Home 
Houston
Area
Blacksmith's
Association
7418 Branch Point
Houston, TX 77095-2649
Board of Directors
Our Prez Sez
Winter 2006
Current Newsletter (pdf)
HABA Sponsors
The HABA Letter Archives
Membership
HABA Photo Page
Calendar '08
Meetings 2007
About HABA
Gallery
Designs
For Sale
Wanted
Links
Training Progression
Library
Web Usage
Historical Blacksmithing in Texas
Member's
Web Pages
Demo Page
Student Page
Mentor Page
Interviews
Local Suppliers
Group Email
HABA Calendar
HABA Web Site Editor
Stainless Steel Projects
with
Guido Schindler
at Tudor Forge
This is going to be a real treat for all the HABA members. The program is not fully developed yet and more news will be posted soon. This will be hosted by Dave Koenig at his Tudor Forge in Magnolia.
Long time HABA Member Guido Schindler is going to do something in stainless steel. The forging and finishing of SS will be part of it.
More info and details are on our meeting web page Stainless Schindler.
On another note, we have found the the City of Houston will not allow our open fires at public demos without special permits and a paid Fire Marshall to watch over us. Expenses for that special service to assure the safety of Houston are extraordinary, and we can not justify doing such. Therefore the Empty Bowls Demo in Houston may not remain active on our schedule.
Special News: HABA is trying out a Flickr site for posting our photos. There are Sets which comprise Collections. The Collection will represent a meeting demo, and the Sets will be the various themes and submitters. You can view the photos in several formats including details, singular views, the whole photo stream, and slideshows. Try this out and tell us what you think of it. Go to HABA Photos.
HABA's Annual Board Meeting was May 7
Our Annual Board Meeting was held Wednesday evening May 7 in the Conference Room at Stress Engineering Services. In addition to the normal ‘Reading of the Minutes and Financial Report’ and other business, there were two primary items we annually address:
- Officer elections
- Board Member Tenures
We are pleased to announce the orderly changing of the management with this coming year's Officers:- President: Russell Parrish
- Vice President : Les Cook
- Secretary: Richard Boswell
- Treasurer: Ed Malmgren
- Steve Arial
- Bob Hensley
We salute and honor the service of Dave Koenig who is our founder, Past President, and now our newest Advisory Committee Member.
Please greet these folks and thank them for the opportunities they have created for all of us in the HABA blacksmithing community!
Another Giant Passes On...
From Brian Brazeal.....April 28
Dear friends
This is to let you know that our friend and mentor Alfred Habermann passed away peacefully this morning.
He will be missed by all his friends.
From Dave Koenig....
Marilyn and I first heard about and saw 'Freddy' Habermann when we attended the De Pere, WI ABANA Conference in 1982??. Freddy knew little or no English and just managed to get permission to leave communist Czechoslovakia in time to arrive at the conference.
Through an interpreter he told us about life as an artist in a communist country. He was very busy there with with his own work and with communist commissioned sculptures. If the country had more than one 'Freddy' the communist party probably would have fallen within a day.
His night demo... planned on the spur of the moment... was nothing short of spectacular. As a matter of fact I cannot remember any demo since which had so much drama. He created four or five rings about two feet in diameter from maybe an inch by six inches by six foot pieces of steel. I might be a wee bit off in my remembering but the size of the stock and my response and the response of others at that demo would not change if the stock was twice as small or twice as big.
This short, rotund, bearded, gregarious, humorous, thoughtful, talented, strong as an ox man handled pieces of steel under a power hammer by himself which took two people to get into and out of the four or five coal forges running full blast for an hour or two. Most or all of the forges were burned up by the time the rings were forged. While waiting for a heat Freddy consumed lots of beer, told unending stories and forged the rings with the hammer only.
