Schedule - Revised, Detailed, Additions!

Posted - 11/27/10 :

Additions of specific demonstrators and topics / Conference Room programing

Information in italics has not been confirmed

Information in (brackets) should be considered tentative

Feature Demonstration	Feature Lecture	Hands on Workshop	Public Outreach
Secondary Demonstration	Secondary Lecture / Panel		Other Activities

	Time	Area	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY	MONDAY
			July 28	July 29	July 30	July 31	August 1
MORNING	9 - 12		Site Opens				Packing Down
		Gallery	Work Accepted	Members Only	Members Only	Members Only
		Public Demo	Iron Smelt	Major Project	Major Project	OABA Members
		Demo A		Paul Allan Forging a Flower	Paul Allan Scrollwork for Acanthus Leaf	Jake Powning Bronze Casting
		Demo B		Jesus Hernandez Bloom to Bar	Kelly Smyth	Brian Russell Assembling Gate
		Hands On		Kelly Smyth	Brian Russell Gate Elements	Paul Allan Making Acanthus Leaf
		Conference A		Contributed Video	Contributed video	Contributed Video
	(9 - 10:30 )	Conference B		(members session)	(members session)	(members session)
	(10:30 12 )	Conference B		(members session)	(members session)	(members session)
LUNCH	(12 - 1:30 )		Registration Opens				Site Closes
	12:30 - 1:30	Gallery		Using the INTENET	Business of Blacksmithing	CanIRON 9
	12:45 - 1:30	Caffeteria		Sandra Dunn Design from History	Jesus Hernandez Japanese Bladesmithing	Mike McCarthy 19th C Blacksmiths
AFTERNOON	1:30 - 4:30						Cleanup
		Gallery	Work Accepted	Public Access 'Meet the Artist'	Public Access 'Meet the Artist'	Remove Work
		Public Demo	Iron Smelt	Major Project	Major Project
		Demo A	(currently open)	Brian Russell Gate Elements	Sandra Dunn Joinery Elements	Sandra Dunn Assembling Object
		Demo B	(currently open)	Mark Puigmarti Sculpting Mass 1	Jake Powning Pattern Welding	Mark Puigmarti Sculpting Mass 2
		Hands On	(currently open)	currently open	Mike McCarthy Basic Toolmaking	Forging Competition (public)
		Conference A		Contributed Video	Contributed video	Contributed Video
	(1:30 - 3 )	Conference B	Panel: 'How to CanIRON'	Workshop: Working the Web	currently open	currently open
	(3 - 4:30 )	Conference B	(possibly open)	Panel: 'Women of Steel'	currently open	currently open
DINNER	( 5 - 6:30 )		Opening BBQ		Thank Yous	Official Closing
EVENING	7 - 8	Caffeteria	Meet Demonstrators	Brian Russell Portfolio	Auction (public) 6:30 - 9
	7 - 8	Gallery		(possibly open)
	8 - 9	Caffeteria	Paul Allan Portfolio	Jake Powning Design from Ancients	Auction (public) 6:30 - 9
	8 - 9	Gallery	Mark Puigmarti Portfolio	Kelly Smyth
	(6:30 - 9:30)	Demo A	(possibly open)	Jesus Hernandez Japanese Bladesmithing
	(6:30 - 9:30)	Demo B	(possibly open)	Mike McCarthy Pipe Tomahawk
	( 6 - 10)	Hands On	Open Forge	Open Forge	Open Forge

The Organizing Team is intending on setting up the CANIRON site to provide for the following (additions in bold) :

DEMONSTRATION AREAS - There will be two main areas equipped for your featured demonstrators. You can see that this means two choices for any given session - with sessions planned for both morning and afternoons on Friday / Saturday / Sunday.

HANDS ON AREA - There will be a third work area, equipped with between 6 - 8 forge work stations:
1) The featured demonstrators will conduct a specific hands on workshop session. Sessions Thursday afternoon, plus both morning & afternoon of Friday / Saturday, plus Sunday morning. Individuals wanting to participate will need to sign up in advance, and available slots will be limited. Of course others will be free to observe 'outside the ropes' those sessions.
3) In the evenings (Thurs/Fri/Sat) The SIX work stations will be available for pick up work, inspiration, or just plain messing around. There will be teaching supervision provided in the evenings from 7 - 9 pm only.

