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Dedicated to Francis Whitaker, 1906-1999
2014 ROCKY MOUNTAIN BLACKSMITHING
CONFERENCE XXIV
August6—August10,2014CarbondaleColorado
Rocky Mountain Smiths is pleased to announce the Rocky Mountain Blacksmithing Conference XXIV, held at the Francis Whitaker Blacksmith School on the campus of the Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale, Colorado. Check‐in begins Wednesday, August 6 at 1:00 P.M., with dinner at 5:30. Demonstrations begin Thursday, August 7, at 8:00 A.M. and run through Saturday, August 9. Featured are demonstrations by well‐known smiths, hands on forging clinics, a forging competition, a gallery and silent auction. The conference promises to be a sharing and inspirational experience, and we invite you to participate. Lodging and meals are available at the conference site and motels and camping are nearby. The Carbondale area boasts some of the finest summer activities in the state. There’s ample time to socialize and enjoy the Colorado summer. Come early and stay late! ABOUT THE WHITAKER BLACKSMITH SCHOOL
The Francis Whitaker Blacksmith School was established in 1989 following Francis’s closing of the Mountain Forge in
Aspen. The school is an excellent teaching facility. There are six forges located in the center of the shop. Each is fully
equipped with the necessary hand tools and post vise. Work tables, layout table and other equipment line the perimeter of
the large and well-lit shop. Specialized jigs, fixtures and study pieces hang on the walls. Evening open forging sessions
will be held at which you may practice what you have learned.
DEMONSTRATORS
It is a pleasure to introduce our demonstrators, all masters of their craft. On the following pages you will find brief bios of
this year’s four demonstrators. Mindy Gardner, Peter Ross, James Makely and James Honig. A group project will also be
done. The demonstrators will be available in the evenings during Open Forge.
Mindy Gardner Mindy Gardner became interested in chasing and repose after attending a blacksmithing conference with her husband Mark in 1997. In 1999 after reviewing her notes from the conference she began attending the school of hard knocks and taught herself to do chasing and repose using the treadle hammer. Mindy has always enjoyed drawing and found that using chasing and repousse techniques to be an excellent way to transfer her drawings on paper to “drawings” on metal. Mindy juried into the Illinois Artisans Program in 1999 in both metals and mixed media. In 2002 she was invited to represent the State of Illinois by making an ornament for the official White House Christmas tree. The ornament is now part of the permanent White House Ornament Collection. Mindy demonstrated at the 2004 ABANA Conference in Richmond, Kentucky and articles and pictures of her work appear in books and magazines. Mindy says “I plan to demonstrate how I do the different detail work in my pieces from fish scales, feathers, hair patterns, and using lines to show direction and depth. Also I will show how to texture the sheet steel before beginning the work and finishing the piece including using color.” Peter Ross
Peterʹs interest in early ironwork developed accidentally as the result of part time employment at a local living history museum. He spent weekends and summers working in the blacksmith shop, watching the pieces he had just made be put to use in correct historic context. After attending the Rhode Island School of Design and a year studying with blacksmith/whitesmith Dick Everett in East Haddam, CT, he opened his own shop. In 1979 Peter was hired as a journeyman blacksmith by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Two years later he took over the shop as Master; a position he held for 23 years. In addition to reproducing hundreds of different pieces of 18th century hardware, utensils, tools, etc, Peter and staff helped re‐
discover pre‐industrial methods long out of use. For the last 30 years, he has been a frequent demonstrator at ABANA national blacksmith conferences, given hundreds of classes and workshops on historic tools and methods at prominent Craft schools, regional blacksmith conferences, and museum sites. Peter now operates his own business in Siler City, North Carolina making museum quality reproductions of 18th and 19th century hardware. Recent projects include hardware for the distillery at Mount Vernon, door locks for Monticello and Montpelier, and other private restorations. James Makely
