Albert Paley

Just making sure you've heard of this guy: Albert Paley.  He's one of our Hero's.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RtWcY5wbI8

Bighorn Forge

Kriev's been ooogling over Dan Nauman's blacksmithing.  He's daydreaming about where to go / who to learn some blacksmithing from once he's wealthy from tree planting.  So far Dan from Bighorn Forge is pulling on his heart strings.  With a focus on tradition, this guy is straight up classy.  Just look at his logo! :)

You'll find a concise description of classes he offers here: (including one-on one opportunities!)

http://bighornforge.wordpress.com/forging-workshops-by-dan-nauman/

http://www.bighornforge.com

Kriev's hard work has been paying off!

 Fire poker by KRiev.  
See it's beautiful handle on the left! :)

7th International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art

I am so excited to have found out that the 7th International Conference on Contemporary Cast Iron Art is being hosted at the Pedvale Open-Air Art Museum in Latvia during the week of the national Latvian celebration of the Summer Solstice from June 19 – 23, 2014. This conference will explore the conceptual and aesthetic context of sculptural iron casting and its effect on contemporary art, forms of ritual and the transformation of landscape. The conference will be a platform to share ideas, processes and work, and will contribute to the aesthetic and cultural dialogue of sculptural iron casting.
http://www.internationalfe14.com/

Kriev's family stems back to Latvia, so it would be an amazing experience!  A part of me wants to fill out a travel grant asap and go... but Kriev will be tree planting, so not this year I guess :(  Who knows, maybe I'll go alone? hehehee...  I'm thinking about it, that's for sure.

Here's a really interesting link about the History of cast iron: https://www.internationalfe14.com/history/

and you have to check out this link they have to "Transmission." The act of the pour itself, or “Transmission,” was intended to redescribe the car in relation to the material of its own creation and our own experience...   http://www.tamsie.com/Transmission.html

the guild is in formation!

Keep an eye on our NW ON metalsmith guild meeting updates here: http://pikelakeforge.blogspot.ca/p/lake-superior-metalsmiths-canadian.html