NEWSLETTER November 2008 Volume 1 Issue 10

In this issue: * President’s Letter * Pipsico 50th Anniversary * Harvest Faire, NN * Blacksmith Interview * Book Review * Editor’s Note *

President’s Letter:
      As our demo season winds down, we now have time to look at our goals for the coming year. First we have our board elections, remember these people will represent you. Your vote is very important.
     Steve LaPaugh has offered to host our Holiday Family Meeting again at his home in Newport News, December 21/2008. He has a nice place for our event. We will have the 6th annual best ever IRON IN THE HAT. Everyone please bring something nice for the table. We will have a pot luck meal, so bring your favorite dish or desert. We have invited John Elliot and Blacksmith Supply with his truck load of toys.
     We will be holding classes beginning in January 2009, sign up will be first come first served. We have a lot of beginning smiths that can use our help. Take a few minutes to show a basic step or easier way to accomplish something. If you are new, step forward and ask if you can do it. If you have your own shop, invite someone to forge with you. I’m sure they will appreciate the chance to work and learn. As a bonus to teaching, we learn as we teach also.
     Our “IRON IN THE HAT” has been pretty good lately. I would like to see more hand forge items. Most of our money comes from IITH, $25 dues doesn’t pay for much. We are currently working on some good demonstrators for next year and they will cost money.
     Vince Nakovics is doing a fantastic job with the newsletter. Please give him a hand and send him an article or pictures. The same goes for the website, I need input. We have a member gallery that needs new pictures.  

Travis Covington          

             Pipsico Scout Reservation (Boy Scouts of America) 50th Anniversary Event      10 Oct 2008
By Bear Short

    Well it started out with just me (Bear Short) and my brother David doing this demo. Let me tell you! When the number of Scouts kept going up, the sweat on my brow was getting thicker. There wound up with a total of 1300 Scouts attending the camp out. 1300! I went by Tom Herendeen’s house to pick up the banner and stuff to put on the table and he said to give him a call on Thursday to see if could make it. Travis Covington said that if he did not work on Saturday he would be there as well. I’m not sure if Lemuel Brown brought Travis or the other way around, but I was glad to see them. Tom arrived and Ben Grover (Eagle Scout), who I recruited earlier, showed up too. It took a lot of pressure off David and I making the day so much more enjoyable. We told some tales and shared some camaraderie and did a little blacksmithing to boot. The Scouts enjoyed our demonstrations and we even sold some stuff ($235 worth). Well, you can’t miss combining Blacksmithing and Scouting and not expect to have a good time. Thanks to everyone who helped out with this special event.

Ben giving the old man a hand, that crank will wear you out                                 David at my tall anvil

Lemuel and Tom are at it again!                                              Travis gives Lemuel and Tom a break

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Harvest Faire 14 TBG Demonstration, Oct 17 – 19, 2008 Mariners’ Museum Park, Newport News, Virginia

 by Steve LaPaugh

       This is the first TBG demonstration held on the Peninsula since I joined the Guild in 2004. The site was available for setup on Thursday. I staged my equipment on Thursday with my son and his truck and the help of Williamsburg, TBG Smith Don Boeing. On Friday, Eric Hinckley and I set up the tent, tables, and equipment and had a fire smoking when Don Boeing arrived at noon to start the demo. On request from one of the campers, Don and Eric made a flagstaff holder after straightening the “as per sample” they provided us with. They were very pleased and said that they knew a couple of others on site that would buy them. So, on speculation, we made two more of the same. Clouds and light rain or mist were with us all day, so we wrapped it at 17:00 hours and secured for the day.
       By 08:30 on Saturday we had our fire going in my forge when Joe arrived with the TBG forge, anvil, and post vise. The clouds and light rain or mist continued for the entire day with only brief relief. However the Renaissance folks are a hearty breed and we sold our two remaining flagstaff holders and a number of Guild build items plus other requested items. Saturday’s demonstrators included Dr. Dan, Joe Gentile, Bob Orcutt, Greg Sprock, Rion Motley, John Tilson, and me.                                                                                         Sunday the sun finally came out and we had a lovely day to forge steel. Doug Lane from Elizabeth City, NC replaced Dr. Dan at the forge. A little after five we broke up the forge fires and by 1800 we had the trucks packed and ready to roll, thus ending another great TBG demo weekend.

