Professional Sites & Resources

Resources are critical in blacksmithing

Here is a list of some of some resources which helped me get started on my blacksmith career.


Favorite books

1. The Home Blacksmith, by Ryan Ridgeway

2. The Backyard Blacksmith, by Loreli Sims

3. The Everyday Blacksmith, Nickolas Wicks


Upper Midwest Blacksmith Association UMBA

Join a club of like minded individuals with the same passions you might have. Great time  to meet new friends and learn new things.

ABANA - The Artist-Blacksmith's Association of North America 

UMBA Winter Conference 2022

February 18 @ 8:00 am - February 20 @ 12:00 pm

Jeff Mohr will demonstrate Saturday and Sunday. He will have a workshop making basket handles Friday, Feb. 18.

Fees: $25 Sat & Sun. $20 for the workshop.

Potluck lunch Saturday.

Trade item: heart trivet.

We will be collecting dues, electing new Board members and holding a Board meeting.



30t h Annual Ozark Conference
April 28th - May 1st, 2022

We will meet again at the Missouri State Fairgrounds (MSF) in Sedalia, MO. Located just 19 miles
South of I-70 on US-65 at the junction of US-65 & US-50.

Don't forget our traditional fund raisers: Benefit Auction, Raffle, and BAM Boutique-as these are
BAM's major source of income for the year. Items deemed to be valued at more than $25 should be
donated to the Auction.

Please be courteous to our instructors and fellow attendees by keeping your personal conversations
outside the demo areas and remain seated so that others are able to see.

Due to safety concerns, safety glasses are required at all events. Please keep a safe distance from
forges and demonstrators unless invited to move closer.

Thank You. Conference Committee
Questions?
Contact:

Mike Gorzel (636) 336-6347
mo.blacksmith.conference@gmail.com
Vendors and Tailgaters
Sites are still free to registered participants in designated areas. Vendor spaces will be assigned
and tables will be available from the Fairgrounds at $8 / table. To make arrangements please
contact:

Karen Bouckaert 1-636-673-1996

To make this a safe gathering, the event is outdoors with plenty of space. In addition:

  1. Food will be provided by the Nowaks for the students in the tong making class.
  2. Attendees of the a hammer in should bring a sack lunch. There are some fast food places within a couple miles of my house if folks would rather do that.
  3. If you have a portable set up, especially with a pop up tent, you are encouraged to bring them and make use of the large yard. This will help with social distancing.
  4. All guests are encouraged to wear a mask.
+ GOOGLE CALENDAR+ ICAL EXPORT

Details

Start:October 30 @ 9:00 amEnd:October 31 @ 5:00 pm

Organizer

Pat NowakPhone:608) 312-3258 or(608) 563-0729

Venue

Pat Nowak's2839 South River Road
Janesville, WI 53546 United States + Google MapPhone:608) 312-3258 or(608) 563-0729




Annual Winter Event At Jim's Place

February 22 - February 24 Jim's Place, 15646 County Line Rd
South Beloit, IL 61080 United States + Google Map $20.00



Richfield Historical Center - Richfield, WI

https://www.facebook.com/pg/richfieldhistoricalsociety/photos/?tab=album&album_id=2836995546374976&ref=page_internal

On the above link is the Center where I am a part-time blacksmith. We just volunteered at the Step Back in Time event last Sunday for four hours. I think the thing I enjoy most about blacksmithing is explaining the craft to other people. In a society that stressing reuse of items and fabrication, blacksmiths are the ultimate recyclers. Just making something useful out of scrap is a very fulfilling way of life and great example to our young people.


Old Falls Village - Menomonee Fall, WI

https://www.oldfallsvillage.com/

 Old Falls Village is starting to layout a blacksmith shop in the Summer of 2020'

Stay tuned for more news on this development...