Southeastern Region Blacksmith Conference

Madison, Georgia, May 17-19, 2007.
Register by April 30th and SAVE $10

The 2007 Conference is almost here. The conference site will be at the Lyons Club Fair Grounds in Madison, Georgia. The site has a large, covered, open-sided barn with bleacher seating for comfortable blacksmithing demonstrations in any weather. The fairgrounds' air-conditioned main building accommodates everyone for registration, meals, the Auction, some Family Programs, and other indoor activities. There will be a caterer for breakfast and lunch both days with a short menu at economical prices. The primitive camping area is near the main building and inside the fence for security. Those of you who have been to this charming town, know the beauty and traditions that are shared there. As in the past, we are steeped in the customs of demonstrating, forging, teaching and sharing.

Floyd Daniels Memorial

Saturday May 19, 2007 at 12:00 p.m.

There will be a memorial service for Floyd at this time. Clyde Payton will perform this ceremony, where the ashes from Floyd's last forge fire will be sprinkled on a burning forge. Blacksmith blessings and memories will be shared at this time. Any one that wishes may speak at this time.

After the ceremony, everyone will have the chance to ring the anvil for Floyd. An anvil and hammer will be set up to the side and each person will strike the anvil for him one last time.

OLD Conference Flyer MS-Word.DOC file

NEW! Conference Flyer and Form PDF

The Madison Morgan
Cultural Center
Blacksmithing with a Southern Accent :
Metalwork from the Southeast, a juried show.

More info can be obtained through the ABANA website.

MMCC Flyer front MMCC Flyer back

This show will run concurrently with the Southern Blacksmith Assoc conference(in fact they worked with us to make it happen that way) May 17-19 and then move to the Metal Museum in Memphis. This is a great opportunity and we have heard that not many blacksmiths have responded in participation. This is such an excellent opportunity to show your work and participate in the SBA Conference as well. The time is growing close, so please plan to join this exhibit. Let's show them our stuff

Demonstrators and classes

Starting Friday morning May 18 and continue through Saturday afternoon May 19.

Demonstrators:

          *Don Fogg - Forging a Japanese Tonto *
                     *Bill Fiorini - Forging a gun barrel *
                               *Corinna Mensoff & Hanna Stevenson - Combined architectural project *

Classes:

          *Mitz Bazzell - 3 Stained glass art project *
                     *Carol Goodrum - Kaleidoscopes *
                                *Rick Jay - Copper flowers *
                                          *Beginning Blacksmith classes *
                                                     *Judy Chavers - Baskets *
                                                               *Patty Draper - Forge welding

NEW! The Peoples Choice Award

This is our own blacksmith Show & Tell. Cards will be provided to vote for your favorite piece. Beginners and experts alike are encouraged to bring in their latest handiwork. The Peoples Choice will be announced at the Auction and the winner will receive a $75.00 check.

Auction Auction Auction

This is our major fundraising event. Dr. Tim Ryan will conduct the auction on Friday night at 6:00pm. Please bring something to donate. Blacksmithing tools are sought after, as are pieces of your own work. This popular event always turns up interesting and beautiful handcrafted items.

Anvil Shoot

This tradition is still alive and well in the Southern Blacksmith Association, Inc! Our friend and fellow blacksmith, Dr. Tim Ryan will conduct this old blacksmith celebration. He will shoot the anvil on Saturday. Do not miss this opportunity!

Iron in the Hat

The Alabama Forge Council will have tickets for this fun event. All donations are greatly appreciated and there always surprises in this fundraiser. Tickets are $1.00 each or 6 for $5.00(a bargain).

Our SBA family keeps growing and for many of us this event is like a family reunion. To our members attending for the first time, welcome! We are looking forward to meeting old friends and new.

This is going to be a great conference! Our 2007 demonstrators are awesome, the classes promise exciting results and as always, expect a big bang from the anvil shoot. Also, do not forget the Iron-in-the-Hat.

There are rumors of special projects for the Auction. Please help in the donation of items and remember to dig deep. As part of our conference, the Auction is a major fundraiser and helps keep SBA alive!!

Please remember you must pre-register, if you are attending the Thursday night banquet. After the banquet, plan to attend the reception Thursday May 17, 8:00p.m. at the Madison Morgan Cultural Center, which will have on display an exhibition of Southern Blacksmiths.

NEW Hotel Info : Red Roof Inn !!!
This is where our teachers and demonstrators will be staying. The rate that we have procured is $49.99 per night, be sure to mention that you are with the Southern Blacksmith Association Conference. We checked many hotels in the area and this meets our needs best. It is located near our old hotel, which may not be available when we go to conference. It is clean, neat, has a swimming pool and is pet friendly.

Red Roof Inn, 2080 Eatonton Road, Madison, GA 30650, (706)342-3433

Southern Blacksmith Association Ring Tree Project

Our Family Tree Forged in Fire

This will be a two part project consisting of rings and leaves. Each of the seven chapters is asked to submit a ring. Members of the seven chapters are asked to contribute a leaf.

Each of the seven chapters is represented in the rings. The rings are 8 inches measuring to the outside of the ring and constructed from 1/4 x 1 inch. Any design and any technique are acceptable. It would be helpful if these were done by March 2007 to help with the preconstruction of the form.

The individual leaves will be welded into groups of three and riveted onto the tree. These can be made ahead of time or made right on the spot. A forge will be provided on the sight for this purpose. Again the pieces may be sent ahead of conference time, and any design and any technique.

If you have any questions contact:
Jeff Mohr
22 Iron wood Court
Crawfordville, FL 32327
(850)926-4448

Floyd Daniel

Two years ago we opened the conference with the memory of the passing of Cordelia Daniel. This year again with much sorrow we open the conference with the passing of Floyd Daniel. At his funeral the first week of March, we learned what an interesting man he really was. As blacksmiths, we focus on the road he forged for our group. Did you know that he taught aerial gunnery?

LEFT Floyd Daniels with Tim Ryan 2003