Guild of Metalsmiths Monthly Discussion Forum

February 2001 Vol 3 Issue 2

Here we are again. Pull up a chair, get your coffee, reading glasses, and writing tools. It is time to discuss the news. The Guild currently has 337 members. Your renewal date is on the mailing label as 20XX.Q (year.quarter).

Gene Olson, editor

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Attention Please!
If your label says. 2001.1 your membership is up for renewal. Please send your $30 dues to:
The Guild of Metalsmiths
PO Box 11423
St. Paul MN 55111

How to Join
Send $30 dues with your name, address, (and if you would) phone numbers -home -shop -fax, email address, web page to the above address.
Gene Olson, editor

Please!

Metalsmith Back Issues

ARE Available
The Guild of Metalsmiths will provide back issues of "The Metalsmith" to members for $3.00 each.
One of the main reasons for doing this is to make the "how-to" articles that are listed in the Metalsmith index available to all members.
To order a back issue, just contact me, Pete Stanaitis anyway you can telling me the volume and the issue number(s) that you want. Send a check made out to "Guild of Metalsmiths" for $3.00 for each issue requested to me at 2476 10th Av, Baldwin, WI, 54002.
Some of the back issues will come from our Guild inventory and others will be reproduced in full by me.
Metalsmith Back Issue Service
Use your most recent copy of the Metalsmith's How-to index to pick out the topics that interest You most. Then, if you don't already have those Metalsmiths in your collection, get them from the Guild of Metalsmiths Back Issue Service!
Back issues of The Metalsmith are NOW available for only $3.00 each, postage included.
To order, write the Volume and Issue number(s) on a slip of paper along with your mailing address. Include a check for $3.00 for each issue made out to Guild of Metalsmiths. Send it to:
Pete Stanaitis
2476 10th Ave.
Baldwin, Wi. 54002
If you have any questions about the service ,
contact Pete at 715-698-2895.

• Board meeting minutes
• More Dec. meeting notes
• Directory updates
• Letters - The Passing of a Friend
• Want Ads
• Next Meeting
• Financial Report - GoM 2000
• Workshops (continuing beginners series)
• Jim Moenck's Bladesmithing Workshop
• Recap of last month's Tin-in
• Bob's Tong Making Workshop

1. Minutes of previous meeting approved

2. Current and new members/committee assignments:
Dave Feterl-President, Todd Erdmann-Vise President, Mike Fratelone-Treasurer, Bill Hanson, Bryan Steckman Bob Johnson-Chairman Education Committee, Myron Hanson-Program Committee, Al Olson-Program Committee, Gene Olson-Chairman Publicity Committee, Don Halverson-Publicity,

Hosts Bob and Mary Fredell
Guests Michelle Heiberg and husband Owen from the Herman Iron Pour.

3. An invitation to participate

August 8th - 12th are the dates for the Hermann Iron Pour #7. Approximately 4000lbs will be poured.
Motels and on site camping are available. There is a parade, street dance, and corn feed in addition to Sand molding and the iron pour. More info at www.alexweb.nnet/hermanironpour/index.html
Cost for participation is $35 + $10 for the sand mold studio.

4. Committee Reports

A-Education committee
Thank-you to Gene for the publicity this year
The Gas Forge workshop on the 27th is full - there may be a repeat.
Fred McCluskey is now the guild librarian
Jim Moenck will give a basic blade workshop on March 31.
Tom Sanders Latch class went well
Pete Stanaitis is developing guidelines for running an open forge.

B-Financial committee
We have $17,240 in checking, up $5743 from last year.
331 Members, 206 need to renew
Received copy of F'00 financial statement
(copy of the yr 2000 Financial statement later in the forum) We need a license for the trailer at Myrons

C-Program committee
The February meeting will be at Linders. April at Toll?
Conference demonstrator topics include copper vessels, member demo inside,
Possible member stations inside, and a library station.

D-Publicity committee
Gene is going to add the Date when reprinting the Coal slips
Barbara Bradley mailed the Forum
The Directory will be updated

5. Old Business

Coal will be purchased this year. We are going back to the West Virginia Coal that was purchased previously. We have approx. 5 tons left. The last purchase cost $3,000.