LUNCH TIME LECTURES - In the later half of the lunch period, speakers drawn from a wider pool will be presenting shorter sessions on an expanded set of topics inside the gallery space. We expect to be able to provide 35 - 50 spaces of seating there. This in addition to presentations in the main dinning hall by our featured demonstrators. So come feed your mind as well as your body. (Friday / Saturday / Sunday)

EVENING PRESENTATIONS - We have broken the evenings down for two individual sessions, to take place in the main dining hall and also in the smaller space inside the gallery. Each session is for an hour, and is certain to include formal presentations by your featured demonstrators.

CONFERENCE ROOM SESSIONS - There will be two smaller rooms, equipped with 'board room' style tables. One room will be set up to show video presentations of interest to all. The second room will schedule specialized discussions. Current plans are to create a series of these panel and group discussion sessions, running 90 minutes each, afternoons. Have a topic / group you'd like to gather, even if its just for a place to 'Chew the Fat'? The rooms will also be available on a 'sign up' basis, for members to book for morning sessions.

FORGING COMPETITION - Love it or hate it, forging competitions done on the spot between teams of participants are always a big part of any gathering of Blacksmiths! Our hope is to allow the general public to be able to observe the goings on 'from behind the ropes'. This event will take place in the Hands On area on Sunday afternoon.

AUCTION - In keeping with our mission to inform and involve the public in selected aspects of CANIRON, we are hoping to open up participation in the fund raising auction to those with fatter wallets! The Auction is scheduled for Saturday early evening.

GALLERY - The best way to inform the public to what we REALLY do is to allow them access to the Gallery. Bring your best and most inspiring work, make sure you include a stack of business cards. The layout of the site at the Fergus Sportsplex is ideal in terms of both layout and large size. Security and close supervision will be provided for all the work.

OPENING BBQ SOCIAL - All registared participants are invited to join in for an informal BBQ on a Bun dinner on Thursday - hosted by OABA. (Included with your paid registration.) Come meet the other conference members!

PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS - A special area is being set aside, accessable to the general public, to illustrate just what Blacksmithing is all about:
Thursday - A demonstration of bloomery furnace iron smelting by members of the Dark Ages Re-creation Company.
Friday & Saturday - Work on creation of a larger artwork project, undertaken by OABA members under the direction of Dave McCord. Sunday - 'Hammer in' style work by members of OABA�

Registration Details!

Latest Addition November 1, 2010
The Admission and related fees have been established for CanIRON.
Major changes indicated in colour.

Admission Fees

Type	Dates	General Admission	OABA Members
Early Bird	before 1/31/11	$225	$200
Pre-Register	before 5/31/11	$250	$225
REGISTER	after 6/1/11	$275	$250
Single Day	at event	$85	$75
Student	any point	1/2 price	1/2 price
Spouse	any point	$50	$50
Under 16		Free	Free

OABA Members in good standing receive a discount ($25) to account for their support.
Qualified Students must be currently enrolled full time at secondary or post secondary level.
Any Spouse is that of a fully registered person, and is limited to observation only.
Children are those less than 16 years of age, and will not be allowed any direct hands on participation (for safety reasons).
There is no fee to attend certain public demonstrations, Gallery Exhibit, Vendor & Tailgate sales area, Camping grounds.

Meals & Camping

Type	Details	Cost
Welcome BBQ	Thursday Diner	Included in Admission
Meal Plan	Lunch - Friday / Saturday / Sunday Diner - Friday / Saturday	$100
Closing Diner	Saturday ONLY *	$20
Camping	all sites have electric and water
	Tree covered (single vehicle + tent)	$25 per night
	Open Field (single vehicle / RV + 3 tent max.)	$25 per night
Parking		Free

Pre-Registration is required for inclusion in the meal plan. Must be recieved by July 11, 2011
* The Saturday diner is INCLUDED in the full meal package, this offer required for those using a 'one day' pass.
There is no waste dump station on site for those with RV's.

