used here with permission. Full copyrights apply.

(Darrell)