Guild of Metalsmiths Monthly Discussion Forum

August 2001 Vol 3 Issue 8

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 312 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. 2001.3 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

Checklist - Index
Email working
Call for Metalsmith Articles
Metalsmith Back Issue Service
Metalsmith Search, Help Needed
COAL
meeting notes
Guild Instructors Workshop
Using the Tool Making Workshop
The Fall Conference
Directory updates
Letters
NOMM fund drive (ABANA Archive)
Want Ads
Fuchs Auction
Next Meeting - Sept Board Meeting
August
  Hammerin/welding seminar 4^th
September Workshops
- Instructors, remember the 8^th
- No other workshops scheduled

Laura Ingalls Wilder Days Pepin, WI 15 -16th

Fall Conference 21-22-23rd

Tunnel Mill 29 -30th

Please!

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 or email me at:
spaco@Baldwin-telecom.net

I am putting together a "complete set" of The Metalsmith to be raffled off at the Madness (sometimes called the Fall Conference) and I can't locate certain very old issues.
They are:
Volume 1, numbers 3 through 8
Volume 2, numbers 4 through 8
Volume 3, number 8
Volume 4, number 8
We are almost convinced that these issues were never actually written, so this is my last try. If you have any of these issues, please contact me and I will arrange to
borrow them from you to copy. I will put one copy in the raffle set and one copy in our archives.
Thank you,
Pete Stanaitis
2476 10th Av
Baldwin, WI 54002
715-698-2895
spaco@baldwin-telecom.net

THE COAL

IS HERE

The new shipment arrived on July 6^th.

Genuine Pocahantas coal like we had before.

NEW PRICING
The new Coal cost more than the last shipment. It seems that the Utilities are now bidding on clean coal instead of installing scrubbers on their stacks. As a result the price has gone up.

The New prices:

5 gal bucket *- $5.50 including sales tax.
(Guild measuring bucket not your 5 1/4 gal paint bucket with the airspace on top)
55 gal drum - $50 incl. sales tax.
Ton price (1/2 ton minimum) $200/T

(*Individual samples may vary, but our samples of the new coal weighed in at ~35#/five gal pail)

July 11, 2001 at the home of Bob and Mary Fredell, Minneapolis, MN

The meeting was called to order by President Dave Feterl

Present: Dave Feterl, Mike Fratalone, Bill Hanson, Myron Hanson, Bob Johnson, Al Olson, Gene Olson., Bryan Steckman

Committee Reports:
Financial Committee:
Mike Frattalone reported $18358.59 in the treasury (after coal purchase and prior to bill for shipping) 321 members. 501C3 committee has turned in its report. (More under Old business)

Education Committee:
Bob Johnson reported that the coming years classes are shaping up. Instructors for the basic classes have been recruited and will attend the Instructors workshop on Sept 8^th, to sharpen their teaching skills.
Currently the next scheduled class will be Dave Marriette's Forge Welding class on October 13 - 14^th, and the committee is still filling in the open weekends. Beginners classes will start in November.

Program Committee:
Al Olson reported that plans for the Fall conference were well under weigh. There was some discussion about making sure each demonstrator had an able assistant, probably one of our instructor types, someone who can anticipate needs and keep things going for them. (eg. Stoke the fire, and bring things to heat as they will be needed. Strike, make sure tools are where they are needed, etc. . . .)
Each area has a chairman and we need volunteers. (See the article on the "Madness" later in the Forum)

Bryan Steckman reported on the Nowthen Hammerin. A good time was had by all.

Publicity Committee:
The July Forum was printed and mailed July 4.
Gene Olson noted that 2 of the volunteers (Paul Bondus and Al Olson, THANKS guys!) had turned in their lists of verified/corrected phone numbers for the directory. (since then, Charlie Bateman sent in his, thanks) (The rest of you VOLUNTEERS, Please get your lists in ASAP)

Old Business:
Coal Purchace
The Coal is here. (Pochahontas #3) It cost more so new pricing is in effect. (See the notice on page one for particulars.)

