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HABA Happy Hammer Holiday
HABA Members have again been blessed with another great year of demonstrations and activity that gives us an exciting start towards a New Year.
Once again as this year packs up, we can step back and see it has been busy, fun, and full of opportunity. For this we are grateful to the many HABA volunteers and participants who have kept the flag held high. Now is a good time to look over the pages of this website you may not have visited lately. Now is also a good time to suggest what you would like to see HABA do in 2009. We are laying out plans now.In January we will have the Big Annual Auction and Knifemaking Workshop with Cowboy. Gather up tools and stuff, and make something special that can be donated.
As you do the seasonal shopping, please give a look at our HABA Sponsors page and tell them you saw their link here and appreciate their donated support for our Auctions.
Come back often this month as the new web pages will become active and the Calendar updated.
We've had a really good year. Let's do it again. Until then, have a Safe and Joyful Holiday Season!
Annual Knife Making Work Shop and Auction - January 2009
It will soon be a new year, so it must be 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 will again feature Cowboy Szymanski of Phenix Knives .
This year we feature the Spike Knife with a few new features. Our web page is at HABA Spike Knife for more information and links.
HABA Seasonal Decorating Demo at Tudor Forge November 15, 2008
Our concluding demo meeting/hammer-in for the year will be at Tudor Forge in Magnolia on Saturday November 15. Bring your forge and tools. HABA will supply the materials!One of the holiday decorations to be worked on is a hook nicely wrapped in a bow, was demoed by Dave Koenig.
More details to be published soon. Photos were posted at Holiday Ribbons.
HABA at ABNC Martyn Farm Fall Festival Nov 8 & 9
HABA was at Armand Bayou Nature Center Martyn Farm Fall Festival on Saturday, & Sunday, November 8-9. HABA was in the wood shop providing demonstration of the blacksmithing craft. If you can help out next time we are there please send Les Cook a note.
HABA 'Smithing in Texas at Barrington Living History Farm October 25-26
On October 25 and 26, Barrington Living History Farm is inviting HABA members to the farm for a weekend of forging. Several years ago the farm asked HABA to consider building a steel harrow the team of oxen can pull to till the garden. In the past, several HABA members showed up to make or repair whatever was needed. It is always an enjoyable weekend for the members and the public who stop by to see what is being built.For more information about helping out at Barrington, call Les Cook.
Please visit our page for last years event for directions and information about the Farm at “Smithing in Texas” 2007. Photos from the 2008 weekend event are posted on our Flickr site HABA Smiths in Texas at WOB.
HABA at Bayou City Art Fest October 18-19
Houston Arts Alliance requested HABA for a two day demonstration on Saturday, October 18, 2008, through Sunday, October 19, 2008 as part of Bayou City Art Festival-Downtown in the Houston Arts Alliance Artist Tent. Demonstrations are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. each day. We will be located in the Sam Houston Park area around Bagby and McKinney.
Please contact Les Cook if you can help out.
Photos are posted on our Flickr page at HABA downtown at BCAF .
HABA Forge Fest to feature Bob Alexander October 4 in Oldenburg is CANCELED
We regret we have little choice but to CANCEL the Bob Alexander Demo at our Fall Forge Fest.
At this time we have canceled the formal event due to bad boy IKE the light weight hurricane. Some members may be found there having an informal weekend of forging, but no special arrangements will be provided. Call him Lite Hike if you will, but he has left a big mess behind that we are all working to cleanup and help our neighbors with.
So for now, we are planning to have Bob come back in the Spring for our Annual Blacksmith Round Up in Oldenburg. More news will follow soon.
Plan now to attend the HABA Blacksmith Round Up in Oldenburg first weekend of April. We will feature Bob Alexander from Desoto, Missouri as our day long demonstrator on Saturday April 3-5, 2009!
Bob is an instructor at John C. Campbell Folk School where he teaches Traditional Chest and Hardware and Flowers in Metal and assists Jerry Darnell in Colonial Lighting and Hardware. Bob also teaches regularly at New England School of Metalsmithing.
Bob opened a shop in 1995 offering clients work from colonial to contemporary. He has studied with Clay Spencer, Doug Hendrickson, Jerry Darnell, Tom Clark, Uri Hofi, Joe Miller, and other renowned smiths.
More news is posted on our web page for the event Fall Forge Fest 2008.
Blacksmith Family Day at The Pearl
HABA participated in the The Pearl's Family Day on Saturday September 27 . Dave Koenig, Bob Hensley and Richard Boswell provided smithming demonstrations all the day.
The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts reopened Saturday, September 27 just in time for the Blacksmithing Family Day. Free admission was offered for both the Family Day on Saturday and on Sunday, September 28 to celebrate the reopening of the museum.
The museum suffered no major damage due to the storm, but remained closed last week because of the power outage. The African Gold exhibition was moved to an art storage facility prior to the storm where it remained until the power was restored to the area.