James is a Journeyman Blacksmith who began his passion for forging iron at the age of eighteen in his native home of West Virginia. He spent five years learning the craft, alone in an abandoned machinery building, using only a coal forge, anvil, and hammer. The surrounding Appalachian hills were shaping his sense of design during those years. Close contact to the abundant vegetation and wildlife, the remains of a nineteenth and early twentieth century industrial past, and a strong sense of isolation all combined to create an aesthetic he would carry into his metalwork. Today he resides in Littleton, CO, having moved to Colorado in 1998 to become an apprentice blacksmith at Dragon Forge Ltd. Under the tutelage of Craig May, James learned to forge architectural and sculptural works for residences in Vail, Breckenridge, and Cordillera. James has also had the opportunity to work for MacMillan Metalworks, Ltd., Ventana, Inc., David Norrie Studios, and is currently Lead Blacksmith at Living Design Studios Inc. The focus of Jamesʹ craftsmanship has been the hot‐forging of iron, stainless steel, copper and bronze at both the anvil and power hammer. An emphasis on clean lines and intriguing surface characterize works that range from organic to structural. Jamesʹ work often stretches to the experimental, while seeking simplicity in both design and execution. Frequently used themes are the production of complex shapes from single pieces of metal, and the use of traditional methods to produce contemporary forms. John Switzer
My first exposure to blacksmithing was in junior high shop class where we all made a simple cold chisel. Later, in high school, I took metal shop and found myself drawn to the forge and anvil much more than the machine tools or welders. Even though the shop teacher knew little about forging, I was given the freedom to figure it out for myself. Oddly, I was never really interested in wood shop classes. In 1983 I discovered a show on PBS called The Woodwright’s shop. Hosted by Roy Underhill, this show was about traditional hand tool woodworking. I was intrigued by this type of woodworking but had no idea where to locate old tools such as axes, froes, chisels and planes. In Roy’s book by the same name he had a short chapter on blacksmithing that explained how to forge some of these tools. With my very limited prior experiences I thought I could manage to make my own tools. My blacksmithing journey carried me along a different path than that of just making my own woodworking tools. For many years I specialized in making camp goods for re‐enactors. I have slowly been shifting away from the camp iron and have been doing more and more work for woodworkers, particularly hardware such as hinges and chest handles. I am now finally making woodworking tools on a regular basis. I have never found that architectural iron appealed to me much so I am very pleased with the direction my working heading. Our little shop in Beulah is currently a part time business. I hope to retire from my real job in the not too distant future and run the shop as more of a full time business. My demonstration will focus on the forging of an axe. ACCOMMODATIONS
Colorado Rocky Mountain School will provide reasonably priced lodging in double occupancy, shared bath, dorm style
rooms for the evenings of August 6, 7, 8, & 9 and ten meals beginning with dinner on Wednesday the 6th through breakfast
and sack lunch on Sunday August 10th. The cost is $260 per person, double occupancy. There are limited rooms available
and they are given out on a first come first serve basis. Pre-registration and pre-payment is strongly encouraged. Facilities
can accommodate couples, families and singles. Meals for persons with other accommodations are $130 for the 10 meals
provided, or $35 for 3 breakfasts, or 3 lunches, and $40 for 3 dinners only. Again, it is strongly encouraged that you preregister and prepay for meals. All registrants are invited to the Saturday night BBQ - it’s included in your registration fee.
Camping: there will be no camping or sleeping in cars or RVs allowed on the school grounds. Primitive camping
available 4 miles from CRMS at Will Perry’s shop. $20 each to help pay for porta-potty, no other facilities. Pre-registration
only, limited to ten campers. There are local camp grounds in the area. The BrB Crystal River Campground is
recommended. Clean, with good bathrooms and hot running showers, fire rings right on the Crystal River, it's one of the
best bets in the area, only seven miles from the conference. They have cabins and RV & tent sites. It's quite popular so
advanced reservations are highly recommended (970-963-2341).Please visit their web site at www.cabinscolorado.com.