Pea Coke was brought up as a possible alternative to Coal. Myron is looking into the cost and possible suppliers.

Nowthen - Looking for people in April to put on shutters, doors, and seal roof.

We have good rapport at all guild activity sites and are looking for new and interesting places to have meetings and activities.

501c3 Dave Mariette-Chair, along with Peter Bradley is filling out the application for the change in status to 501c3. If additional info is needed the Board will provide i.e. 5Yr plan.

Video Procedure: Education committee / Fred McCluskey-Librarian
Gene Olson proposes sending videos out in a tyvek envelope with a pre-addressed, pre-stamped video box inside, provided to send tapes back.

Property Inventory:
Steel is at Dave Feterls shop.
Meeting stuff (technical term) is at Myron's in the trailer
Conference stuff is in the truck/trailer at Dick's.

Myron wants his own leather-bound, custom embossed, hand calligraphered, and laminated Directory.

Grants:
Focus for grants is on non-ferrous
$4,000 is grant fund.
There will be a meeting for discussing needed skills and ideas for grants along with the type of pay-back workshop requirements.

Next Board Meeting March 14^th at Fredell's.

Meeting adjorned

At the close of our annual meeting someone asked about the Rommogrot that so many of us enjoyed that night. Arlene Fults claimed authorship and promised to send me her recipe. She did and I am herewith forwarding it to you for possible inclusion in the forum. (If you want a story to go with it I will be glad to give you a couple paragraphs for the
non-scandinavians in our group.)

Here is the recipe for Rommogrot which I promised. Enjoy! ! !

Ingredients:
1 cup butter (or use any combination of butter and Margarine to equal 1 cup)
3/4 Cup of flour
1 quart of whole milk
1 cup of cream
2/3 cup sugar

Directions:
In heavy 2 quart kettle, cook the butter and flour over low heat for 5 minutes.
At same time heat the milk and cream in a separate kettle. **Do not scorch or scald.
Stir some of the hot milk into the butter flour mixture, mix very well.
Then pour in the remaining milk mixture slowly while stirring briskly.
Bring the mixture to a boil. Boil for 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
Remove from heat, stir in the sugar. Either keep hot and serve, or refrigerate.

*** Hints: Rommogrot can be made up to two days ahead, refrigerated and re-heated in a crock pot.
It is usually served with melted butter, and cinnamon sugar.
Different combinations of milk and cream can be used --- must equal 5 cups total.

Arlene Fults
1404 S. Greeley Street, #3
Stillwater MN 55082

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For your interest, here are the lyrics that were handed out:

Jingle Bell Lament

lyrics by M. McEachron

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
Oh what fun it is to forge
on a sunny winter day.
Dashing through the snow,
your apron is aflame
guess you got that forge too hot
and no one else to blame
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells,
Jingle all the way
Is that an ambulance I hear
on a Blacksmiths Holiday!
Working round the clock
fireplace tools not done
and now the wife she wants a set
for that cousin who's a clown. Oie!
Refrain:
Jingle Bells jingle bells
working every day.
My anvils ringing out the songs
of a Blacksmiths Holiday.
Christmas Day is near.
Honey, where's the beer
I've been working night and day
and I've had it up to here!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
working all the day
Oh not fun it is to work
on the Blacksmiths Holiday.
And now the work is done
the forge is put to bed
We gather by the dying coals
and rest our weary heads.
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells
Jingle all the way
we send you on your merry way
for a Blacksmiths Hol-i-dayyyyyy!

