Alex Bealer Blacksmith Association

Christmas is over, so now I can safely post pictures of what I made for my daughter and her husband! I had discussed their likes and dislikes in advance, but they didn't really have an idea what the resulting design looked like before unwrapping it.

From www.abana.org:

Tom Clark died on Saturday November 8th at about 12:30 PM after a long battle with cancer.

A memorial service will be arranged later.

The blacksmithing community has lost a major player and a great supporter of the craft.

While cards are welcome, we have to request that you refrain from calling Thelma Clark. She has had a very rough time this last 2 weeks and needs to rest.

Scholarship winners from the May 2008 drawing:

• John C. Campbell Scholarship - Stephan Fowler
• Stan Strickland Scholarship - Doug Simms
• Floyd Daniel Scholarship - John Myers
• Judd Nelson Scholarship - Houston White III

Congratulations to everyone - we look forward to your demonstrations of your new skills and knowledge!!!!

Sean O'Shea

Here's directions to all ABBA meeting locations for the past 5 years. Some details may have changed. Please feel free to edit and correct (it's open to all!)

Jim Guy

Ben Bradshaw's Shop

Email forwarded from Jim Batson to all Alex Bealer members:

Subject: 2009 Madison Blacksmith Conference

To All,

HOUSING
I have made arrangements with the Red Roof Inn. The room rates have been increased from $49.99 per night to $55.99 with tax. They are redoing the rooms. A conference room is not available as of now. You need to contact me for room requirements. The sooner the better.

As you will recall I had posted that Chris Winterstein has offered that he would give a free workshop to any Affiliate that signed up 20 new members or renewed expired memberships.

Last week I checked the ABANA membership roster for new memberships and renewed expired memberships. OBG has gotten 20 and has started making arrangements with Chris for his workshop.

Appalachian Area Chapter has gotten 26 and I have advised them to start making their plans with Chris.

The new newsletter (final version) is here! The May meeting will be held at Tony's

Jim

There were a couple of posts looking for a good anvil. Late last week Centaur Forge posted a list of items on clearance ( see http://www.centaurforge.com/clearance.pdf ) which included 5 100 lb Delta TFS anvils for $285, rather than the normal $494. You still have to pay shipping from Wisconson ($100?). But if any are left, it's a good deal.

(I must admit, I didn't post this until I tried to snag tha Vaughn 185 lb swage block for $201. . . It was too late. The salesman I talked to said "it sold so fast it made our heads swim . . .").

Blacksmithing Classes
Mark Hopper will be teaching Basic to Intermediate blacksmithing at Bradshaw Metal Works in Ball Ground, Georgia. The class curriculum will be tailored to the individual student’s skill level.
Come and improve your blacksmithing skills while making forged items for your home or shop.
Classes will be held on Saturday’s 9:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M. Bring your sack lunch.

We have a Blacksmithing help request from A Boy Scout leader in Toccoa Ga.

Here's his email:
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Hello,
I need help finding a blacksmith artist that can produce a Boy Scout eagle from mild steel. I have attached a picture of subject eagle. This sculpture would be approximately 5 feet high & wide and would be mounted on a wall.
I would very much like to know how to contact anyone that might be willing and able to take on this project. I really don't know where to start, so I searched the internet for Northeast Georgia artists that work in steel. I didn't have much luck.