CanIRON 'Swag'

Type	Details	Cost
CanIRON 8 'T' Shirt	In BLACK - sizes S to 3X
	PRE-ORDER : until June 15th	$13
	at the conference	$15
CanIRON 8 Hat	Either BALL CAP or BUCKET style
	PRE-ORDER : until June 15th	$13
	at the conference	$15

Payment

All fees in CANADIAN funds.
Remember that 13% HST is required in addition.
For all pre-registrations, include a Cheque or Money Order (Canadian funds ONLY) made payable to : Ontario Artist Blacksmith Association
CANCELLATION FEES - prior to June 15, 2011 = $20 / after = $35 / NO REFUNDS AFTER JULY 15, 2011.

Pre-registrations with fees are mailed to:

Ontario Artist Blacksmith Association, c/o Shirley Young
285 Brand Rd 22 / RR 2
Ancaster, ON
L9G 3L1

Download a printable registration form : As PDF
Email : Registration at CanIRON ?

These fees may be subject to change should changing events dictate

Revised TIMETABLE

This is the revised schedule for CANIRON 8:
For more details see the web site.

	Time	Area	THURSDAY	FRIDAY	SATURDAY	SUNDAY	MONDAY
			July 27	July 28	July 29	July 30	August 1
MORNING	9 - 12		Site Opens				Packing Down
		Public Demo	Iron Smelt	Major Project	Major Project	OABA Members
		Demo A		Feature Demonstration	Feature Demonstration	Feature Demonstration
		Demo B		Feature Demonstration	Feature Demonstration	Feature Demonstration
		Hands On		Guided Workshop	Guided Workshop	Guided Workshop
LUNCH	(12 - 1:30 )		Registration Opens				Site Closes
	12:30 - 1:30	Gallery		Mealtime Presentation	Mealtime Presentation	Mealtime Presentation
	12:45 - 1:30	Caffeteria		Mealtime Presentation	Mealtime Presentation	Mealtime Presentation
AFTERNOON	1:30 - 4:30						(Cleanup)
		Public Demo	Iron Smelt	Major Project	Major Project
		Demo A		Feature Demonstration	Feature Demonstration	Feature Demonstration
		Demo B		Feature Demonstration	Feature Demonstration	Feature Demonstration
		Hands On	Guided Workshop	Guided Workshop	Guided Workshop	Forging Competition (public)
DINNER	( 5 - 6:30 )		Opening BBQ		(Thank Yous)	Official Closing
EVENING	7 - 8	Caffeteria	Meet Demonstrators	Feature Presentation	Auction (public) 6:30 - 9
	8 - 9	Caffeteria	Feature Presentation	Feature Presentation	Auction (public) 6:30 - 9
	( 6 - 12)	Hands On	Open Forge	Open Forge	Open Forge

The Organizing Team is intending on setting up the CANIRON site to provide for the following:

DEMONSTRATION AREAS - There will be two
main areas equipped for your featured demonstrators. You can
see that this means two choices for any given session - with sessions
planned for both morning and afternoons on Friday / Saturday / Sunday.

HANDS ON AREA - There will be a third work area, equipped with between
6 - 8 forge work stations:
1) The featured demonstrators will conduct a specific hands on workshop
session. Sessions Thursday
afternoon, plus both morning & afternoon of Friday / Saturday,
plus Sunday morning. Individuals wanting to participate will need
to sign up in advance, and available slots will be limited. Of course
others will be free to observe those sessions.
2) In the evenings (Thurs/Fri/Sat)
The SIX work stations will be available for pick up work, inspiration,
or just plain messing around. There will be teaching supervision provided
in the evenings from 7 - 9 pm only.

LUNCH TIME LECTURES - In the later half of the lunch period, speakers
drawn from a wider pool will be presenting shorter sessions on an
expanded set of topics inside the gallery space. We expect to be able
to provide 35 - 50 spaces of seating there. This in addition to presentations
in the main dinning hall by our featured demonstrators. So come feed
your mind as well as your body. (Friday / Saturday / Sunday)

EVENING PRESENTATIONS - We have broken the evenings down for two individual
sessions, to take place in the main dining hall and also in the smaller
space inside the gallery. Each session is for an hour, and is certain
to include formal presentations by your featured demonstrators.

FORGING COMPETITION - Love it or hate it, forging competitions done
on the spot between teams of participants are always a big part of
any gathering of Blacksmiths! Our hope is to allow the general public
to be able to observe the goings on 'from behind the ropes'. This
event will take place in the Hands On area on Sunday afternoon.