Like Mailmen a little mist and rain won’t stop us!                                 Greg showing his skills to Rion & Jon

Wow! Jon you made all that stuff!                     Rion & Jon just having too much fun

Blacksmith Interview
By Vince Nakovics

This month’s interview is with Walter Howell. Walter calls his shop simply Walter’s Forge and that is where the simple stops. He is the creator and designer of the Sunset Ironworks line of custom hand forged iron work. He is located in Henagar, Alabama. Where he is assisted by his wife Rhonda Howell who maintains his website allowing more time to work in the forge! If you are in the area drop by, but it is better to call ahead of time and make sure that they will be there. (256) 254-8469. Be sure to check out the website http://waltersforge.com/index.html . to see more of his great work. And now……

Walter Howell

      Like most of the people I meet at demonstrations, my first memories of forging were connected to trips to my grandparent’s house in a rural area of North Georgia. We would pass by the shop on the way. Most of my contact with forging through the years involved practical application like tool repairs.                                                                                            I never thought about or planned to be a full time blacksmith it was something that just kind of happened. I began making items for our horse farm in North Georgia about 8 years ago and was invited to come to a local show. I started out with a product line mainly geared for farm and garden use. We had a good reception at the first show and decided to do several shows a year. Over the years our product line and sales grew to a point where it became a main source of income.                                                                                                 I have been fortunate to develop repeat customers and get a lot of work by referral. I have come to believe that this is what I am suppose to be doing and as I look back there are many things that led me this way and gave me a good foundation of practical knowledge that has helped me in my work. One of my grandfathers did many different types of farm and construction related work that taught me a lot.                                                                        I think you should be required to know all the old methods. That being said, if you want to make a living in smithing today, you need to use all of the modern equipment and tools we have now. I think turning out a quality product for the customer comes first and the end result is what really matters. I really don’t have a favorite tool, but I make most all of my own tools and jigs. It has been cheaper than buying and allows me to customize tools for specific uses.                                                                                                                               Research your area to see if there is a market that will support your work. It doesn’t matter how many compliments you get if you can’t pay the bills! We moved to another state to find our market. “Listen” to the advice of every working smith you talk to. There are lots of tips and tricks of the trade to be learned from older blacksmiths who are usually more than eager to talk.                                                                                                            Develop a distinctive style or product that will help people to easily identify your work. And keep quality at the top of the list. If you under price something don’t skimp on quality. Every piece out there is an advertisement for your work.

       If you are lucky enough to enjoy your work as much as life’s other pleasures you are a fortunate person. I have always enjoyed working with my hands. Making ornamental iron allows you to work on new designs and different projects all the time. Talking with people at shows is another added benefit. The sound and the smell of the forge bring out a wealth of memories from those who come to watch and hear stories of generations long passed and you can tell how special those memories are to folks.Forging is the most natural thing I have ever done. I forge as much for my own enjoyment as I do to make a living. Making a living at it has been a bonus.

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BOOK REVIEW: Metal Man by Aaron Reynolds, ages 6-9, available at www.charlesbridge.com  Last month I was sent a book called Metal Man by Aaron Reynolds and illustrated by Paul Hoppe to review. Since I was going to visit some experts in the young reader category, I decided to wait and see if they agreed with my assessment of it. below is a picture of these two experts having a vigorous discussion about who would be the care taker of the book. Apparently there was a foul and the Referee is flagging it! It’s only a technical foul and there will be no time in the penalty box. whewh, it was close.

               It’s an all out tussle for ownership!!!                                    Calm is restored after the Ref’s call.

