divermike Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 As many of you know, I relocated to Kalamazoo about 1.5 years ago, and in the process built a new shop etc.. Well I have now been requested to host a meet at my place. I have hosted other meets in NY, but in this group, when you host, you demonstrate. So the shop cleanup and rearrangement has begun. The group consistantly has 35-50 people at their functions, and of course you want it comfortable for all. So on top of panicking about the demo, I am worked up about making space for food tables et. al. I am comfortable in front of crowds, but many of the smiths in this group make my best efforts look feeble, these are some seriously talented people. Thank God I have enough time to do all the cleaning, as well as some practice forging. I have decided on a simple colonial candle holder demo, with some other anecdotes tossed in. I could use some witticisms from you guys, and of course, any of you who would like to come, it would be great to see you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Greetings Mike, For sure you will see my smilleing face in the front row of your demo.. I will be watching every move and putting it in my note book . Got a new cell phone with a real good camera and video for the fine points.. You will do just fine and as always if I can help you know where to find me.. forge on and make beautiful things Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frosty Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Once again I'm feeling my isolation. All the pics I've seen of your new shop are unbearably neat and clean. I would dearly LOVE to help put some cure on it. Witticisms? How are you at working sheet metal? Brass would be excellent but thin steel is fine. You could demo making a Kalakazoo. Thinking of humorous things to say at a demo ahead of time, let alone for someone else and an audience I'm not familiar with isn't clicking for me. I'm SOOOO much better at snappy reparte'. When demoing for smiths, experienced or not, I like demoing techniques. I try to choose projects with interesting or new techniques in mind. One technique that lots of folk can use help with is upsetting, from rivet and nail heading to upsetting the middle of a bar. I know my attention is riveted to demos containing upsetting. Frosty The Lucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 Frosty........hope you heal up soon.....getting upset while at or giving demos is bad karma...... ^_^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted December 14, 2014 Share Posted December 14, 2014 hmm you are about 2 hours way I think I will have to attend, anything I can do to help ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 Frosty, that is kinda how I was thinking of going, thanks. Steve, cmon up! If you show up early I'll find something for you to do. Everybody brings grub for a share all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJS Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 That would make me a little over 3 hours away... Very tempting, and far enough out to pencil in on the calendar;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 Shane, Just remember to introduce yourself to me, there should be quite the little crowd, I would love to meet you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThomasPowers Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 February??? "Hecklers will dunked in the slack tub and stood outside!"One thing to remember: new folks may profit a whole lot more from something simple than experts from something complex. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Greetings TP, The reason that I will be sitting in the front row is that I will be closer to the slack tube ( I will be the dunker ) .. Mike is a super person and an excellent smith as I said he will do just fine... Looking forward to see his shop and his demo... Besides it is only 2 days before my birthday ( 71 ) Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Shane, do you want to car pool ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 Thanks Jim, let us hope it is worth your time, and happy birthday in case I forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJS Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Fund raiser for 8th grade trip to DC is that day, got to stay home and watch the little ones... maybe next year;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 then give them some Money and lets go to Mikes :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njanvilman Posted December 30, 2014 Share Posted December 30, 2014 If I was closer, I would attend, just a bit too far (550 miles). One point of advise, have a finished product of what you are demoing. And if there are repetitive parts involved, have most of them done, and just demo one or two, especially if they are complicated or time consuming. No one wants to watch the same demo over and over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted January 2, 2015 Author Share Posted January 2, 2015 Anvil man, my thinking exactly, I was out forging parts today, and guess what? I was looking at them and completely dissatisfied, so back to the drawing board, but I have time to make a few different kinds and decide what will work for the demo. I am having a blast, and one good side effect, my shop is better organised than ever!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted January 2, 2015 Share Posted January 2, 2015 Greetings Mike, All that fun would include your new AJ rounding hammer .. Happy new year.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinJohnsen Posted January 12, 2015 Share Posted January 12, 2015 What time of day are you looking for folks to start showing up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 The event starts at noon, but you are welcome to come a bit early. If you are a MABA member, the directions are in this months magazine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 and those of us that are not members ? ....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevinJohnsen Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 My membership only went out last week. Don't know if I will receive a January newsletter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 Greetings Mike, is Friday OK... I am bringing the Frogman and AJ for support ... Nervous? Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
divermike Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 Jim, you and the boys are certainly welcome Friday, should I get some rooms ready or what? Feel free to give me a call, the number is in the members list, maybe we can go out to dinner and beers! And yes, I am a bit nervous, but excited mostly!! Can't wait! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Coke Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Greetings Mike, Just kiddin... Frogman and AJ are coming up to my place after your demo for a few days.. Thanx for the super offer... As I said before you will do well.. Looking forward to seeing you and your shop.. Forge on and make beautiful things Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eriktlupus Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Mike, going to try and make this with Bobby, really depends on the work schedule for me and likely won't know till the Thursday/Friday before Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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