AUCTION - In keeping with our mission to inform and involve the public
in selected aspects of CANIRON, we are hoping to open up participation
in the fund raising auction to those with fatter wallets! The Auction
is scheduled for Saturday early evening.

GALLERY - The best way to inform the public to what we REALLY do is
to allow them access to the Gallery. Bring your best and most inspiring
work, make sure you include a stack of business cards. The layout
of the site at the Fergus Sportsplex is ideal in terms of both layout
and large size. Security and close supervision will be provided for
all the work.

OPENING BBQ SOCIAL - All registared participants are
invited to join in for an informal BBQ on a Bun dinner on Thursday
- hosted by OABA. (Included with your paid registration.) Come meet
the other conference members!

PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS - A special area is being set
aside, accessible to the general public, to illustrate just what Blacksmithing
is all about:
1) Thursday - A demonstration of bloomery furnace iron smelting by members of the Dark Ages Re-creation Company.
2) Friday & Saturday - Work on creation of a larger artwork project, undertaken by OABA members under the direction of Dave McCord.
3) Sunday - 'Hammer in' style work by members of OABA

Paul Allen

Dorset, England

www.artinmetal.co.uk

Growing up in rural Dorset, Paul Allen considered training to become a silversmith in Birmingham. But the lure of the countryside led him to take up a forgework apprenticeship in blacksmithing at Cerne Abbas in Dorset – the start of a fascinating career in metal. Eager to share his knowledge and enthusiasm, Paul left Cerne Abbas at the age of 26. He took on the challenge of using his skills and talent to train young blacksmiths all over England for the Council of Small Industries in Rural Areas. His flair for design led to major projects being awarded to the student apprentices. These included a seat for the Ironwork Gallery in the V & A Museum and an ornate archway for the Zachary Gardens in London, commissioned by the Goldsmiths Company and incorporating the London Assay mark. National UK Champion Blacksmith in 1994, Paul is a certificated Licentiate teacher and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, as well as a Licentiate of the City & Guilds Institute. He is still actively involved in teaching as a part-time tutor at the National School of Blacksmithing in Hereford and is well known all over the country. At home in his studio at Motcombe Forge Paul specialises in producing original designs for interiors. Working in iron and other metals he uses only pure forgework techniques. The materials are chosen to enable delicate designs to be worked by hand; creating natural flow and balance within the practical function. From sweeping sinuous lines and personification of plant forms through to functional straight lines, his designs are often inspired and influenced by natural shape and forms. Commissions range from candlesticks to coffee tables and table lamps, creating quality style essentials which never go out of fashion. (taken from Paul's Web site)

Table Lamp

" Circular base with central column that branches out to support
the decorative shade, which incorporates honeysuckle flowers and stained
glass. Size 55cm high x 37cm wide. Made from mild steel with a lacquered
finish.

...The shade is made using repoussé techniques to form the flower
features and hand chasing to add decoration. The central column and decorative
infills that hold the glass are hand forged. "

Bench - V & A Museum, Ironwork Gallery

"History was made at the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington
when visitors were invited to sit on one of the exhibits.

... The bench seat has a coat of arms combining the logos of the V &
A and The Ironmongers Company who provided the funding. Situated in the
Ironwork Gallery the bench commemorates the opening of the gallery’s
eastern wing in 1998. "

"Vortex in Fire" Candelabrum

A pair of highly polished candelabrum with three outer and one central
candleholder with removable sconces. Hand made and formed in stainless
steel using lead block, stake work and repoussé techniques. Size
460mm high x 380mm wide.



Paul's web site features a gallery
of past work and details on the historic Motcombe Forge ��

Demonstrator Profile - Sandra Dunn

Sandra Dunn

Kitchener, Ontario
www.twosmiths.ca

" Blacksmith Sandra Dunn studied Fine Arts at the University of Waterloo and began blacksmithing in 1996. Incorporating traditional blacksmithing techniques such as forge welding, riveting and mortise and tenon joinery, her work reflects a deep interest in the gestures recorded by material that has been worked by hand." Full time blacksmith since the mid 1990's, Sandra operates Two Smiths, a business that designs and builds architectural features in a variety of metals and styles. From restoration work to contemporary sculpture,projects often involve collaboration with architects, artists and other manufactures and include a stainless steel bicycle powered wind instrument for Open Ears Festival, bronze clad Art Deco entrance doors for the Registry Theatre, a curved copper wall in a Manhatten loft and a Baroque iron railing in Bornholme, ON. Sandra has been a featured demonstrator at earlier CanIRON's : Ness Creek, Saskatchewan (2009) and Hamilton, Ontario (2005)

Interior Staircase railing

Detail of Forged Railing

Gate Latch

Sandra's web site includes a small portfolio and information about courses in metalsmithing.

