Alex Bealer Blacksmith Association

I'm setting up my shop and want to find a used 100#+ anvil. If anyone has any leads on where I might find one, please contact me. I'm watching on eBay but so far, no luck. Kathy phone: 706-379-1263 eMail: kday@kbdplanning.com

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By kathyday at 01/29/2008 - 8:37pm | Tools | Supplies, suppliers, and for sale or trade

Wanted: Anvil for new blacksmith
Dear Kathy,

Welcome to the site! I'm always happy to see women in blacksmithing, we are kind of rare. You can also try checking the Farmers Market Journal for an anvil. Once in a while, they list one for sale. You can check it online by going to the Georgia Department of Agriculture site. I can't remember the address, just google it and it's easy to find.

I'll keep my eyes open for you and I hope to see you at a meeting soon. It's not yet posted on our site yet, but there will be a February meeting in Hampton, GA. If you want to come, contact Alfred McClure about directions and details. His email is ironstash@comcast.net. His company is hosting and he can tell you about the demonstration and open shop. Or just check back on the site, I expect it will be posted soon.

Linda Holmes-Rubin

Linda Holmes-Rubin

By lindahr at Wed, 01/30/2008 - 11:41am | reply
Anvil & more
Linda,
Thanks for responding! I did attend the meeting at Corinna's in January but it was a very cold, nasty day and I know it kept some people away. I will enjoy meeting you, as I agree there aren't many of us! We live in Young Harris, (way north) so, I'll have to see what else is going on that weekend, if I want drive that far. I really learned alot at the first meeting, so I'd like to come as often as I can.

I'm also in search of a post vise. Went over to the Folk School (it's only 10 miles from me) the other day to look closer at some things in the shop there and came close to buying a used anvil from a guy in the class, but it really wasn't big enough. I'll check out the Farmers Market Journal.
Thanks for the info!
Kathy

By kathyday at Fri, 02/01/2008 - 11:33am | reply
Blacksmithing Tooling
Kathy, If no luck right away,in April the Flea Market at Rabun Gap on Highway 441 just north of Mountain City might have tooling. It is a hit-and-miss thing and the pricing varies all over the place, but I have seen some good things there and it is worth visiting and near you. If you make it to the February meeting,and I do as well,I might be able to help with other items.

By John Myers at Fri, 02/01/2008 - 6:50pm | reply
Good starter anvil.
Kathy,
How is the wheel rim working out?
A good starter anvil is sold at Harbor Freight.
It's usually less than 100 dollars.
It is not a great anvil, but it will get you started.
I bought mine three years ago, its banged up and dented (it's not hard enough), and won't be any good for fine work later.

Torch!

By Torch Mullins at Sun, 02/03/2008 - 10:14pm | reply
Torch, Guess I'll never live
Torch,
Guess I'll never live down that the first time I won something (the wheel rim) it was because I was the only one with a ticket in the cup!! Ha! Haven't tried to do anything with it yet. We're working on getting the shop built/modified to work. May use it for a portable stand when I find a post vise.

John, not sure yet if I'll be there Saturday, been gone on vacation for a week and just got back tonight, depends on how the week goes. I will keep the April Flea Market in mind, love a good excuse to poke around those places anyway. Is it associated with Golden Memories Auction in Mtn. City, do you know?

Kathy

By kathyday at Sun, 02/10/2008 - 8:02pm | reply
New Blacksmith--scholarships
Dear Kathy,

I also wanted to let you know that there is a new scholarship being set up in honor of Vance Baker. Vance was my first blacksmith teacher and a real sweetheart and he especially enjoyed introducing women to blacksmithing. The scholarship is at John Campbell and is for beginner women blacksmiths--sounds like a fit to me! Information is below. (Also, for all other women blacksmiths! There should be more of us, I know I'm not the only one whose Mom couldn't keep her clean!.)

Vance Baker, a retired line foreman for the utility board in Athens, TN, began blacksmithing in the 1970's.
Over the years, Vance taught blacksmithing at the John C. Campbell Folk School, as well as at the Appalachian Center for Crafts. Some of his skilled reproduction work can be seen at Fort Loudoun in Vonore, TN.

As Vance honed the craft that he loved over several decades, he especially loved introducing beginners to
the world of blacksmithing.

This scholarship, founded by two self-described
"Vance Baker groupies" is intended to carry on that tradition. This scholarship specifically reaches out to women, as an underrepresented group in the blacksmithing community, to begin to share in this time honored craft.

APPLICATION CRITERIA and GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Any female beginner student age 18 and older who has a strong interest in pursuing blacksmithing may apply.

2. The scholarship has been established to allow such a student the opportunity to take a beginning level blacksmithing class at John C. Campbell Folk School. Visit www.folkschool.org for a list of classes.

3. The scholarship is intended to cover class fees, material fees, and housing expenses. The scholarship does not cover any travel expenses. Scholarship amount will not exceed $1,000 and will be paid directly to the Folk School. One scholarship will be awarded per year.

4. Applications must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2008 and the recipient will be notified by April 15th, 2008. Applicants should take this into consideration when selecting a class.
5. To apply, please send an email inquiry to:
VBakerMemorialScholarship@earthlink.net
with the subject line APPLICATION. Include your name and address and preference for mail or email correspondence. Application materials and instructions will be mailed or emailed to you.

Yes, I would love to donate to:

THE VANCE BAKER MEMORIAL

SCHOLARSHIP FUND!

If you would like to donate right now, it's easy. Just print this form, fill it out, detach, and mail it along with your donation to:

Vance Baker Memorial Scholarship Fund

c/o RJ Hadle

13240 Bradyville Pike

Readyville, TN 37149

Please make your check out to RJ Hadle.

Linda Holmes-Rubin

By lindahr at Wed, 02/13/2008 - 2:33pm | reply
Anvil for new blacksmith
The most recent Farmers Market Bulletin has an anvil and a post vise listed in Douglasville. The name listed is Earl Albertson, phone 770-942-2455.

Linda Holmes-Rubin

By lindahr at Thu, 02/14/2008 - 7:49pm | reply