Becky Little – Nova Scotia, Canada      Website: Dragonfly Forge

Becky Little will create a coat rack with her whimsical style. I cannot wait to see what else she has prepared for us!

via [ABANA] Conference Demonstrators.

In addition to Becky’s shoe here’s some photo’s from other demonstrators care of ABANA.ORG

FireHouse Ironworks is Atlantic Canada’s only training centre for traditional blacksmithing and ironworks. We are a fully equipped shop with 4 tradtional coal forges and a propane forge. There is modern tooling also. TIG, MIG, Oxy/Accet torches and a plasma cutter. We also have modern bending and rolling equipment. Head instructor is John MacDonald, a smith with over 40 years experience. Please check our website for more information. www.firehouseironworks.com We are also the home forge for the Cape Breton Blacksmiths Association.

     We would like to confirm a logo for the MBA and are requesting submissions. Please send us any logos you have or can create (even if they have been submitted before) by February 7th 2012. The top 10 submissions as voted by the board will receive a free membership for 2012 and the membership may vote on the finalists at the AGM.

The board met on January 7th and recommends two adjustments to the bylaw as follows:

1. Article #9 Change our fiscal year to the calendar year of Jan 1st to Dec 31st to allow time for an annual meeting to be held each year within three months after year end.
2. Article #28 Add an exception to the six year maximum director term in the circumstances when no one new is nominated or accepts nomination.

We will ask for approval of these changes at the AGM.

     Also please consider joining the Facebook group “Maritime Blacksmiths Association” We will post all events on the group page, you can easily share info, pictures and newsletter submissions. Even if you don’t use Facebook for anything else, it can be our virtual meeting place to keep everyone in the loop. Also please check out the new and improved Maritime Blacksmith’s Association website and if you want to contribute to the site contact us for more info.

     Thank you and we look forward to seeing you there, AGM Sunday Feb 12 at 1pm at the Chocolate Lake Community Centre!

Becky Little
Dragonfly Forge
“If at first you don’t succeed, get a bigger hammer”

When: Dec. 4th, Sunday, 12 pm to 5:00 pm,
Where: Alderney Landing, Dartmouth Waterfront off Windmill Rd. at Ochterloney St.
Free Parking.
What: Our First Demonstration, and hoping to interest a new audience. Also, take in Christ -Kindl Market and the Craig Gallery at the same time and location. Examples of our work are on display as well.

Poster for Demo. at Alderney Landing

Going Back to Basics
$25

Once again Paul and Anita Fontaine will be hosting a Maritime Blacksmiths Association gathering at their shop, Heritage Wrought Iron. See some of Paul’s ironwork and a map to his place at www.heritagewroughtiron.com

John MacDonald from Cape Breton will be demonstrating starting at10 am. Following lunch, and continuing until folks put down their hammer, John will coach and teach one-on-one and in small groups any forge skill you wish to learn or improve. John is professional blacksmith with nearly forty years at the anvil and in addition to producing traditional ironwork in his own shop he teaches courses at www.firehouseironworks.com..

In order to accommodate as many folks for the one-on-one session please bring a forge, anvil and basic tools if you can.

There will be a charge of $25 to cover the workshop costs.

Bring your safety glasses ,ear plugs,wear your steel toe boots and leave your synthetic clothing at home . There will be the usual and popular draws for iron in the hat (bring stuff to donate),show and tell (bring ironwork to show) and tailgate sales(bring any blacksmithing stuff you want to sell). Bring a chair.

Again this year Anita will serve her famous acadian chicken fricot . Please bring bread, salads, desert, or beverage.Coffee will be on (bring a mug).

Directions: >From TCH take exit 474B Scoudouc Road which turns into highway 11 . >From exit drive 22 km to exit 7 Shediac River and Grande-Digue .Turn left at stop sign .Then take another left toward Shediac River and drive 4.8km to MacDougall RD on right .Our house is 2 km 723 MacDougall RD (left side)
576-9524

Jerry and Miriam Levy invite you to the mid-summer MBA gathering of the 2011 season at Jerry’s shop on the shore. Practical Blacksmithing on the ocean near Peggy’s Cove is the perfect place for a summer blacksmith gathering. In 2009, Jerry installed a unique and storied tree to receive the decorative nails of visiting blacksmiths. All MBA members are encouraged to design, develop, forge and install their signature nail for the tree at Jerry’s shop.

Currently, the scheduled demonstrators are Scott Hamlin, and Kyle Woods.

You are encouraged to bring portable forge gear if possible so we can set up lots of forging stations. As with all open forge events please bring what you can for equipment, fuel, material and tools or offer to help transport an other’s. As always bring your safety glasses, ear plugs, wear your steel toe boots and leave your synthetic clothing at home.

There will be the usual and popular draws for Iron in the Hat (bring stuff to donate), Show and Tell (bring ironwork to show) and Tailgate Sales(bring any blacksmithing stuff you want to sell).

Coffee and tea will be on all day (bring a mug). Jerry and Miriam have offered to serve a light lunch. In anticipation of a large crowd, please bring a salad, cookies or squares to contribute to the lunch.

If you are setting up equipment please arrive between 9 am and 10 am to be set up for a 10 am start.

From Exit 5 on Hwy 103 follow the signs directing you to Peggy’s Cove on Hwy 333. 21 km from the start of Hwy 333, in Indian Harbour, turn right onto Government Wharf Road. #12 is on your left just a short way in. The shop is down by the water. 823-2480 Please park in the field after unloading.

The Harrison Lewis Centre
welcomes blacksmiths and partners May 28,29
for a weekend of fun and forging at Sandy Bay. A special invitation
to young blacksmiths. Brad Allen has aprons and safety goggles for
youngsters and Saturday afternoon we’ll be setting up a forge and
anvil for shorter enthusiasts.

Take part in the Bright Spike Challenge, turning a railroad spike
into something bright and beautiful (maybe even useful) – under the
clock. (Spikes provided.)

Bring your own vittles for breakfasts and lunches. Pot luck supper
Saturday around pork barbecue (provided). We have kitchen and dining
facilities, four bunkhouses sleeping up to 15, places to tent.
(Donations to offset costs welcomed.) We’re next door to Thomas
Raddall Natural Environment Park (http://www.novascotiaparks.ca/parks/thraddall.asp),
and for those wanting creature
comforts there’s White Point Resort 30 minutes down the road.

Two railroad forges and two anvils on site. Plenty of room to set up
portable forges.

No dogs, please. Livestock on premises.

Phone 902-683-2763.

Send email to Dirk to confirm attendance.