Welcome to a new decade in blacksmithing. 2010 promises to be an exciting year for the NWBA. Already we have implemented several new member services and are working on details to bring you two not-to-be-missed conferences.
I would like to thank the candidates for their time and effort in running to represent our membership. Thank all of you who took the time to vote. A big thank you goes to Terry Carson for taking on the nominating committee responsibilities and pulling everything together. And thanks to Dave Davelaar for the ballot collection and site prep.
The board member elections received 278 ballots, a record I hear, with 8 candidates to choose for 5 positions, and a pretty detailed strategic planning survey to boot. This year the ballots were opened and counted at the Clarion Hotel in Federal Way, WA with 12 members in attendance. Both the ballot results and the strategic planning survey results have been posted on the website. Congratulations to Andrea Lisch, Tim Middaugh, Darryl Nelson, Mike Neely, and Grant Sarver who were elected as board members for the 2010-11 term.
Our January board meeting focused on electing officers for 2010. Tim Middaugh is Vice President; Dave Davelaar,Secretary; and Darryl Nelson, Treasurer. We discussed old business and follow-up with the strategic planning survey questions. With the election completed, we are now on to the business of growing your organization as you have asked us to do. (You know that you are always welcome to attend board meetings.)
I would like to thank Darrell Gehlsen for all of the work he put into the website over these past years. He resigned as website guru at year's end 2009.
I would like to thank Ina Culberson for all of her efforts with this organization. She has contributed so much that I lose count. Ina will continue to serve on the HIN Subcommittee, coordinate the auctions and, and chair the Membership Committee. Thank you for your dedication to NWBA, Ina.
I would also like to thank Dick Naven for his service on the NWBA board. All the financial work and the manuals he put together to keep us organized will continue to be valued and used. Thanks, Dick, for taking on these tasks and all your other contributions, and for doing them so well. We look forward to your continued participation.
Other business and changes made at the Board meeting include the following:
Conferences will be held in the same two locations for the next two years: Stevenson in Fall and Mt. Vernon in Spring. This northern "home" and southern "home" strategy serves our members well at this time. A committee was formed to investigate the possibility of having a permanent home along with finding a permanent storage depot. Mike Neely and Darryl Nelson will spearhead this ad hoc committee and report to the board at the next board meeting.
The Website will be upgraded and made more interactive. Grant Sarver has stepped up to take on this daunting task. Grant will be reporting on the progress at the next board meeting.
Hot Iron News: The Hot Iron News Committee is currently in transition mode. Chair Lauren Osmolski, Andrea Lisch, and Ina Culberson are up to the challenge and have selected a printer and mailing service, effective with this issue. Jim Almy stepped aside as the editor of the HIN, but has agreed to assist us through the transition. We are grateful for his past contributions and for his assistance at this time. We are fortunate to have such a talented group working on our publication.
Other exciting member services you will notice immediately are:
Conference Pre-Registration online effective February 15, 2010 at www.blacksmith.org
Credit card use available at registration
Credit card use available as payment for auction items
Credit card use available as payment for merchandise purchases
Website registration and tutorial available at Spring Conference
2010 SPRING CONFERENCE April 23-25, MT VERNON FAIRGROUNDS Featured Demonstrators:
Kirk Sullens, of Springfield, Missouri, will bring to our conference a fresh look at a seldom-used technique for preparation of animal forms. Raised forms have been used often in the past, and Kirk has been practicing these applications for several years as a Master Smith for Bass Pro Shops. He will present principles common to all creatures, using both forging and raising techniques.
Kirk Sullens, of Springfield, Missouri, will bring to our conference a fresh look at a seldom-used technique for preparation of animal forms. Raised forms have been used often in the past, and Kirk has been practicing these applications for several years as a Master Smith for Bass Pro Shops. He will present principles common to all creatures, using both forging and raising techniques.
Dave Thompson will be giving us a real life walk through all the steps that are involved in invitational bids for and participation in the process of selections for a public art or architectural project as well as a 40-year look of the business of ironwork. His demonstration of a 3-foot railing sample will provide a good example of problems of space and the extensive use of jigs to create a three-dimensional railing.
Jamie Belcher, Jewelry Maker, will provide a unique opportunity for conference attendees on Sunday morning. She does raised work as well as etching in copper, silver and bronze. She will have materials for you to work with and examples for inspiration.
Classes and Seminars: Four hands-on classes will feature NWBA smiths: Tim Middaugh, Ken Mermelstein, Wayne Lewis and Chad Heiserman.So make sure you sign up when you register at conference.
Patrick Maher will conduct a seminar on perspective drawing for client presentations. John Emmerling will talk about faux finishes and their applications. These seminars are open to all. Please sign up in the Registration area so that we can be sure there is a chair for you.
An expanded hands-on program will include Gene Chapman and his son, Gary. They will conduct two classes on flypress applications, one on Friday and one on Saturday. These classes will be open to up to 10 people, each class.
By popular demand, the Open Forging instruction will continue, located adjacent to the Hands-on area. See the schedule for details.
Louie Raffloer will again host the repousse table for those who want to raise metal. Materials are supplied or you can bring your own.
Black Smoke Alley will be available for anyone who wants to swing a hammer.
The tailgate crowd will be selling great stuff. Our gallery is always a great place to hang and be inspired. You will also want to check out the library's newest editions and videos and take a look at the Archives on display from past conferences.
The tailgate crowd will be selling great stuff. Our gallery is always a great place to hang and be inspired. You will also want to check out the library's newest editions and videos and take a look at the Archives on display from past conferences.
The Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, April 22, at 5pm on the Mt. Vernon Fairgrounds. Come and attend if you can.
This conference we are offering $15 off the conference price of $75 for any hand crafted auction item, and $5 off for any other auction item.
Free camping is available on fairgrounds for ground dwellers. Roof cover space is available in arena and horse barns.For RV'ers: Hook-ups are $22/night; $60 for 3 nights. Dry - $12/night; $30 for 3 nights.
The Spring Conference will be exciting, with lots of hands-on activities and great demonstrators. So come and join us to swing hammers, meet friends and have a great time.
The Spring Conference will be exciting, with lots of hands-on activities and great demonstrators. So come and join us to swing hammers, meet friends and have a great time.
I look forward to seeing you there.
Bob Thomas, NWBA Board President
Bob Thomas, NWBA Board President
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