The 2016 Madness Is Coming!

Plan now to attend our 39th annual Fall Conference to be held at the Little Log House Antique Power Show grounds just south of Hastings, Minnesota from September 16 through September 18, 2016. Follow the Google map link below to see the location.

The 2016 Guild of Metalsmiths flyer (pdf) is available to download and print to share with those who may be interested. Use the registration form in the brochure to register for the conference.

We have contracted with two well-known names in metalsmithing to demonstrate their abilities at our conference. They are Jeff Farmer of Berea, Kentucky, and Freddy Rodriquez of Fusagasuga, Colombia. A pre-conference class with Jeff Farmer as instructor will be held Thursday and Friday, Sept. 15 and 16. Register for that class here.

Jeff Farmer started the art of blacksmithing whlie in junior high school. He graduated from Berea College with a degree in Industrial Arts Education. In 1985 he took over the blacksmith shop at Berea College where he also works in partnership with the Labor Program to forge merchandise for the college craft catalog.

Freddy Rodriquez is a master metalsmith who studied under Bernard Heer. He now specializes in human, animal, and fantasy figures and teaching the techniques he has honed over the years. A member of the Northwest Blacksmith Association, Freddy has worked in several states, including California, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

Our list of family activities will keep all members of the family busy…

Spoonhandle Bracelet Class
Make your own spoon handle bracelet. Limited to the first 10 people to sign up. Paula Wasmund, instructor. $15 to cover instruction and materials payable to Paula on day of event. Saturday, 1:00 pm.

Altoid Tin Repurpose
Learn fun ways to reuse your Altoid tins! Free class. Instructed by Jesse Gavin. Sunday, 8:30 am to noon.

Magnetic art
Design and build magnetic/ferrous creations (blacksmith legos!). Free all weekend.

Found Art
The hay wagon out back is always loaded with metal shapes just waiting for the “found art artist” in you to appear and put it all together!!!  You find the parts and do the designing. If you have spare “parts” lying around your abode, bring them along. There’s always room on the hay wagon for more!
Then Herb Fick and company will weld whatever you find on the trailer into your art creation.  Open to all ages. Free! All day Saturday. This activity is a favorite. Come and create something wonderful.

To register for any of these classes, contact Sheri Stanaitis at 715-698-2895 or email her at spaco@baldwin-telecom.net

Special Contest Event:
Design and create a unique letter opener. Contest is open to all Guild members. Must be made of metal. All entries must be donated to the Saturday auction. Auction price will determine winners. Cash prizes will be awarded.
First Place: $100
Second Place: $60
Third Place: $40

Conference Events

• Bring an example of your work to exhibit in the Gallery. This is one of the highlights of the conference. Everyone loves to look. Feel free to bring previously displayed items to show our new members. Gallery items will be registered in and out.
• Tailgating is encouraged! From participants we request a donation to the Saturday night auction.
• PLEASE BRING ITEMS FOR THE AUCTION!!! As is our tradition, we again will hold a live auction on Saturday evening. Please bring items that you have made or things that have fallen from your favor and are destined to become another’s treasure. Please remember that at this auction, we garner most of our operating capital, so be generous.
• During the day on Saturday, our silent auction will be held. The silent auction will be oriented mainly toward older tools and materials.

The Guild of Metalsmiths is fortunate to be able to hold the conference in such charming surroundings. We extend our gratitude to Steve and Sylvia Bauer for the opportunity to hold our event at this location. Thank you!

TGOM Conference Registration
Full weekend conference pass:  $35.00 per family
One Day Only: $20.00 per family
Registration form is available on the brochure here.
Conference Meals-send checks by Sept. 1
Catered Meal Ticket:  $35.00 per person (all 4 meals) OR
Saturday lunch: $9
Saturday dinner: $11
Sunday Breakfast: $9
Sunday Lunch: $11
Pre-conference shirt sales
Event T-shirt (S-4XL) size, $18 each. Color: gun metal.
Embroidered denim shirt (S-4XL) $42 each. Long sleeve with embroidered pocket.
All shirt orders due by August 22. Send check made out to “The Guild of Metalsmiths” to TGoM, PO Box 11423, St. Paul MN 55111. Pick up at the conference.

2016 “Madness” t-shirt

For further information, late registration options, or to volunteer, contact:
Martin Pansch: 612-599-4762, blacksmithingyeti@gmail.com
Mark Lockwood, 763-535-1787
Grace Sheely, gracesheely@gmail.com