BARR, GORDON
BURNSVILLE, MN

HOTZFIELD, BOB
ST PETER, MN

NEWMAN, MARY
MINNEAPOLIS, MN

Welcome Back:

SCHULTZ, DON & BOBBIE
PINE CITY, MN 55063

Address Changes:

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DOREE, ROBERT & DONNA
R & D METAL CRAFT
16072 CO RD 102
BRAINERD, MN 56401

HALL, VERNON
CHANHASSEN, MN

MARIETTE, DAVID Phone changed

MCCLUSKEY, FRED
email

MENART, STEPHAN
Email:

OLSON, HOWARD
Email:

OLSON, OMAR
Email:

ROCHFORD, MIKE
Email:

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Friends at the Guild of Metalsmiths

I am writing to tell you that my husband Doug Augustine passed away on Dec 12^th after a short but painful bout with cancer.
He became ill with severe back pain on Nov. 17^th and after having many tests, CAT scans and MRIs, he was diagnosed with heptamic cancer in the liver lung and spine. On Dec 8^th we finally got the specific diagnosis. The Dr. said it was terminal but thought he had 2-4 months to live. However he went down hill so very quickly and died very peacefully on Dec 12^th at our son and daughter-in-law's home in Bloomington. We had a service of celebration of the life of a wonderful man on Dec. 16^th. Doug leaves a big empty place in my heart and life, but I'm so thankful for the 48½ wonderful years we shared.
Doug always had to be learning something new, thus his interest in metal working and wood carving.
Thanks to all of you for enriching his life.
Sincerely,
Shirley Augustine

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From: "Randy Rau" <rauart@ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Need patina artist in Minneapolis
Date: Saturday, January 27, 2001 11:01 PM
I am a sculptor in Colorado, I am in need of a patina artist in your area to redo a piece that was shipped from my
gallery and the patina was not what was ordered. The patina needed is a standard french brown, any help would be appreciated.
Thanks Randy

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When: March 31, 2001
9am to 4 pm

Where: Minnesota School of Horseshoeing
6250 Riverdale Drive
Ramsey MN 55303
Phone at school: 612-427-5850
(NOT a Guild info number)

Instructors: Jim Moenck
661 Dorland Ave S
Maplewood, MN 55119
Phone: 651-735-4461

Cost: Check payable to: The Guild of Metalsmiths
$20 members $25 nonmembers

Class Size: 8 people

Class Description: We will be covering Blade Shapes, Blade Forging, Hardening and Annealing, Grinding and Finshing. This is an intermediate level workshop. Participants should have basic blacksmithing experience, or have completed the Guild of Metalsmiths' Basics series. You need to know fire control and basic forging processes.

You need to bring: Eye, ear and hand protection. Cotton, wool or leather work clothes, and work shoes. . Tools: Your favorite tools. Hammers, a Flatter if you have one.

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Blade Smithing - Saturday, March 31, 2001

SEND TO: Jim Moenck, 661 Dorland Ave S, Maplewood, MN 55119 Phone: 651-735-4461

$20 members $25 nonmembers - Check payable to: The Guild of Metalsmiths

Name:____________________________________

Address:__________________________________

City:__________________State:______ZIP:_____

Phone:______________________A report on the Tin-in last month.

Dave Brown came in from Green Bay on other business but we took the opportunity to do a bit of tinsmithing and general all round brainstorming.

We had about twenty or so other people show up from as far away as Grand Rapids, Franklin, and Glenwood City, WI.

Dave demonstrated the use of a bar folder, a number of different rolling machines, stakes, and hammers as he made a mug which Roger Degner got to take home.

Joe Straley and Bill Hanson showed off the propane burner that they had built out of plumbing parts from plans found on the internet. Bill said that they had melted cast iron with it the previous weekend. We stuck it into my poorly insulated propane forge and couldn't get it quite that hot but it was pretty impressive. Ran quiet and put out a lot of heat. That was kind of a preview of what they were working up for the forge building workshop.

Lew Chowen dropped by and showed us a 1/4 scale copper model for a hood he is making. It was pretty impressive. Imagine the bell end of a trombone sitting like a cone on the table, now squash it so it is eliptical instead of round on the bottom, Slice it in half vertically along the long axis of the elipse. Okay now cover the surface with flutes. Then, imagine laying out the patterns for those flutes in flat sheet stock, all of them different and having them all fit when you go to put the whole thing together. Wow Lew, you are just too much. Congratulations on a nicely done job.