Information Card!

This is the front side of the information card that is being produced by us by Barbara Pearn of ColourPix


This is only a low resolution proof image, but it will give you some idea of what the finished product will look like. The CanIRON 8 team will have cards on hand starting at the May 8 OABA meeting, with the intent of being able to distribute a good number at the upcoming ABANA conference later in that month.

A bit of trivia:

The image of the forge weld was shot by Neil Peterson. Neil is the head of the DARC Iron Smelting demonstration team, a special event on Friday of the conference. The smith involved is Darrell Markewitz (one of the fools who kicked off this whole thing!) What is being welded is actually an iron bloom, made in an earlier experimental smelt, using Viking Age methods.

Work Team Leaders

Its a dirty job, but SOMEONE has to do it...


One of the initial things talked about for CanIRON was work load up to, and at, the event. There was an attempt to break down the work into a small number of major areas. In some cases these 'team leaders' will need to do considerable work before the event. For others there will be considerably more labour required over the week of the event itself. In most cases each will need to recruit sub team leaders and workers - closer to the event date.
This is the initial list we came up with - and the people who have said they would assume the tasks:

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

Promotion - SLOT OPEN
Grants & Sponsors - SLOT OPEN
Equipment - SLOT OPEN

Site Manager will include all the logistics of supporting the event. Garbage, security, set up & tear down, all the fun stuff. This works closely with Volunteers, which is where the labour is coming from. (Wolfgang got 'volunteered' for this by Karin by the way.)

Demonstrator Co-Ordinator is also known as 'head animal wrangler'. This will involve all the aspects of getting the demonstrators fed, housed, equipped as required. (Darrell took this primarily because he knows the larger number of the demonstrators personally)

Volunteers Co-Ordinator will get those work shift lists made and filled out. At the event will be responsible for getting bodies to the work stations as scheduled. Expect a certain level of confusion over the conference! (why its separated from Site Manager).

Registration was the task Shirley volunteered for. She has a clear idea how she wants to structure this. Karin, as current OABA treasurer, will assist on the Financial end of this area.

Gallery Kelly is on this area, working up a draft proposal on her concepts. This may include a longer term juried exhibit, likely with a web component. There is likely to be direct involvement in the program design here.


People with skills, experience and TIME are sought for:

Promotions - will include media contacts, advertising, information to affiliated organizations. There is likely to be some integration required with Sponsors.

Grants & Sponsors - ideally this will be someone with past experience navigating the mine field of Government Grants. Most important may be contacting corporate level for donations of goods and services. Even small scale local business may be able to assist CanIRON - and every little bit helps out. (Free coffee from Tims?)

Equipment - is a large and keystone responsibility. It would include forges, tools, AV. In many cases this would have a construction phase well before the event. Key will be getting a requirements list, then canvasing the general membership for some idea what can be loaned.


If you are interested in any of these specific positions, or just helping out with CanIRON8 generally:
Please contact Darrell via e-mail (caniron@warehamforge.ca).

Kelly Smyth - Demonstrator Profile

Kelly Smyth
ChaddsFord, Pennsylvania
web profile

With nearly all experience in blacksmith shops using traditional tools and techniques (often without electricity), Kelly is convinced it is the easiest way to make accurate copies of hardware for either newly constructed historic ships or buildings. Smyth spent five years in a blacksmith’s costume at Colonial Williamsburg before connecting with shipbuilder Allen C. Rawl and his Kalmer Nyckel. She’s also participated in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and consulted with the Smithsonian to review hardware recovered from Cleopatra’s Barge. Built in Salem, Mass., in 1816, it was owned by the king of Hawaii when it sank in 1824. Past projects include all the hand forged hardware for the new version of Discovery (1607) at Jamestown Settlement in Virginia and the John Smith 400 Shallop, an eighteenth century topsail schooner, originally constructed in Chestertown on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Dry land work has included hardware for the new Print House (1672) at Historic St. Mary’s City on Maryland’s western shore, both colonial capitols in the seventeenth century as well as private commissions.

