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Dave Koenig
at Tudor Forge
in Magnolia
Dave Koenig continues to develop his skill at bowl making which he will share with us at a hands-on demo and workshop at his Tudor Forge in Magnolia. Dave was recently featured in ABANA's Hammers Blow publication with the instructional handout he provided for our Feburary meeting Bowling with the Smiths. Click Raising a Bowl, Raising Awareness for a reprint.Last February we featured bowls and vessel making at Ed Malmgren's shop in Houston to support the Empty Bowls Initiative. Dave Koenig was the featured demonstrator and several members brought their forges and tools for all to share. We made a lot of nice looking bowls while we learned basics of vessel forming.
This event was similar to last year's demo Bowl and Vessel Making 2006 with more participation and without the rain!
Dave Koenig has provided a summary of what he demonstrated, showing progression from a found piece of scrap plate to a handsome vessel. Click Vessel Making to view or download (pdf).
Some excellent examples of what Dave Koenig has been making this year are presented at our page Bowling with Dave.
Dave Koenig was the featured demonstrator at the Balcones Forge Summer Demo hosted by John Crouchet at his shop near Marble Falls on July 28. Over 50 smiths attended from all over Texas and were welcomed with great hospitality to a uniquely green Hill Country vista. A short summary of the meeting photos is provided at our Dave at Balcones page.
A collection of photos of Dave's bowls are posted on our page Dave's Bowls .
The morning show and tell bowls and such which Dave described the process of their construction are found at our page Demo Show and Tell.
Photos of the morning demo are posted on our page Demo with Dave .
The early morning started out a bit humid and still, but the historical monsoon season rain stayed away for the day. Attendence picked up as the morning progressed and all were rewarded with an intimate session with Dave about how he has been bringing these flat plates to life. For the afternoon session we looked at how photography is enhanced with a "white" box, or even a special faded green drape which Dave often used previously to background his works.
 Tee discusses HABA plans |
 Early morning at Tudor Forge |
 Dave, his faded green sheet, and new Photo Tent |
 Styro Cast Iron with backgroud removed |
The purpose of the July HABA meeting is to expand the general knowledge about vessel making. In addition to reviewing the process of raising and/or sinking a vessel in steel and copper the focus of the July meeting is on decorating a vessel. Three decorating themes are:
- Decorating by chasing.
- Decorating by filing.
- Decorating with color. Coloring with guilder’s paste, acrylic paint and the old standby “blacksmith’s gold” are on the agenda
One of the problems we all face is getting a good quality photo of our work when it is complete and before it goes out the door. To help solve this problem a photo tent will be available for everyone to use. Therefore, if you have a piece of work that is less than 24 inches long and you want to try the tent, you are welcome to bring it and your camera and experience the photo tent. Bring a piece of your work even you do not have a camera.The tent on-hand is a commercially available one. A photo tent is easy to build too. A cardboard box lined with white paper works well too... http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent.
What to Bring if you would like to do more than watch the demo:
- Forge, fuel, anvil, and vise.
- A forging hammer
- A tong to handle sheet metal up to 14 gauge.
- A chisel with no sharp corners to cutout the initial form.
- Any special punches you think you will need to decorate a vessel.
- A half round double cut file or two to clean up the edges.
- Soapstone or silver pencil to draw on the sheet metal.
- Sandpaper...100, 200 and 300 series grits to create a smooth finish.
- Acrylic paint and brushes.
- Guilder’s Paste and artist’s paint brushes.
- Any scrap sheet metal 14 or 16 gauge.
HABA Will Provide the steel to forge a vessel. PLEASE NOTE: As is the custom at most workshops, sharing tools is common.
Please remember to do a couple of things if you borrow a tool. One, remember from whom you borrowed a tool and make sure you return it by telling that person you are returning it. Two, make sure you look over your tools before you depart to make sure you have only what you came with...nothing missing and nothing extra. It takes more effort to return or find a tool than to double check before leaving the meeting!
These web links may be of further interest to you....tools, techniques,bowls, plates, bells...
When & Where :
Saturday, July 21 :
The schedule looks like this for Saturday morning:
- 8:00 am : Sign in and setup
- 8:30 am : HABA Meeting and Announcements
- 9:00 am : Begin Demo
- 10:00 am : Begin Workshop
- 12 pm : Break for Lunch
- 1 pm : Continue Workshop
- 5 pm : Conclude before dark
Where :
Dave Koenig's Tudor Forge in Magnolia, Texas
Directions to Tudor Forge
From Houston:
Take 249 NW from Houston. Travel through the towns of Tomball, Decker Prairie and Pinehurst. At Pinehurst 249 changes to 1774. Stay on 1774. About three miles ahead on 1774 look for a Shell station on the west side of the road. One half mile past the Shell station, turn left or west on Tudor Way. There is a small white realtor office on the corner. You will find the forge about a mile down the road on the left.
Or if you are coming from Magnolia:
From the intersection of 1488 and 1774 in Magnolia, go south on 1774 about 4 miles. Look for Tudor Way just after the Country Jamboree building. Turn right and follow the signs. If you see the Shell station you went too far.
What to Bring
Bring safety glasses with side shields. This is a requirement!
Bring your forges and tools. A number of forges will be available.
Plan to bring a lunch or eat at a local restaurant.
Bring a chair to sit in.
You do not have to be a member to attend our meetings! Bring a Guest!
Bring your Membership Dues if you want to work at a forge and are not a current Member !
Minors are welcome but must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
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Enjoy!
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Last updates were on July 24, 2007
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