Our web page with information about the exhibit is at HABA Metal Worked. Photos of the Exhibit and Family Day are presented on our FLICKR page at The Pearl Metal Worked Art Show
IKE Blew HABA Schedules
As we all know, Hurricane IKE came to town on Sept 12/13, and caused a lot of trouble for a lot of people.
Our HABA schedule is disrupted for now as we clean up and help our neighbors with the mess, and maybe get some rest. Please stay tuned to this station for the most recent updates on our plans.
Remember to work safely when cutting trees, and wear a hard hat. Stay hydrated.
Hardware Workshop Hammer-In
September 20 at ABNC in Pasadena was CANCELED
This month HABA was headed to Armand Bayou for a hands on ‘Hammer- In’ on Saturday September 20. Last year Dave Koenig, Tee Hines and Les Cook demonstrated a few of the many different types of structural and decorative “Joinery”. We were also there for a work day in September of 2006 , and we return this year for a regular hammer-in style meeting. Steve Arial will lead the workshop.
HABA Chilled with Chain Maille at Kleb Nature Center
Every year about this time, we realize the outdoor venue for a demo gets to be challenging for all, so we will work indoors on a special group project to create a new HABA Banner using chain maille. On August 16 we gathered at the Kleb Nature Center Conference Room for the day (20301 Mueschke Road west and south of Tomball). HABA Chilled with Chain Maille at Kleb Nature Center led by Richard Myers from Corpus Christi and his brother Joe Myers of Dayton in the assembly of patches of chain maille into a handsome HABA Banner that will be more weather resistant than our first edition. You have seen this in the movies, and now you can make it yourself or become a better informed purchaser!
Chain maille is a simple construction of metal rings weaved into a garment used for personal protection since antiquity by many diverse cultures aroud the world. Using different metals, the weaved panel becomes an object of art.
Participants will see a live demo of making maille links from wire, and then assembly to a fabric. To facillitate our project, we will have a bucket of pre-cut links to use for assembly. The banner will be mostly steel links, with brass features to spell HABA and an anvil.
Please join us on Saturday Aug 16 at the Kleb Park, and tour the facillities as well. Our previous meeting and visit are available on our Flickr Photo site.
This announcement contains numerous hyper-links to sites of additional information. Try them out by clicking the underlined words. Enjoy!
Our web page for this meeting is HABA Chain Maille Banner.
Photos are available on our Flickr web site at HABA Maille.
HABA's new Reading Digest
HABA is still seeking a Editor/Publisher for The HABA Letter which preceded this web site. The Archives are still available online, and they have a wealth of information beyond meeting announcements.
To help fill the gap until the return of a newsletter, Board Member Bob Hensley took a collection of Newsletters mailed from other ABANA Affiliate blacksmithing groups, and scanned selected articles for your review online. Several of these have already been re-cycled from the original published newsletters.
If you would like to help out in this effort, please send a note with your scanned (pdf) article and we can expand this collection for your educational use.
Look for the link on the left side of our main page or click HABA Reading Digest.
Metal Worked Art Show Artist Reception was 8-8-08
The Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts hosted a Meet the Metal Worked Artists Reception on Friday, August 8th from 6-8 pm. The event was free and open to the public, and 160 people attended for a fun evening of fellowship.
Members of the Houston Area Blacksmith's Association (HABA) and the Houston Metal Arts Guild (HMAG) were 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 at 6815 Cypresswood Drive. The Pearl Museum opened in March of 2008 and is a new concept for museums.
The purpose of Metal Worked is to demonstrate the connection of the forging craft as expressed by jewelers and blacksmiths from precious metals through iron and steel.
Members submitted their own works and those that have inspired them.
This second show of the Pearl Museum opens Saturday July 26. This show will be African gold from the Glassell Collection on loan from the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. This is a 14 week show where HABA and HMAG members have an opportunity to display their work in a focus gallery directly behind the main gallery.
Previews of the dual show suggest adjectives like "magnificent" ..... what else can be said? Please see this inspirational show and realize what we can do as blacksmiths locally and regionally, and what we can continue to do.
Our web page with latest news and information is at HABA Metal Worked.
The first African Gold Family Day was Saturday, August 2nd from 10am-5pm featuring HMAG demonstrations.
HABA will have a Family Day on Saturday September 13. Join us for unique art workshops and artist demonstrations throughout the day. Free admission to the Museum all day.
Balcones Summer Demo featured Bill Bastas July 26
Bill Bastas demonstrated for Balcones Summer Demo this year and they invited all the Houston folks to come up for it. Admission is free, just like every year.
It will be at John Crouchet's place on Saturday, July 26th from 9:00 until 2 or 3, depending on how much people want to leave! It may feature excellent barbeque from Pete Mesquite for lunch.
More info at the Balcones website later this month, including a map and directions for those who don't know how to get there...........