Motels: hotels, bed and breakfasts and camping facilities are located within a 15-mile radius of Carbondale.
GETTING TO CARBONDALE
By Car: Carbondale is approximately 3½ hours (172 miles) from Denver via I‐70. Aspen and Vail are each an hour’s drive away. Grand Junction is 1‐½ hours (89 miles) via 1‐70. From Denver, take 1‐70 west to Glenwood Springs, Exit 116. Take Highway 82 south approximately 13 miles to Highway 133. Turn right onto Highway 133 to Carbondale and continue about a mile to the traffic light with the 7‐11 store on the northwest corner. Turn right and continue as the road bears to right and becomes 106 Rd. Continue on the road until you reach the Colorado Rocky Mountain School. Turn right on Whitaker Road. Registration will be at the blacksmith shop. By Bus: Greyhound provides service to Glenwood Springs. Roaring Fork Transit Authority provides hourly service to Carbondale from Glenwood Springs and from the Aspen airport. www.rfta.com By Train: Passenger train service is available to Glenwood Springs via Amtrak (passenger service, 1‐800‐872‐7245) with daily stops both east and westbound. By Air: Denver International Airport, Sardy Field in Aspen, Grand Junction’s Walker Field, The Avon/Eagle airport.
Conference Registration or Conference Registration Questions/Problems Contact:
John and Janet Switzer
P.O. Box 4, Beulah, CO 81023-0004
Phone: 719 -485-2327
Cell Phone: 303-589-1767
e-mail: [email protected]
Pre-registration is recommended. Confirmation will be sent only if a legible email address or SASE is provided.
Everyone attending the conference, including spouses, must sign and submit the attached liability waiver. Parent
or guardian must sign for each minor. Make copies of waiver form if necessary.
MOUNTAIN SMITHS CONFERENCE GALLERY
Mountain Smiths Conference Gallery is for displaying blacksmiths’ works. All conference participants are encouraged to
bring one or more pieces to show. Smiths of all skill levels are encouraged to exhibit. Please label all items with your name,
and a brief description of the piece. If the piece is for sale please list the price and if not for sale please mark “NFS”. RMS
requests a donation of 10% of all sales. RMS is not able to provide any shipping or receiving services for gallery items. In
addition to the general gallery there will be a special gallery area for ‘New Smiths.’
SILENT AUCTION and IRON-IN-THE-HAT
Everyone is encouraged to contribute blacksmithing works, tools, books and other items of interest to blacksmiths.
Auction pieces will be on display during conference daylight hours and in the evening. Bid on an item by writing your name
and offer on the item’s bid sheet. Minimum bids and increments will be set for each auction item. Auction items will be sold
to the highest proper bidder. Bidding will close at 5:30pm Saturday evening. All winning bids are to be paid for and picked
up at that time.
Iron-in-the-Hat is a drawing for items donated and tickets will be sold during the conference. Drawing will be held just before
the silent auction.
Proceeds of the gallery, silent auction and Iron-in-the-Hat will benefit Rocky Mountain Smiths and other blacksmithing
organizations as determined by the RMS Board.
FORGING COMPETITION
The forging competition always produces something VERY interesting! New smiths and old are encouraged to participate.
It’s very light hearted and a lot of fun. The forging competition takes place after dinner on Thursday evening.
VENDERS and TAILGATERS
If you are interested in being a vender (i.e.: setting inside the gallery with a table, etc., please contact RMS President Scott
Kretschmer for availability. Due to the smaller, more intimate size of both our gallery space and our conference in general,
we limit the number of professional venders. Tailgaters may show up as they like. Anyone is open to be a tailgater and sell
tools, equipment, etc., in our parking lot area. RMS asks that all tailgaters please donate something to either Iron and the
Hat and/or Silent Auction.
Notes about the 2014 Rocky Mountain Blacksmithing Conference:
 Conference check-in will begin at 1:00 p.m. on August 6 and will continue through August 9.