501C3 Committee:
The committee has returned its report. It has filled in the major portion of the paperwork. Per Mike Frattalone's observation, the board agreed that some additional language re. our involvement with other educational and nonprofit institutions should be added/revised. The application was turned over to Board members Bill Hanson and Gene Olson to carry forward. Gene will contact George Sutton (the producer of the Leonardo da Vinci Days at the Science Museum and a member of the State Arts Board) Mr. Sutton offered to help us find a law firm to carry this forward on a pro bono (free to us) basis. (If you ever run into George, please say thanks; THANKS)

MTM Shop Visit:
Toooooo busy. We still need to get over to visit the Minnesota Transportation Museum facility to evaluate it/them as a potential partner/educational site/ whatever. This is placed on the to do list for the next board meeting.

Guild Book Library:
There was discussion about establishing a lending library. We have some books now, but no procedure for lending them.

New Business:
Grants
No new Grants, Jerome did not come thru Gene's grant request is withdrawn.

End of Class Project documentation:
Problem of turning in documents on time was discussed, Education committee felt that the problem has been addressed and shouldn't happen again.

Letter from Marcia McEachron:
Marcia has asked for an increase to produce the Metalsmith. There was discussion about the amount of work, certain print quality problems that some members did not feel were being addressed, issues of convenience and publication costs. In the end a motion was made to make a proposal of $300 per issue and that the publicity committee, Marcia, Karen Boberg, and the editorial board all get together and discuss what can be done to expedite and improve publication of the Metalsmith.

Other pertinent Discussion
Dave Feterl noted that Marcia's request in no way paid her a wage for the time spent but was rather a reimbursement for overhead expenses incurred while producing the Metalsmith. Dave further noted that the publication of the "Forum" had become an integral part of running the Guild and that on a yearly basis was of about the same volume of work and expense, he then proposed an amendment to pay the editor of the Forum $100/ issue to reimburse overhead expenses. Both the Amendment and the issue passed, with one abstention.

Blacksmithing Study Guide Plaques
With regard to the advertisement for the walnut plaques by mail in last month's Forum; the Board noted that the plaques were intended as a achievement award signifying a certain level of competency, including peer review of work samples and not simply a certificate that a course had been completed. Certificates for those having completed the course will be issued. (Bob's offer still stands for those of you who completed the final class project, as it was reviewed by the instructor and by completing it you showed examples of all the skills required for the first level award on your achievement plaque.)

Next Meeting:
General Membership August 8^th at Dave Mariette's shop in Roseville.
Next Board Meeting Sept 12^th 2001 at Bob and Mary Fredells

Mail reviewed

Meeting Adjourned

Special thanks to Bob Fredell who came back from "da lake" to open the house for our meeting.

The 6^th Guild Instructors Workshop will be held September 8^th in anticipation of another series of basics Workshops.

The agenda for this year's workshop has been completed, handouts selected and about 15 participants listed.

The Instructors Workshop has evolved, improving annually in meeting its goal of preparing instructors to teach basic blacksmithing processes.

Each year several new people attend, often having just completed the basics. The new people renew the instructor group and get an opportunity to improve their own skills.

A special note of "Thanks," to Bob Fredell and Pete Stanaitis, for developing and continuing the Instructor's Workshops.

Thanks to all who share so generously of their time and talents.

Bob Johnson,
for the education committee

Jim Scott called and pointed out that the tool making workshop is just that, an opportunity to make a tool for yourself, with help from the instructors.

Tools are what we make to get the job done.
If you have a project that needs a special chisel, punch, chasing tool . . . this could be the perfect opportunity to make it.

For instance, many of the projects in the study guide need special tools, butchers, rivet sets, slitting chisels. Look at them and find a tool you will need. Jim says he'll help you make it.

If you haven't registered yet. The fee for members was $20 sent to:
Jim Scott
35782 Lake Street
Cohasset, MN 55721
(218) 328-5018
email: "Jim" <elnjws@uslink.net>

September is coming up fast.
Sept 21, 22, & 23, 2001

Time to start planning that masterpiece to show off in the gallery. Time to start thinking about the auction, the comradery and all that. Time to fill out that form and send in your registration.

