Guild of Metalsmiths ,
Activities, workshops and meetings

last updated: May 08, 2008

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Whats Happening in the Guild of Metalsmiths? Scheduled: Conferences , Old Conferences , Exhibitions , Workshops , Meetings , Hammerins For a current issue of our Monthly Newsletter listing meetings, workshops, and other news; check out The Forum . Last month's news and next month's schedule.

What do we do? Who are these Metalsmith Guild members anyway?

• "The Metalsmith's Madness"
            Guild of Metalsmiths 30th Annual Fall conference - 2007

  September 21^th, 22^th, and 23^th
  at the Little Log House Threshing Grounds (Map)
  
  
  !!! Conference Schedule Link !!!
  !!! Conference Brochure (largish files) !!! Conference Brochure, inside Conference Brochure, outside

  
  

  Bring your Gallery items, just like these from 2004!

  (Gallery open at 1:00pm Friday Sept. 21 to receive your items!)

• Upcoming

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  •     Guild of Metalsmiths 30th Annual Fall conference - 2007

    
    Jay Close and L. Japheth Howard
    to demonstrate
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    Jay Close: While pursuing a teaching credential in industrial arts education, Jay Close became associated with the Historic Trades program of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He served as an apprentice in the historical blacksmiths trade program for eight years and was granted journeyman status in 1994. He served an apprenticeship to Master Blacksmith Peter Ross. He worked as blacksmith in the historic area of Williamsburg supplying period style ironwork to support the Foundation’s programs until 1999. He left Colonial Williamsburg to pursue his own work, particularly research into the ornamental ironwork of early 18th century England. Jay continues to experiment with historical approaches to ironwork and has been involved in workshops and ironwork demonstrations throughout the United States.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    L Japheth Howard

    
    Born in Silver City, New Mexico, Japheth began his career as a blacksmith at 15 when his interest in history and archeology led him to try forging replicas of antique iron tools he had excavated. Following the example of his artist parents, Cecil and Marilyn Howard, he soon began to design and make his own work in this new medium. As an apprentice, he was able to turn his full attention to the vocation that has absorbed him for the next eighteen years. Without a formal course of instruction, he followed the traditional route of the journeyman, working with established smiths in various parts of the Unite States. This included a two-year intern position at the National Ornamental Metal Museum in Memphis TN. While teaching classes, installing exhibits, and executing restoration and commissioned projects in the museum's demonstration workshop, Japheth came in contact with metalworkers worldwide. Such exposure gave him the opportunity to spend a year in the workshop of Richard Quinnell Ltd. in Surrey, England. Here was an unparalleled opportunity to work with very fine craftsmen entrusted with the restoration of important historic pieces and the building of the very best contemporary work. In the process, he has gained a reputation for high quality work and fine craftsmanship. In addition to designing and making architectural metalwork, he and his wife, metalsmith Alice A. James have been invited to teach several blacksmithing classes each year. These classes at various craft schools through out the U.S. reflect a growing public interest in ironwork, as well as the emergence of a new generation of artist blacksmiths. Teaching others is particularly rewarding to Japheth as a way of ensuring that this once dying craft continues to expand and develop.
    
    
    

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    Hammerins

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    Exhibitions

    • Visit the Gallery at the Fall Conference to see some of the finest Metalwork in the Midwest

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    Scheduled Meetings

    The Guild of Metalsmiths meet at various locations around Minnesota and Western Wisconsin, on the second Wednesday of the even months of the year. Meetings start at 7PM, Pot luck social time at 6:30.
    Are you curious?   Prospective and former members are always welcome to stop by a meeting and see what we are up too.

    
    
    
    

    • June 11, 2008 Curved Dash Oldsmobile Club (map)
      Program and Host:
      Plan now to attend the June 11 Guild meeting to be held at the Curved Dash Club in Crystal. The theme will focus on a display of antique cars. Nick Heinen, who is “champion” for the program at this meeting, says the following:
      “I visited Gary Hoonsbeen at his home and was impressed with him , his passion and knowledge of pre-1905 steam powered autos, and his shop, which he claims has in excess of 250,000 screws). “He keeps 4 of these autos in his shop and outside his garage in various levels of repair. What I found most interesting was his gas-powered pogo stick; and his old, huge, beautiful restored organ which he demonstrated for me.” For those who are unfamiliar with the term “curved dash,” we learned from the Internet that it describes antique one-cylinder Oldsmobiles manufactured in the very early 20th century and named for the unique shape of the footboard. They look very much like horse-drawn carriages without the horse and are credited as the first high-volume mass-produced automobile.
      
      3455 Florida Ave N
      Minneapolis, MN 55427
      
      Meeting starts at 6:30 pm with potluck, followed by membership meeting.
      
      

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    Workshops

    The Education Committee has workshops planned. Announcements and registration forms will be mailed to current members first. After the mailing has been received by registered members, registration info will be posted here (By order of the Education Committee)

    Classes fill quickly, so be sure to register immediately for those classes you are interested in. Classes are open to all, but workshop registration preference is given to Guild members in good standing.

    General registration for classes opens 10 days prior to the class. (see Guild info: Membership to find out how to become a member.)

    Beginning Blacksmithing Courses

    Due to the demand for a more comprehensive approach to learning the basic skills, we have been scheduling 3 seperate classes, each meeting for four sessions. Each session is taught by a team of instructors so that there is usually 1 instructor for every two students.

    
    Sign up early; members will get their registration materials in the monthly Newsletter; general enrollment will open several weeks later for the remaining workstations.