     My nephews Alexander(8) and Ben(4) enjoyed the book and felt that the message was something beautiful can be found in many different places. Alexander added that we shouldn’t be quick to judge something because we don’t understand it. Metal man was a big hit and received two thumbs up. So there you have it, it’s a book written for kids and the target audience enjoyed it and I enjoyed reading it to them. Winner all around.

Historic Quote: For since the birth of time, throughout all ages and nations, has the craft of the smith been held in repute by the people.                                                                       (Longfellow)

Editor’s Note: Hi all! well we had a busy month this month, 2 big demos, and work day with our regular meeting on the 19th. I hope you were able to partake of at least one of these events. We have one event lined up for November 7th, 8th & 9th with Bear Short, the Blackstone Methodist Retreat (Boy Scout Event). This is fairly busy event so you won’t be bored. Give Bear a call for directions. The Blacksmith Guild of Virginia is having a Colonial Rendezvous on Nov 8th and has invited us all to attend. Ken Schwartz and Sheldon Browden of CW will be attending; it may be worth your while if you’re in the area. BGV asks that you let them know if you are attending in advance to ensure there is enough lunch for all.

ATTENTION: Board Nominations are due by close of business November 16th, our regular meeting. Ballots will be sent out following that meeting. Your ballot may be returned via email, US Postal Service, or in person at the December 21st meeting to our Secretary Joe Gentile.

Well I guess that’s about all there is going on for this month. Remember if you have any thing of interest for your newsletter, send it to me. I will accept photos and you will more than likely get them back as I don’t really want a stack of photos I didn’t take. hahaha. See Ya at the forge. Vince Nakovics

Tidewater Blacksmiths Guild Mission Statement
“The Tidewater Blacksmiths Guild is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the craft of Blacksmithing and to increasing the public awareness of the history of Blacksmithing while at the same time demonstrating that in this world, things hand made still exist and remain objects of art”

2008     TBG Officers:
President: Travis Covington (757) 617-9174     travis@covforge.com
Vice Pres: Tom Herendeen (757) 548-8800   twoherrons@aol.com  
Treasurer: Steve LaPaugh (757) 877-5684    slapaugh@verizon.net
Secretary: Joe Gentile (757) 965-6878     amx-ray@cox.net

2008      Board of Directors:
Diane deBeixedon (757) 627-9962  ddebeixedon@cox.net
Bear Short (757) 485-5117          hydraconstinc@aol.com
Eric Hinckley (757) 497-6067     usnbear2@cox.net  
Emory Ewell (757) 482-1448     eewell1@cox.net  
Rusty Heeley (757) 484-3054

Committee Chairs:

Demonstrations:                                                            Hospitality:
Tom Herendeen    twoherrons@aol.com                        Tom Herendeen    twoherrons@aol.com
Vince Parrish      snoozp@aol.com  
Scholarship:
Mike Keeney      scforge@cox.net
Librarians:                                                                       Website:
Diane deBeixedon  ddebeixedon@cox.net                         Travis Covington  travis@covforge.com
Eric Hinckley        usnbear2@cox.net                               Building Fund:
Newsletter:                                                                        Joe Gentile         amx-ray@cox.net  
Vince Nakovics  restoreman123@msn.com                      Diane deBeixedon  ddebeixedon@cox.net  
                                                                                        Vince Nakovics   restoreman123@msn.com

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Tidewater Blacksmiths Guild meets every third Sunday of the month. Location of the meeting is posted on our website: http://tidewaterblacksmiths.com .

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Demonstration Schedule:
Blackstone Methodist Retreat Boy Scouts of America Event – 7th, 8th & 9th of Nov – Contact Bear Short

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* Newsletter articles may be reprinted by ABANA affiliate newsletters when credit is given this newsletter and/or newsletter of origin unless otherwise noted as copyrighted or restricted. Copyrighted or restricted articles and pictures need the publisher’s permission.*

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Peat Oberon’s School of Blacksmithing  http://www.school-of-blacksmithing.co.uk.