 Registration fee includes RMS membership thru the next fiscal year (Sept. 30, 2015).
 Confirmation will be sent only if a legible e-mail address or a SASE is provided.
 Eye protection required in forging areas. Ear protection is strongly recommended.
THERE IS NO SMOKING ANYWHERE ON THE CRMS CAMPUS
24th Rocky Mountain Blacksmithing Conference, Aug 6-Aug 10, 2014 • Registration Form
Name: _____________________________________________________________________________
Mailing address____________________________City___________________State_____ZIP________
Email (legible) ______________________________________ Phone: (_______) __________________ Full
names of family accompanying you: Spouse/significant other_______________________________
Children/ages: _____________________________________________________________________
EARLY BIRD
postmarked
by July 15
LATE BIRD
$175
$50
$200
$60
postmarked
after July 15
AMOUNT
PAID
REQUIRED CONFERENCE FEE, PER PERSON
includes one BBQ ticket per person
Participant (includes RMS membership for FY 2015)
Spouse / significant other / child 12+. (not your employees!)
Child under 12 no registration fee, but must pay lodging/meals
$
$
LODGING AND MEAL OPTIONS, PER PERSON
You may take lodging and meals elsewhere if you prefer.
Lodging and all meals at school package, including Wednesday dinner, Sunday breakfast and farewell sack lunch. Lodging is
twin bed in two-person dorm room. Blanket, pillow, towel, washcloth included. Shared bath down the hall.
Participant lodging and all meals
Spouse/significant other/each child 12 or older
Child under 12 staying in room with parent(s), each
$ 260
$ 260
$ 50
$ 270
$ 270
$ 60
$
$
$
Meals only package without school dorm lodging. Rates are per person regardless of age (school policy).
All meals, Wednesday dinner through Sunday sack lunch
$ 130
$140
$
Breakfasts only, Thur, Fri and Sat (no Sunday breakfast)
$ 35
$ 40
$
Lunches only, Thur, Fri and Sat (no Sunday sack lunch)
$ 35
$ 40
$
Dinners only, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
$ 40
$ 45
$
$20
Camping is available off-campus. Limited availability.
$20
$
OTHER THINGS YOU MAY WANT
T-Shirts. 100% cotton, $14 in advance, $15 at conference. Order now to avoid disappointment – we will not stock
all sizes at the conference. Indicate quantity of each size/style you want.
Men’s conference logo
S
M
L
XL
XXL
XXXL
Qty x price = $
Men’s RMS logo
S
M
L
XL
XXL
XXXL
Qty x price = $
Women’s conference logo S
M
L
XL
XXL
XXXL
Qty x price = $
Advance purchase 12-DVD 2014 conference video set. All of the conference
Sets x $90 = $
demonstrators will be included.
Extra Saturday Night BBQ ticket for guest
Qty x $15
$
Other
$
$
TOTAL ENCLOSED
Pre-registration is recommended. Confirmation will be sent only if a legible email address or SASE is provided.
Everyone attending the conference, including spouses, must sign and submit the attached liability waiver. Parent
or guardian must sign for each minor. Make copies of waiver form if necessary.
Make check payable to Rocky Mountain Smiths. Mail, along with this form and liability waiver(s), to:
RMS Conference Registrar
*
PO Box 4
*
Beulah, CO 81023
Rocky Mountain Smiths
Liability Waiver to be signed by all attending RMS events
Revised 6/2013
I am signing this waiver so that I may attend a conference, workshop, demonstration or other event sponsored by Rocky
Mountain Smiths, a nonprofit corporation (RMS). I understand that blacksmithing and related activities involve inherent
risks and dangers for both participants and spectators which can cause serious injury or death. I hereby unconditionally
waive any right that I might otherwise have to recover damages or other relief from RMS, it’s officers, directors, members,
employees, agents or other representatives, any demonstrators or other participant in the event and the owner or operator
of any facility at which the event occurs, as a result of any personal injury or property damage that I may suffer in the
course of or in connection with the event, including, without limitation, injury or damage arising out of acts or omissions
constituting negligence or gross negligence or facts or conditions that would give rise to premises liability. I further agree
not to bring any suit based in whole or in part on any claim covered by this waiver. I understand that RMS would not admit
me to the event in absence of this waiver and confirm that my admission constitutes adequate consideration for this
waiver.