Forge welding heavy ship's fittings (Image by Chris Queeney)

18th Century Door Latch
Private Commission, Esssex County VA

Chain Plates for the Discovery, Jamestown Settlement

Kelly does not currently support a web site

Event Flier ? - Historic Strikers

The CanIRON team is putting together a simple 4 x 9 inch 'rack card' styled handout to help remind people about CanIRON 8 and get them the basic facts about the event. Working with our graphic designer, Barbara Pearn of ColourPix, four (very fast - very rough!!) concepts are being considered. Note that the specific image shown here may not be the one chosen, its more just to express the idea.
Second thing is that the logo seen on these is NOT the final version which Barb is also designing for us!


Number 4 - the Stikers:
What this image does is echo the slogan 'Forging Friendships', as well as reflecting the historic nature of the blacksmith's occupation.

Event Flier ? - Demonstrators

The CanIRON team is putting together a simple 4 x 9 inch 'rack card' styled handout to help remind people about CanIRON 8 and get them the basic facts about the event. Working with our graphic designer, Barbara Pearn of ColourPix, four (very fast - very rough!!) concepts are being considered. Note that the specific image shown here may not be the one chosen, its more just to express the idea.
Second thing is that the logo seen on these is NOT the final version which Barb is also designing for us!

This version : the DEMONSTRATORS
The work seen here is Jake Powning, Brian Russell & Paul Allen. The intent is to pick a number of dramatic images showing work from our demonstrators, which also will convey the range of work being presented at CanIRON 8

Event Flier ? - Work Closeup

The CanIRON team is putting together a simple 4 x 9 inch 'rack card' styled handout to help remind people about CanIRON 8 and get them the basic facts about the event. Working with our graphic designer, Barbara Pearn of ColourPix, four (very fast - very rough!!) concepts are being considered. Note that the specific image shown here may not be the one chosen, its more just to express the idea.
Second thing is that the logo seen on these is NOT the final version which Barb is also designing for us!


Number 2 - a Dramatic Closeup of Work
For the rough, the work seen is some of Brian Russell's. The heavily forged and textured elements suggest the detail and complexity possible with hand work.

Event Flier ? - Forge Weld

The CanIRON team is putting together a simple 4 x 9 inch 'rack card' styled handout to help remind people about CanIRON 8 and get them the basic facts about the event. Working with our graphic designer, Barbara Pearn of ColourPix, four (very fast - very rough!!) concepts are being considered. Note that the specific image shown here may not be the one chosen, its more just to express the idea.
Second thing is that the logo seen on these is NOT the final version which Barb is also designing for us!



This is the first one : Dramatic Forge Weld
Hey - you gotta love a forge weld! One thing for sure however, you all reading this are blacksmiths yourselves, so there can't be any phony / staged 'oil on the anvil' crap.

Brian Russell - Demonstrator Profile

Brian Russell
Little Newsham, County Durham, England
www.littlenewshamforge.com


" Towards the end of my four years at art college, the thought entered my head that it might be fun to be a blacksmith. I really wanted to serve an apprenticeship with a blacksmith, but in early 1970`s England they were very thin on the ground. There was no BABA or ABANA, no internet, no way of contacting other like minded people. I was offered a forge in a lovely old farming village in the north east of England and opened up for business in 1976, armed with two books by Fritz Kuhn and copies of the Cosira books : "A Blacksmith Craft," and "Wrought Ironwork". Shortly afterwards, I had a couple of short visits from a Cosira instructor, Ron Brown, who arrived with a bag full of ram`s heads, snails and leaves of all descriptions. This opened my eyes to possibilities that I had previously not considered; decorative features did not have to be scrolls! The founding of The British artist Blacksmiths Association in 1978 had a major impact on the work that I was designing and making. I was able to meet and see the work of craftsmen from all over the UK who had been established for years, producing amazing shapes of all descriptions in forged metal. This was a big eye opener for me, I had to go out and find a power hammer, to enable me to work bigger sections, and quicker!
" I do prefer architectural scale work,with as many forged elements in it as possible, so it will be fun to make. It`s a good feeling to have a pile of forgings on the floor at the end of the day. I don`t buy components from catalogues, for me it would be wrong to include pieces designed and made by others in my work, no matter how good the quality or how cheap. Having said that,for some jobs we do have blanks either laser cut or gas profiled to be forged into finished shapes by us. I continuously try to come up with new ideas, it`s not always easy,as there is so many clever blacksmiths out there now, and I have designed so much myself over the years, that it is difficult to come up with new forms.
" I try to make the work that we do as varied as possible, although there is no getting away from natural forms, is there? We love rivetted gates, with mortice and tenon joints,whether large or small. Sometimes these have traditional forms but more often with a design that hopefully will stand out as being different. Forge welding is a process I really enjoy, and use as much as possible. I think that most people regard me as a craftsman that will only work traditionally, and while I do prefer to work in this way, I do take on sculptural projects that by the size and the nature of the design, make it necessary to use modern methods as well. "


