Quang0

Thanks Thomas,
Out of curiosity, what is it about my work that inspires you?
Btw, I am feeling welcome!

A press? I wish!
Nah, they're all hand beaten with a specially made hammer.
Sunken hot into a wooden forming block, then depending on shape raised on a ball stake. Needless to say, lots of hammering. glad you like them. I have done a few others, I'll post more pics, or you can have a look at Sefiira Forge - Hand Forged Artistic Wrought Iron and Sculpture

Yeah 1/4" (6mm) is OK and if you can, about 2" (50mm) long, if they're too big we can easily cut some off. The one I posted yesterday has a stem of approx. 6mm at the thinnest part where it joins the leaf

Here's a sample that I knocked up out of a piece of 12mm sq. just using the neck and taper technique. It's 120mm x 30mm (not including stem)

Done!

I have to admit to not remembering you Dale, but then there's a lot of things I can't remember from that weekend, I do seem to remember bending the arm a bit though...

G'day everyone,
I have to admit this isn't my first post, but it is still at the pointy end!
My name is Paul, I'm a blacksmith from Melbourne, Aus. Been smithing for quite a few years, but mainly in an industrial capacity, now concentrating on more traditional and artistic works. I'm a member of The Australian Blacksmiths Association (Victoria) Inc.
I've been enjoying the reading the articles and the mateship and camaraderie that abounds on IFI, so I think I'll stick around.

Without wanting to push my own barrow too far, the ABA(Vic) is organising a memorial tree for those affected by the recent Victorian bushfires. Details on IFI in the Prayer List and coming soon to The Tree Project website.

Cheers,
Paul

I'm going through a bowl phase at present, they're forged from 10mm (3/8") plate, sizes varying from 130mm (5") to 450mm (18") dia.

OK Frosty, you wanted photos, tell me if you think these are appropriate...

That's great Jeremy,

What we need now is a whole lot more (from everyone, not (just) you Jeremy!), and please if you can post a picture of your leaves here on IFI, I'll put the whole lot up on the the tree project website when it's up and running (hopefully) in the next few days.
And please don't for a moment think "I don't have to make one, they'll have enough without one from me", because if we have to make two trees to fit them all on we will! Maybe even a whole forest if we need to, so get out there and start hammering!

Thanks for your support.
Paul

Thanks, that's the easy bit, but do I post them here in this forum/tread or elsewhere?

Mateship, isn't that what this is all about?

Pics, of course I have pics, but where to post them?

G'day everyone,
I have to admit this isn't my first post, but it is still at the pointy end!
My name is Paul, I'm a blacksmith from Melbourne, Aus. Been smithing for quite a few years, but mainly in an industrial capacity, now concentrating on more traditional and artistic works. I'm a member of The Australian Blacksmiths Association (Victoria) Inc.
I've been enjoying the reading the articles and the mateship and camaraderie that abounds on IFI, so I think I'll stick around.

Without wanting to push my own barrow too far, the ABA(Vic) is organising a memorial tree for those affected by the recent Victorian bushfires. Details on IFI in the Prayer List and coming soon to The Tree Project website.

Cheers,
Paul

G'day Wayne,
For all intensive purposes yes, the gum nuts are hollow. In reality they carry the seeds, but I generally make mine from tube/pipe and neck it down to form the stem

I guess a little heavier than reality would be better than having a bare tree, but there's no need to go overboard

You should be able to either view the image by clicking on the link then right-click and save as or just right-click on the link and save as. it kinda depends on your browser. It works for me anyway!
We're not far off having the official website up (should be up this weekend) and that should be easier to navigate etc.
I will contact Murrindindi council this week to discuss locations and options.
Cheers,
Paul

The Tree Project:
Victoria is suffering under the worst natural disaster to ever occur in Australia’s recorded history. The enormous destruction and loss of life has devastated our local communities.

To honour those that have been lost to the fires and our brave CFA men and women who battled the elements to protect our towns, the Australian Blacksmiths Association (Victoria) Inc. is inviting blacksmiths from across the country and around the world to contribute to the Tree Project. We are asking you, our fellow ‘smiths to contribute, not monetarily, but to help us to grow a tree from our forges and fires. We ask that you forge a gumleaf from stainless steel or copper to be added to a forged gumtree to be erected in one of the affected townships as a memorial of these events for all time.

If you wish, you may forge a complete branch, a twig with a few leaves or some gumnuts. All contributions will be gratefully received. For ‘smiths not familiar with Australian gumtrees, we attach some images and notes for your reference. *** Please don't make your leaf stems too thin, or your leaf may well become a trophy for a local vandal ***

The A.B.A. (Vic) Inc. will be co-ordinating this project and will be forging the tree and attaching your leaves.

What you need to do:
Forge a gumleaf following the styles and sizes shown here in stainless steel or copper. Please note, that these are guidelines only and we do not want 1000 exact copies of the same leaf! Each leaf will be as individual as the ‘smith that created it.
If you have one, we ask that you put your touchmark on your leaves, or at least mark it in some way so we can identify your work and mark your contribution.
Please send your finished leaves and your details to:

I posted an address to send the leaves to, I just realized that we're not receiving leaves there any more (some weird postal issue) could you please change it to:
The Tree Project
c/- Paul Mills, Sefiira Forge
PO Box 542, Hurstbridge
Victoria, Australia 3099


Get your completed leaves to us by 30 June 2009 so we can assemble the tree. Our plan is to have an unveiling ceremony in September 2009 to coincide with the Association’s 20th anniversary celebration.

Thank you for your efforts in helping us build a lasting memorial.


Paul Mills
(on behalf of Australian Blacksmiths Association (Victoria) Inc.)

Hi guys, firstly thanks to Salty for kicking this off, and thanks to all who have pledged a leaf or two.

The Australian Blacksmiths Association (Victoria) Inc. is right behind this project and will be co-ordinating the fabrication and assembly of the tree and leaves. We are very thankful for all of your contributions and we are putting a design together now, which will outline the style and dimensions for the leaves.

The tree will be made from stainless steel and we are asking that leaves be either stainless or copper. I will be updating the website Australian Blacksmiths Association (Vic) with details soon and also post the details here on IFI along with an address on where to send your leaves.

We will be including pictures and dimensions, so please hold off until we get those uploaded.

Thank you all very much for your support.

Cheers,
Paul