By signing this waiver I agree to wear eye protection at all times in the forge, and ear protection when appropriate or when
advised to do so.
ADULTS
_________________________________________
(Registrant print name)
________________________________________
(Spouse/significant other print name)
_________________________________________ _________________________________________
(Signature)
(Signature)
_________________________________________
(Date)
________________________________________
(Date)
Emergency contact: __________________________________ Phone__________________________
MINORS
If the person attending the event is a minor, this waiver must also be signed on the minor’s behalf by a parent or legal
guardian. The signature of a person as parent or legal guardian constitutes a warranty that such a person has authority to
sign on behalf of the minor.
_______________________________________
(Minor’s name)
______________________________________
(Minor’s name)
_______________________________________
(Print name of parent or legal guardian)
______________________________________
(Print name of parent or legal guardian)
_______________________________________ ________________________________________
(Signature of parent or legal guardian)
(Signature of parent or legal guardian)
_______________________________________ ________________________________________
(Date)
(Date)
Emergency contact: _________________________________ Phone__________________________
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SMITHS MEMBERSHIP revised 6/2013
Name: __________________________Spouse (if family membership)____________________
Address: ____________________________________________________________________
City: ______________________________State: ______Zip _________-__________________
Email _______________________________________________________________________
Phone: (day) (_______)__________________ (evening) (_______)______________________
(mobile) (______) ________________________
Website: ____________________________________________________________________
Blacksmithing skill level:
None  Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Check all that apply:
student
hobbyistartist artisan
business owner
just curious
blacksmithing teacher or demonstrator
not smithing these days but still interested
Blacksmithing Specialty: _______________________________________________
Membership Level:
$40.00 Individual
New
Renewal


Please return this form to:
Mike Otis
4520 S. Lipan Ct
Englewood, CO 80110
$45.00 Family
Profile Change
$50.00+ Contributory
ABANA Member
other
24th Rocky Mountain Blacksmithing Conference, Aug 6-Aug 10, 2014 Schedule
Please wear safety glasses and hearing protection in the forge Thursday
7:00‐
8:00am 8:00‐
11:45am 12:00‐
1:00 1:30‐
5:15pm 5:30‐
6:30pm 7:00‐
8:30pm 8:30‐
10:00pm Breakfast
Mindy
Gardner
Lunch
Group
Project
Dinner
Forging
Competition
Open Forge
Friday
7:00‐
8:00am 8:00‐
11:45am 12:00‐
1:00 Breakfast
Peter Ross
Lunch
7:00‐
8:00am 8:00‐
10:00am
10:15‐
11:45am James
Makely
12:00‐
1:00pm 1:15‐
2:45pm 4:30‐
5:30pm Ice Breaker
Party on the
Lawn
3:00‐
5:00pm 7:00‐
9:00pm 8:00‐
10:00pm Demonstrators
Slide Show
Open Forge
7:00‐
8:00am Mindy
Gardner
John
Switzer
Dinner
Breakfast
Sunday
8:00‐
10:00am 1:30‐
4:30pm 5:30‐
6:30pm Saturday
5:15‐
6:00pm 6:00‐
7:30pm 7:30‐
8:30pm 8:30‐
10:00pm
Lunch
James
Makely
Peter Ross
Iron in the Hat
& Silent
Auction
BBQ
Membership
Meeting
Breakfast
Forge
Clean Up
Say Goodbye
Open Forge
Go Home
Drive
carefully
write if
you get
work