    For more info on classes contact Gordon Barr

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    For a current issue of our Monthly Newletter listing meetings, workshops, and other news; check out The Forum . Last month's news and next month's schedule. 2007 - 2008 Guild Of Metalsmiths Class Schedule

    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Manager
    Jun 2, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Jun 3, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Jun 9, 2007	Nowthen Hammer-in	.	.	.
    Jun 10, 2007	Nowthen Hammer-in	.	.	.
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    Jun 16, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Jun 17, 2007	Fathers Day	.	.	.
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    Jun 23, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Jun 24, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Jun 30, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Jul 1, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Jul 7, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Jul 8, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Jul 14, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Jul 15, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Jul 20, 2007	Rice County Historical Society	Runs through 7/22/07	.	.
    Jul 21, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Jul 22, 2007	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Jul 27, 2007	Little Log House	.	.	.
    Jul 28, 2007	Little Log House	.	.	.
    Jul 29, 2007	Little Log House	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Manager
    Aug 4, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Aug 5, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Aug 11, 2007	Almelund	.	.	.
    Aug 12, 2007	Almelund	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Aug 18, 2007	Nowthen Threshing Show	.	.	.
    Aug 19, 2007	Nowthen Threshing Show	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Aug 25, 2007	State Fair starts	.	.	.
    Aug 26, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Sep 1, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Sep 2, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Sep 3, 2007	Labor Day	.	.	.
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    Sep 8, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Sep 9, 2007	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Sep 15, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Sep 16, 2007	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Sep 21, 2007	Fall Madness	.	.	.
    Sep 22, 2007	Fall Madness	.	.	.
    Sep 23, 2007	Fall Madness	.	.	.
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    Sep 29, 2007	Instructors Workshop	MSH	.	.
    Sep 30, 2007	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Oct 6, 2007	Forge Welding	MSH - 2-day class	Rome Hutchings	.
    Oct 7, 2007	Forge Welding	.	Gordon Barr	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Manager
    Oct 13, 2007	Architectural Ironwork Design	to be determined	Bob Walsh	.
    Oct 14, 2007	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Oct 20, 2007	Architectural Ironwork Design	to be determined	Bob Walsh	.
    Oct 20, 2007	Tongs workshop	MSH	Bob Johnson	.
    Oct 21, 2007	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Oct 27, 2007	A1 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Oct 28, 2007	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Nov 3, 2007	Minnesota Deer Hunting	Opener	.	.
    Nov 4, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Nov 10, 2007	A2 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Nov 11, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Nov 17, 2007	Wisconsin Deer Hunting	Opener	.	.
    Nov 18, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Nov 22, 2007	Thanksgiving	.	.	.
    Nov 24, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Nov 25, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Dec 1, 2007	A3 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Dec 2, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Dec 8, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Dec 9, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Manager
    Dec 15, 2007	A4 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Dec 15, 2007	Repousse' Day 1 (2 day class)	Myron Hanson Shop	Kirsten Skiles	.
    Dec 16, 2007	Repousse' Day 2 (2 day class)	Myron Hanson Shop	Kirsten Skiles	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Dec 22, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Dec 23, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Dec 24, 2007	Christmas Eve	.	.	.
    Dec 25, 2007	Christmas Day	.	.	.
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    Dec 29, 2007	.	.	.	.
    Dec 30, 2007	.	.	.	.
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    Dec 31, 2007	New Years Eve	.	.	.
    Jan 1, 2008	new Years Day	.	.	.
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    Jan 5, 2008	B1 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Jan 5, 2008	O/A welding	.	.	.
    Jan 6, 2008	O/A welding	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Jan 12, 2008	Lady Slipper	Hanson Shop	Bill & Myron	.
    Jan 13, 2008	Lady Slipper	2 day class ?	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Jan 19, 2008	B2 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Jan 20, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Jan 26, 2008	.	.	.	.
    Jan 27, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Manager
    Feb 2, 2008	B3 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Feb 3, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Feb 9, 2008	.	.	.	.
    Feb 10, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Feb 16, 2008	B4 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Feb 17, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Feb 23, 2008	C1 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Feb 24, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Mar 1, 2008	.	.	.	.
    Mar 2, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Mar 8, 2008	C2 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Mar 9, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Mar 15, 2008	.	.	.	.
    Mar 16, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Mar 22, 2008	C3 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Mar 23, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Mar 29, 2008	Welding 2-day class	.	Bryan Steckman	.
    Mar 30, 2008	Welding	.	.	.
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    Date	Workshop	Location	Instructor	Manager
    Apr 5, 2008	C4 - Blacksmithing Class	.	.	.
    Apr 6, 2008	.	.	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Apr 12, 2008	Basic Joinery	MSH - 2-day class	Rome Hutchings	.
    Apr 13, 2008	Basic Joinery	MSH	.	.
    	.	.	.	.
    Apr 19, 2008	Treadle hammer tooling	TBD	herb Fick	.
    Apr 20, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Apr 26, 2008	Northern MN Metalsmiths	Conference	.	.
    Apr 27, 2008	Northern MN Metalsmiths	.	.	.
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    May 3, 2008	Hammer making workshop	Dick Carlson's shop	Dick Carlson	.
    May 4, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    May 10, 2008	.	.	.	.
    May 11, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    May 17, 2008	Introduction to Blacksmithing	MSH	Gordon Barr	.
    May 18, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    May 24, 2008	Forge Building workshop	Dick Carlson's shop	Dick Carlson	.
    May 25, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    May 31, 2008	.	.	.	.
    Jun 1, 2008	.	.	.	.
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    Class/Workshop Schedule Last Updated on 09/05/07
    By Tom Barnett

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    Notice:

    If you have a Guild of Metalsmiths event that you would like to post on this page.
    Drop me a line.
    Tom Barnett , Happenings editor
    Guild of Metalsmiths
    

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