The next day I happened to be passing by the site where the rings were being welded together. The sculpture was about the 'strength of unending friendship'. As above, my recollection of his intent of the piece may not be accurate....but it is of no consequence. The man and his work made a HUGE impression on me. Freddy and that demo continue to exemplify for me the continuing power of the forging craft.
Freddy's De Pere demo piece can be seen out by the Mississippi River at the National Ornamental Metals museum in Memphis.
Recommended book....
Alfred Habermann - Blacksmith and Designer
A Call for Forged Metal at Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts
Members of the Houston Area Blacksmith's Association (HABA) and the Houston Metal Arts Guild (HMAG) are invited to show their work as part of an educational program in association with the new Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts in Spring, TX. The Pearl Musuem is opening in March of 2008 and is a new concept for museums.
The purpose of Metalworked is to demonstrate the connection of the forging craft as expressed by jewelers and blacksmiths from precious metals through iron and steel.
The second show at the Pearl Museum will open in July 2008. This show will be African gold from the Glassel collection on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. This is a 14 week show and HABA and HMAG members have an opportunity to display their work in a focus gallery directly behind the main gallery.
There is not much time to bring this show together. So, here is the plan today.
By May 30 HABA and HMAG need to have the paperwork and photos of all work submitted for the show in hand. The show will not be juried in the usual sence. The selection process will be similar to the one used in 2004 when HABA had a show at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, a joint effort among the museum, HABA and HMAG representatives.
Our web page with latest news and information is at HABA Metalworked.
Internet Technology for the Blacksmith
Several websites have been brought to our attention that push the educational frontier further along by bringing it closer and within reach of many who want to learn the skillls and techniques we admire and seek. This HABA website for instance, is simple, almost primitive by today's standards, but is still useful for our Membership. As our computers continue their evolutionary path of increased performance, we can find content that was once not so easy to view. Our Flickr photo site is an example. Another popular technology being deployed is You Tube where we can find educational videos at no cost such as the ones listed below submitted by California Blacksmith Mark Asperry as part of his Smithing School. Once you get there in You Tube, many similar video choices will be offered. And you can search for more on any topic you choose.
HABA Demonstrates for public at Magnolia Depot Day April 19
Several HABA Members demonstrated for the public at Magnolia's Annual Depot Day festivity on Saturday April 19. Tee Hines, Richard Boswell, and Bob Hensley forged for the visitors on a sunny and bright Spring day. Photos are on our new Flickr page at HABA Depot Day 2008!
Spring Blacksmith's Round-up was April 4-6 at Oldenburg
HABA’s Annual Spring Blacksmith’s Round-Up was a casual weekend of smithing where everyone was demonstrating as well as visiting, watching, buying and selling to each other and the public.
This year’s Round-Up was like another bowl of tasty stew. Based on last years program, we continued on through the ABANA Controlled Hand Forging Fundamentals that compliment our own HABA Training Progression.
More information for the event, including downloads, is found on our pages at HABA Spring Blacksmith Roundup 2008 at Oldenburg.
Photos of the event are posted on our new Flickr page at Round Up 2008.
Tong Making Hammer-In Workshop was March 15
Past President and current Board Member Tee Hines hosted a demo workshop about making blacksmithing tongs at his Bucksnort Forge in Magnolia. This will be somewhat similar to our workshop in 2003 with Dave Koenig at Tudor Forge. Many will also recall the great demo workshop at Bucksnort last May featuring Animal Heads.Tee prepared an excellent instruction guide for us to download. Click Flat Jaw Tongs for the details.
More info (awesome photos by Dave are now up, and more to be posted soon) is posted on our web page Tee Tongs.
March and April are Busy for Regional Activities
Here we go again, full speed into Spring with hammer in hand! Please check our 2008 Calendar and mark yours for the many activities of HABA, LAMA, and Balcones Forge blacksmith organizations.
- March 1-2 - Barrington Farm Texas Independence Day Demo (with photos)
- March 8-9 - LAMA's Conference "Banging On the Bayou" at Beaver Park in Lafayette, LA.
