Crowd Control

[Rantalin]

Thanks Strine, I've made S hooks and small leaves. Actually made some small keychains that didn't come out very well, but practice makes perfect.

[Mr Smith]

When I get tired of hearing "My grandfather was a blacksmith", I usually smile and say something lilke "That is great", and listen if they want to talk a little. It helps me remember when Iwas the one standing on the other side of the rope asking the dumb questions. Had it not been for the patience shown to me that day, I might have not gone home and built my first forge.

Words of wisdom.

I've only done a few demos, usually with other smiths around. Trinkets that do well are spoons made from horseshoe nails, tiny horseshoes, and leaves. If you have a piece of paper with the trinket, explaining it (if possible) they tend to walk out the door a bit faster.

[julian]

I remember the demo that really got me into smithing..the blacksmith was a real nice fella, and I bought a small leaf keychain from him..today that leaf is still on the keychain next to one that i made .

Little things can really go a long way, eh?

[canuk]

i started out two years ago watching a pair of smiths at fair. they could tell i was so interested they let past the rope to try it out. the following summer i made a forge with my dad and this year im volunteering at the musem as blacksmith. if you want a beginner look no farther but the fact that those two smiths took time out to let me play and introduce something of such addicting protions is something i would like to give to some one in the future.

[rstegman]

One answer to how long it took to make it,

eight years and one hour.
Use your real experiance. in years.

When asked what that figure meant, say that it took you eight years to get to the point where it would only take you an hour to make it.

Another is "Any two year old can do this, with eight years experiance...."

[dablacksmith]

I get the "my dad was a blacksmith" all the time I decided that it is a way for people to talk to me so I ask where did he smith? what type of stuff did he make/repair? do you still have his tools?does anyone in the family have any interest in smithing? it is a way for people to interact with you ... And it may or may not generate sales but it has a better chance... as far as croud control i use a rope at about 30 inches high ya the kids can go under but they will anyway... and they(and theyre parents) know it is there for a reason .other than that keep your eyes open the fire draws people like moths to the flame! and remember that the job of a demo is to talk to people ! any forgeing you get done is iceing on the cake! i try to keep anything I make simple (long projects people wont stick around to see)nails and hooks and a occisonal anamal head (for the OOH factor) willkeep um interested.. the crowds are more interested in seeing hot steel than what it will become (tho they always ask) ..Ime about 2 weeks from hitting the road (getting the rv setup) and cant wait!

[tetnum]

i think most questions have been answered but dose any one know how answer the question "do you shoue elephants?" followed quickly by his responce "i dod once the shoues are as big as your chest, see you dont know what your doing here." and he walked off

leaveing me compleatly confused
do they shoe elephants?
if they do how big are the shoes (weight and size)?
and is this question just a random occourance or has it happened before?

[dablacksmith]

never heard of shoeing elephants and never had anyone ask that... sounds like a wierd one... and ide answer it like I do horses ya i shoe horses ... SHOO SHOO GO AWAY HORSE!!! and i do flies also! as far as the " you dont know what your doing here " ide say if you think ime shoeing elephants then you are the one who dosnt know whats going on...

[Ten Hammers]

Just home from the first rondy of the year. Crowd control is not really tough most of the time. Like Glenn says sometimes stupid questions just need a little respect. I try and keep folks up to speed from the get go. They may walk up to camp asking what I'm cooking in the furnace. Wen I pull the pt out and pour a cup I tell them currently coffee and explain the job of the collier and why I now buy charcoal at the store. In the time it takes to do this a piece of 3/8 put in the fire is brought to forging temp and started ( maybe a hook start or finish ). When done forging I ask "is it still hot ? " Most say no and I then light a cigarette off of it. Having a 7 year old hold tongs on other side ( most times with Dad's help ) while I twist on this side is a treat. Makes kid feel like Superman. Of course you pick the kid wisely in this issue ( and notice I made no gender reference...I have 5 granddaughters and one grandson ). Letting Mrs consumer with the soft hands handle a piece that still has forge scale and then a piece that has been whitesmithed will sometimes clear up the issue of extra work and cost. One look at my hands and arms normally clears up any burn questions. I treat customers that want to buy a grate or something else for camp with the same respect I would if they were buying a new car or anything else. I just tell them to go up the line to 3rd or whatever camp and look my stuff over that has been used for a few years and ask around if they want to know about my work or me ( yes I'm growly if you play your guitar and sing loud after 10 in camp ). BTW a piece of really hot ( white ) steel in your hand will control an unruly crowd most times but you have to be careful.

[Daryl]

Here is what I have done when you have a troublesome child - this works particularly well when the parents are around and don't understand the gravity of shop dangers: Politely ask his/her name and where they are from, stand up and ponder for a moment, then "I remember your name, last week I was doing repairs on Santa's sleigh and he told me if was to see you before Christmas, you were to get this..." hand him/her a small lump of coal "This will save him the trip to your house."

Have done that several times and only once were the parents horrified -everyone else laughed uncontrollably. The little boy however, though this was the neatest thing on earth, stayed for another two hours - much, much better behaved.

There are many ways to prevent the crowd from getting too close. It is best to be cautious until you develop your own style.