Barley Hand Rails
These rather more contemporary features are to be found on a cottage that was formerly a malt house. They feature heads of Barley and germinating grains.

"We are lucky in having a good client , a property developer who keeps coming back for more work,and gives me a pretty free hand with the design.This is an old cottage he owns which used to be a malthouse, so I tried to incorporate this aspect of it`s history. All the elements are forged but the assembly is a fabrication job.If I remember correctly,the grains are swaged from 70mm round, the tools made from a pattern turned on our old lathe.We make a lot of these tools, you can reproduce almost any shape of a circular section."


Table Candle Holders
A pair of candleholders showing how plant forms can be used with good effect in forged Metalwork.
"...a rare commission for us these days. Although we make quite a lot of candleholders for churches, these were for a private house. It makes a welcome change to do small scale work now and again, I sometimes think we don`t do enough hand forging..."


Brancepeth Screen
A forged steel screen, backed by toughened glass, in the ancient church of St. Brandon near Durham.

" This piece is in a church dating from the 11th century. It is a screen glazed with toughened glass to provide a quiet room in the church.It was far too big to fit through the church door,so a window had to be taken out ,and the 800 kg screen passed through on edge ( with 75 mm clearance).It was a delicate operation. "


Also on Brian's web site: An extensive portfolio of his past work, primarily architectural pieces. On the front page is a slide show feature that shows concept drawings which fade into an image of the competed works. On the 'Image Gallery' are many of his (high quality!) design drawings.

TEAM LEADERS for CanIRON 8

As you are sure to guess, mounting an event like CanIRON 8 is a huge task. From some initial meetings about a year back, Brad Allen and Darrell Markewitz took on the early concept work for the event. Starting in the fall, Mick Smith joined, assisting on the selection of a final site and the recruiting of the featured demonstrators.

Starting with a meeting in December, there are now a number of people working as the core organizing team. to keep things working quickly, this group will be kept small, at least for the first stages of the process. A smaller group, conferring mainly via e-mail, is able to make decisions more quickly.
This is the list of the core team leaders - the people who have said they would assume these tasks:

Site Manager - Wolfgang Bleckert (bleckertk AT xplornet.com)
Demonstrator Co-Ordinator - Darrell Markewitz (caniron AT warehamforge.ca)
Volunteers Co-Ordinator - Dan Linkenheld (dlink AT bmts.com )
Registration - Shirley Young (shirley.y AT sympatico.ca)
Gallery - Kelly Probyn-Smith (elfworks AT sympatico.ca )
Equipment - Jean Heroux (Heroux-j AT rmc.ca)
Trouble Shooter - Mick Smith (barbmick AT xplornet.com)

Promotions - VOLUNTEER REQUIRED
Funraising - VOLUNTEER REQUIRED

Site Manager : will include all the logistics of supporting the event. Garbage, security, set up & tear down, all the fun stuff. This works closely with Volunteers, which is where the labour is coming from.

Demonstrator Co-Ordinator : (also known as Head Animal Wrangler). This will involve all the aspects of getting the demonstrators to CanIRON, then fed, housed, equipped as required. (Darrell took this primarily because he knows the larger number of the demonstrators personally)

Volunteers Co-Ordinator : will get those work shift lists made and filled out. At the event will be responsible for getting bodies to the work stations as scheduled. Expect a lot of last minute organization! (why this is separated from Site Manager).