- March 15 - Tong Making Hammer-In with Tee Hines in Magnolia
- March 29-30 - Balcones Bluebonnet Demo
- April 4-6 -
HABA Spring Blacksmith Roundup at Oldenburg
- April 19 -
Magnolia Depot Day in Magnolia, Texas
New Coal Shipment in Conroe
Jerome Klawinsky of C & M Horse Shoe Sales in Conroe reports that he is nearly out of his inventory of Pennsylvania coal, and this consumed shipment was well received by many users for its clean burning btu content. He reports that a new shipment of 1200 bags will be sent shortly. This is said to be low sulfur, best Bituminous/amost Anthracite coal. Prices vary from a single bag to a pallet load. Give him a call at 800-392-7002 for more information. See ABA Coal Types for descriptions of coal.
Dorothy Stiegler Demo at Pieh Tool
Pieh Tool will feature reknown Dorothy Stiegler and Jacob Hill for a daylong demo at their shop in Arizona on May 17. For more information please contact Amy Pieh and download this Demo Flyer.
Annual Bowls and Vessel Making Hammer-In Workshop February 16
Again this February we featured bowls and vessel making with Dave Koenig at Ed Malmgren's Components fab shop in Houston to support the Empty Bowls Initiative. More News, additional information and useful links are posted at our page Bowling with the Smiths. This will be similar to our demo last year on vessel making. Please Join Local Artists and Craftspeople for Houston’s Fourth Annual Empty Bowls Event May 17, 2008.
Empty Bowls is a grassroots effort by artists and craftspeople across the country to feed the hungry in their communities. The Houston Empty Bowls Committee, comprising the craft and art community, Houston Food Bank, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Lawndale Art Center, and Whole Foods Market are seeking contributions of handmade bowls and artworks from local artists and craftspeople.
Tom Perry said "The bowls you contribute will be purchased, and all proceeds will be utilized by the Houston Food Bank to feed the hungry in the Greater Houston area. Hundreds of local artists and craftspeople donated to the 2007 event, and more than a thousand Houstonians purchased bowls, contributing more than $35,000 to help feed the hungry in Houston and neighboring counties and communities. " Beginning the week of April 21, 2008, you can drop off your bowls to the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, 4848 Main Street, or the Ceramic Store. Any bowl or bowl-like object will be accepted, but for anyone wondering about size, think in terms of a bowl for serving soup: height from 2” - 4 in”, diameter from 4”- 6”, volume 1 1/2 cups to 3 cups. Bowls do not need to be functional (i.e. actually hold soup).
We asked how our bowls were received, and one of the commmnets included "I think I should buy a metal bowl this year. I broke the beautiful, red blown glass cup I bought last year after only using it once!!!"
Last year seven of the 15 or 20 people who worked on or completed a vessel at the February HABA meeting donated one for Empty Bowls. The meeting was a huge success because so many people worked long and hard on at least one vessel. Some made more than one. Dave Koenig plans to take he donated vessel to the Craft Center. Vessels can be donated up to the time of the big event on May 17. So, if your are finishing a vessel at home and would like to donate it to Empty Bowls, please take it to the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft at 4848 Main Street or get it to Dave before the submissions close.
Four pages of Photos are posted on the meeting page Bowling with the Smiths
HABA Board Meeting February 11
A Board Meeting is scheduled for Monday February 11 at 6:00 pm until 9:30 pm in the Conference Room at Stress Engineering Services, 13800 Westfair East Dr, Houston, 77041. Please contatct Tee Hines or Richard Boswell if you have suggestions or business for The Board to include on the agenda. All Board Members and the Advisory Committee are requested to attend.
Annual Knife Making Work Shop and Auction was Jan 19
It is a new year, so it was time to make a new knife at our annual Knife Workshop, and to donate and bid at our Annual Fund Raising Auction. This year's workshop was again hosted by Cowboy Szymanski of Phenix Knives at his shop in Bellville, Texas.