And more News from Balcones.....Terry Ross was featured in the recent ABANA "Hammers Blow" with an article on his drawing software package designed for and by blacksmiths. You can down load this free and useful software from his website at Metalwork Design.
HABA Nailing at Kleb Nature Center July 19
The July HABA meeting was at Kleb Nature Center located at 20301 Mueschke Road near Tomball but the parking lot and Nature Center are off of Draper Road. Just follow the County, Precinct 3 signs from Mueschke Road. Someone will point you in the right direction from the parking lot. Here is the County's map link. Directions to the Nature Center from where you live are available from this link.
There are two reasons for having the July meeting at the Kleb Woods Nature Center.
The first is that the Kleb Nature Center MAY be a new home for HABA. As some of you who attended meetings this year may already know, HABA and Precinct 3 have been talking. The conversation is about Precinct 3 providing a site for HABA to meet and HABA providing forging demonstrations to the public. There is too much to say about the opportunity here so come to the meeting and get up to date on this project.
The second reason for coming to the meeting is that HABA will begin making nails. If HABA and the Precinct 3 sign a contract, the first order of business will be to make nails to finish HABA's new home. The new home would be a farm blacksmith shop in the Kleb's barn. So it seems most fitting that HABA members need to learn how to make nails and what better place to learn than where the nails will be used.
Photos from a brief visit to the Farm last month are posted at our Flickr site Kleb Visit. Photos from the July meeting are posted at Kleb Demo Meeting.
More news is posted on on our web page HABA Nailing at Kleb. And, here is a HABA handout for download.
Mid Year Update
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.
Be sure to check the photos of recent Bayou Bend Summer Camp! Thenks got to Dave Koenig, Tee Hines, and Les Cook for providing these kids a unique learning opportunity!
The front page begins to get rather long at mid year, so the previous front page for the first six months of 2008 is now placed at Meetings 2008
HABA Meeting Photos are now on FLICKR
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 Pot Rack Hammer-In at Bucksnort Forge in Magnolia was June 21
Tee Hines provided an outstanding demo of forging a wall mount Pot Rack with numerous variations of finial.
We exercised and extended some of the techniques we’ve learned through ABANA's “Controlled Hand Forging” program. ‘Forging a Shoulder’, ‘Forging a Fishtail’ and ‘Splitting’ are a few techniques used and were demoed at our
Spring Blacksmith Round Up. Tee also demoed forged hooks that can be either riveted to the rack or used as adjustable hooks.
A flyer announcement with photos is available to download at Tee's Pot Rack and a meeting web page is posted at Tee Pot Rack.
Photos are at our Flickr page for the Pot Rack Event.
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.
- Blacksmithing Forge-welding a branch
- Blacksmithing power hammer making closed die ball tool
- The Forged Acanthus Leaf
Several more have been suggested as worth your attention...
Pot/Utensil Rack
Hammer-In
Bucksnort Forge
Magnolia, Texas
Come and try your hand at forging a wall mount Pot Rack.
We are going to further develop some of the techniques we’ve learned through our “Controlled Hand Forging” program. ‘Forging a Shoulder’, ‘Forging a Fishtail’ and ‘Splitting’ are a few techniques we will be using.
Tee is going to forge several different finials which can be used as the ends of your Pot Rack. Then! You chose the finial you want! Or forge your own design.
We will also be forging hooks that can be either riveted to the rack or you can design a rack with adjustable hooks. The choice is yours.
Those of you who have seen other finials or technique used, please share it at the meeting. Feel free to demonstrate the technique if you would like.
A flyer announcement with photos is available to download at Tee's Pot Rack and a meeting web page is posted at Tee Pot Rack.
Metal Worked Art Show 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 Metal Worked 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.
You can easily download the Submission Form and Invitation from Dave Koenig by clicking Metal Worked and/or Submission Form. This is the Submission Form in a Word RTF format for your usage.
Our web page with latest news and information is at HABA Metal Worked.
Stainless Steel Projects with Guido Schindler at Tudor Forge was May 10
This was a double treat for all the HABA members. This will be hosted by Dave Koenig at his Tudor Forge in Magnolia.
Long time HABA Member Guido Schindler is talked and demoed about stainless steel.
Then, instead of breaking for lunch, Dave demoed his methods of copper leaf forging and coloring by quenching.
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
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
- July 19 - Nailing with Dave Koenig at Kleb Nature Center
- August 16 - HABA Maille Project at Kleb Nature Center
- September 13- Blacksmithing Family Day at The Pearl Fincher MFA in Spring
- September 20 - Hardware at Armand Bayou
- October 3/5 -
Fall Forge Fest at Oldenburg featuring Bob Alexander
- October 13/14 - Saltfork Craftsmen Blacksmith Conference
- October 25/26 -
Barrington Living History Farm "Smithing in Texas"
- Nov -
Spanish Tracks and Trails at Goliad
- Nov 15 - Holiday Decorations and Gifts at Tudor Forge 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!
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