The GALLERY and OPENING PARTY.

You probably noticed that you got an invitation to participate in the gallery without dates on it and then a registration info package that forgot to mention Friday activities, and Friday the 21^st is an important day, we're gonna have a party and get the show on the road.

(I think that must be because those authors probably wanted all those Hors douvers to themselves at the gallery opening. <grin>)

Friday the 21 of September

We will set up the conference, put the gallery together, and then we will have a Gallery Opening and party to celebrate the beginning of the Fall Conference.

We need your help, lots of hands make light work and the more the merrier at the party.

Call for Conference Volunteers

We will need help setting up the Conference. Of course, we'll be glad to put you to work if you can get there early, maybe, (what with our hectic schedules) but we need a core of people to get things going.

Here are the people to contact.

Front Desk Administration Mike Frattalone
Need desk help.
Gallery Gene Olson
Setup starting about 11 AM.
(tools needed, volunteer army)
Organize, label and display gallery items need people.

Gallery knockdown
(tools needed, volunteer army)

Meals Dick Carlson
set up and clean up crews
Demonstrators Al Olson
Demonstrator gopher / tendor per station (here is your opportunity to get on a first name basis with the demonstrator)
Video/Sound technician per station, (how 'bout that video camera?)
Raffle Items Myron Hanson

Back Issues of Anvil's Ring (1987)
Back Issues of Metalsmith (Vol 3 on) Pete Stanaitis
Vise, Stand and Tray Myron Hanson
Propane Forge Bill Hanson
Benchtop English Wheel Don Hammer

Live Auction Myron Hanson
Live auction stage clerk needed
Silent Auction Corky Kittelson
Set up and bid sorters

Open Forge Area Bob Johnson
Instructor types needed

Oversee Tailgating John Yust

Family Activities Sheri Stanaitis

Cannon Falls Antique shopping Irma Carlson
Grounds
Dick Carlson / Don Hammer
Help keeping the place clean.

Address Changes:

ENGSTROM, CURT & ERNA moved to Brooten, MN

STANAITIS, PETE AND SHERAN email changed

STANAITIS, ROCK

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To the Members:
I was a bit surprised by the generous offer by the board to pay for some of the cost of producing this little rag. I did not ask for it, but did not oppose it either. (I didn't vote)
As many of you have guessed it takes more than just a couple of hours a month to put this notice together and get it in the mail. It is a lot to ask of a volunteer and the fee to cover overhead costs will be welcomed by whomever is sitting under this hat, and hopefully it will make it easier for them to wear.

Editor,
Gene Olson.

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National Ornamental

Metal Museum

374 Metal Museum Drive

Memphis TN 38106

www.metalmuseum.org <http://www.metalmuseum.org>

River Bluff Forge Council Repair Days Auction to Benefit NOMM Library

Call to craftspeople for auction items

On the evening of October 20, 2001, the River Bluff Forge Council, the Memphis ABANA chapter, will sponsor a public auction. Proceeds from this Repair Days event will be donated to the National Ornamental Metal Museum's Capital Campaign for the restoration of an historic building to house the Museum's Library.

For the Museum, it's a double-your-money proposition in that the River Bluff Forge Council's donation of the auction proceeds will be matched by an anonymous charitable organization.

Please support the creation of a world-class library on all facets of metalworking by donating items for the auction.

Works/ objects should be sent to the National Ornamental Metal Museum at the above address to arrive by October 10. Repair Days volunteers may bring items they wish to donate if they don't want to ship them.

Thanks for your support,

Richard Carr, President
River Bluff Forge Council
Evening phone: 901-872-4009

Jim Wallace, Director
National Ornamental Metal Museum
901-774-6380
email: metal@wspice.com

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Due to the transient nature of Items for sale, All want ads are listed on the exchange page.

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Coming in September

Laura Ingalls Wilder Days

Pepin, WI

Sept 15 -16th

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Fall Conference

Sept 21-22-23rd

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Tunnel Mill

Sept 29 -30th