This year we featured the Camp Hawk Hatchet with a few new features. Our web page is at HABA Camp Hawks for more information, six pages of photos, and special links.
Our Annual Auction featured many items worthy of your attention. These included new tools and books, used tools, materials, and the custom pieces made by talented smiths. This is always a unique opportunity to acquire and donate special and unique tools and art. (See our Sponsors Page) and our Preview Page.
Little Giant Rebuild Class Schedules
Sid Suedmeier has announced the schedule of classes for rebuilding and adjusting the old and new style Little Giant Power Hammer. Two classes in Nebraska City, Nebraska are set for March 28-30, 2008 . Click Registration Form to download their brochure.
Balcones Meeting Featured Roy Bellows
Roy Bellows has recently moved from Fredricksburg and has almost completed the setup of his new forge shop in an old "chicken coop" behind his new home in Buda, just south of Austin. The primary topic of the December 29 Balcones Forge meeting was to be about forging branding irons.
Roy has been an accomplished blacksmith artist for some time now, and contributed often to The Forge Review which began in 1982, later becoming The Texas Forge Review and the beginning of TABA.
The entire group joined in the discussion of branding irons and many examples of irons and other topics were discussed. A summary and photos are found on the HABA page Roy's Doors.
HABA Training Progression
One of the most important tools provided by HABA to the Membership is education, and this is offered in an organized structure within the HABA Training Progression. Steve Arial has volunteered to Chair the committee overseeing this program and welcomes your participation. The document has been revised to print easily and is presently in review for updating by the HABA Board. You may download the current Draft Version and use this to guide your activities and set your goals for the next year. Select either TP-Word or TP-pdf for downloading.
The Progression is defined as four levels commonly recognized within the art:
- I. Introduction
- II. Basic
- III. Intermediate
- IV. Advanced
At the conclusion of each phase is a signature block for a designated HABA reviewer and date. When the Progression is complete, the HABA President will sign and date the document, and arrange for appropriate recognition of the Member.
HABA Calendar for 2008 is Online
It's the annual clean-up and revise season here in the web shop. If something seems put away too good please let your web feller know. Last year's meeting schedule and topics have been archived on our HABA 2007 Calendar page. The 2008 meeting schedule and topics are announced on our HABA 2008 Calendar page which will be updated as often as possible. We hope you can attend and contribute to each meeting demonstration.
This front page of meetings announcement was trimmed back in December, and the complete listing for all of 2007 is still available at HABA 2007. Each of these sites contain links to each summary, photos, and announcement page we published for your convenience.
Membership
Please Join and be a part of HABA today to receive the current Newsletter ! Contact Ed Malmgren for the latest information. To receive your Family Membership Card or to update your records please send Ed an email with a Membership Application.
Annual Memberships are due at start of the year! Click Family Membership Form to download a pdf of the application.
Family Membership for 2008 are still only $20. Special offers are available for the 3 and 5 year Memberships. See the Membership page and ask Ed about these for 2008!
Thanks for your continued support!
HABA Events Calendar for 2008
Please visit our Calendar for details. HABA Monthly Demo Meetings shown in bold.
- January 19, 2008 -
Annual Knife Workshop with Cowboy Szymanski in Bellville, Texas
- February 16 -
Bowls and Vessel Making Hammer-In with Dave Koenig at Components in Houston
- March 1-2 - Barrington Farm Texas Independence Day Demo
- March 8-9 - LAMA's Conference "Banging On the Bayou " at Beaver Park in Lafayette, LA.