Registration : was the task Shirley volunteered for (and is well suited!). She has a clear idea how she wants to structure this. Karin Bleckert, as current OABA treasurer, will assist on this area.

Gallery : Kelly is bringing her experience from working as part of the Toronto arts community to this area. Along with the traditional work by all, this may include a longer term juried exhibit, likely with a web component. There is likely to be direct involvement in the program design here.

Equipment : would include all forges, tools and required AV. It is expected to include organizing a construction phase well before the event. Key will be getting and idea what can be drawn from the membership.

Promotions : will include setting advertizing rates, recruiting for both paid program ads and possibly working as a vendor co-ordinator at the the event.

Fundraising : is a major task. This would include research and applying for possible grants, hunting for corporate donations. Also checking into smaller donations of materials and services from local businesses. This individual would need to work closely with the Promotions.


- The core organizing team is still looking for interested individuals who could help out with those last two areas, ideally people with past experience.

- Remember that as we get closer to the event, each of the core team areas will require first sub team leaders. There will be lots of work required from the membership in general on conference weekend. If everyone pitches in for a couple of hours, the whole event should come off smoothly!

- If you want to contact any of the team leaders directly - just cut out the AT and replace it with the @ symbol for the correct e-mail address. (This done here to avoid spam!)

FEES for CANIRON 8

As of February 15, 2010, the following fees have been proposed by the CanIRON 8 Team:

Type	Dates	General Admission	OABA Members
Early Bird	before 1/1/11	$225	$200
Pre-Register	before 5/31/11	$250	$225
REGISTER	after 6/1/11	$275	$250
Single Day	at event	$85	$75
Student	any point	1/2 price	1/2 price
Spouse	any point	$50	$50
Under 16		Free	Free

All fees in CANADIAN funds.
Remember that after 7/1/10 the new HST is likely to be applied in addition.

OABA Members in good standing receive a discount to account for their support.

Qualified Students must be currently enrolled full time at secondary or post secondary level.

Any Spouse is that of a fully registered person, and is limited to observation only.

Children are those less than 16 years of age, and will not be allowed any direct hands on participation (for safety reasons).

These fees may be subject to change should changing events dictate.


Addition - Feb 18

The Fergus Sportplex, site of CanIRON 8, will provide CAMPING ON THE GROUNDS.
These sites are set up for RV / trailers, with electric and water hookups. Sharing a site and pitching a couple of tents will make your lodging costs pretty inexpensive!
There will be cafeteria services will be available on site for lunches and diners. Local pubs or fast food are available within a 15 minute walk /short car hop to the grounds.

the Dark Ages Re-creation Company - Demonstrator Profile

the Dark Ages Re-creation Company
Central Ontario

www.darkcompany.ca

" The Dark Ages Re-creation Company is composed of people interested in using living history to research aspects of life in Northern Europe during the Viking Age. This is accomplished through workshops and experimental archaeology where the focus is on developing traditional skills as we create accurate replicas of period artefacts and processes. ... The Company further strives to provide a resource of skilled and experienced historic interpreters and physical demonstrators to museums, schools, and educational programs."

"DARC's Experimental Iron smelting is based on archaeological evidence, and are targeted to recreate the techniques the Viking Era Norse used to smelt iron. ... Our goal is to get a method that first reliably produces iron, and second uses equipment that would have been available historically, and third that matches the archaeological record that we have with regards to blooms produced, smelter and surrounding area layout, and materials."
The link between iron smelting and the Viking Age lies in the fact that the first documented iron production in North America was by the Norse at L'Anse aux Meadows Newfoundland (Vinland) circa 1000 AD. Team members from DARC have demonstrated both historic and practical modern methods for smelting iron before the blacksmithing community : at CanIRON 5 (2005, Annapolis Royal Nova Scotia) and at Quad State (2008, Troy Ohio)

(above June 2005 - An early experiment with all Viking Age equipments
image by Neil Peterson )

May 2005 - Taping slag from a firebrick furnace.
image by Neil Peterson

At Quad State - View of a simple clay smelting furnace in operation.
image by Darrell Markewitz

November 2009 - starting to hammer work the hot bloom
image by Darrell Markewitz

DARC maintains considerable information on its ongoing research work on the web, including its experimental iron smelting.
Further information on DARK's work is also to be found on the web site of Darrell Markewitz, which includes YouTube clips as well.

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)