- March 15 - Tong Making Hammer-In with Tee Hines in Magnolia
- March 29-30 - Balcones Bluebonnet Workshop
- April 4-6 -
Spring Blacksmith Roundup at Oldenburg
- April 19 -
Magnolia Depot Day in Magnolia, Texas
- May 10 -
Guido Schindler at Tudor Forge in Magnolia
- June 21 -
Forging a Pot Rack
- June 29/July 2 - CanIron VI in Victoria, Canada
- July 19 - HABA/HALS Joint meeting at Zube Park
- August 16 - HABA Maile Project
- September 20 - Hardware at Armand Bayou
- October 3/5 -
Fall Forge Fest at Oldenburg
- October 13/14 - Saltfork Craftsmen Blacksmith Conference
- October 27/28 -
Barrington Living History Farm "Smithing in Texas"
- Nov -
Spanish Tracks and Trails at Goliad
- Nov 15 - Holiday Candle Holder with Dave Koenig in Magnolia
- Dec - Happy Hammer Holidays !
Notes about this Website This website is Under Development and will continue to evolve for HABA Members.
The use any of the material from this site is at your own risk. All persons associated with this material disclaim any responsibility or liability for damages or injuries resulting from the use or application of this information. They assume no responsibility or liability for the accuracy, fitness, proper design, safety or safe use of any information presented here.
The webmaster's spellerchecker does not always work and your tolerance for those items not caught and fixed has been and will continue to be appreciated!
Please send all feedback/correction/omission/suggestions to your webmaster, Richard Boswell .
Enjoy!
http://www.habairon.org
http://www.habairon.com
Last updates were on May 08, 2008
© Copyright 2008 by HABA.
All rights reserved.
and Sponsors
which may be visited at
On Line
Resources
ABANA
ABANA Hammer's Blow
ABANA Anvil's Ring
ABANA Forums
ABANA Demonstrator Guideline
ABANA Controlled Hand Forging
IronFest
North Texas
Blacksmiths Association
Balcones Forge
Louisiana Metalsmiths
Association
Gulf Coast Blacksmith's
Association
Four States Iron Munchers
Saltfork Craftsmen
River Bluff Forge Council
Mississippi Forge Council
Alabama Forge Council
Florida Artist Blacksmith Association
North Carolina ABANA
Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild
New England Blacksmiths
Appalachian Area Chapter of ABANA
Appalachian Blacksmiths
Association
Southern Ohio
Forge & Anvil
Blacksmiths Association
of Missouri
Illinois Valley Blacksmith
Association
Upper Midwest Blacksmiths
Arizona ABA
Rocky Mountain Smiths
California Blacksmiths
Western Canadian
British Artist
Blacksmiths Association
National Ornamental & Miscellaneous Metals Association
Arkansas Knifemakers
Association
American Bladesmith Society
The Guild of Metalsmiths
National Ornamental Metal Museum
Anvilfire
Anvilfire Forums
Anvilfire iForge Projects
Metal Smithing How-To
Anvil Online
Anvil Forum
Blacksmith's Journal
Blacksmith's Gazette
Forge and Anvil
Anvil Magazine
I Forge Iron
Anvil Talk
Google Search
Maps
U.S. Time of Day
Vulcan Restoration Project
Vulcan Park Birmingham
Cultural Arts Council
of Houston/Harris County
Houston Center
for Contemporary Craft
Bayou City Art Festival
Texas Accountants and
Lawyers for the Arts
Blacksmithing Art
The American Blacksmith
The Village Blacksmith
Anvil Types
Anvil Info
Anvil Testing
Excavations at a Blacksmith Shop
Museum Of Our Industrial Heritage
Carriage Museum of America
Blacksmithing in the 21st Century
Spark Chart
Heat Colors
Thermal Colors
Tempil Color Guide
ABA Coal Info
Tool & Shop Tips
LAMA Electric Welding
Blacksmithing Stories
The Blacksmith Anvil
Blacksmith Tools
Romancing the Hammer
Men and Women of Iron
ABA Timelines
Rural Craft Pulications-UK
Tillers International
Lost Crafts
Practical Blacksmithing 1888
Boilermakers
Last of the Blacksmiths
John Lienhard and
Modern Blacksmithing In 1902
..these Blacksmithing sites!