Hi i am Marty just thought i would say hi. I am new to the blacksmithing wolrd but not to fabrication i hope to learn alot and make a few more friends as well as build a few things.

HI Marty, Welcome to IFI. Why don't don't you take a moment and let us know where your located in your profile, who knows someone may be close and you can get together over an anvil.:cool:

Welcome aboard Marty, glad to have you.

You've come to a good place to find friendly metal heads, useful tips and more opinions about a question than people replying.

Yes, please edit your profile to show your location by clicking "User CP". You never know who's in your neighborhood. Heck, you may live in the Mat Valley just minutes from me!

Frosty

"who knows someone may be close and you can get together over an anvil."

sorry but i am highly doubting this...i have never touched one, this blacksmith and metalworking really interest's me but i don't know and can't find where to start. Could someone point me in the right direction?

and FROSTY you wouldn't believe how bad i want to live up there, but My wife would rather live on the equator, so Michigan will do.

I married a Yooper going on 12 years ago and she laughs at what the locals call a snow storm. Winters in my neighborhood are pretty tame compared to something off the Lakes. We can get your missus talking to my missus, maybe you'll get your chance ANd stay married.

You're in luck, there are several strong metal art groups in your neck of the woods. UMBA being one of the best. There's a directory of associations here on the forum but I don't have a link at hand and would have to re-write everything if I go look. No problem, someone will post a list in a bit.

Frosty

great thanks, where in the UP is she from? I would have never guessed are snow storms are worse than yours...although i am only 6 miles from lake michigan we get some bitchin lake affect snow

I stole her away from Ironwood about 10 miles from Superior. The last winter she was there they got something like 350" of snow. The snowiest winter we've had since she's been here we got about 89" the average is around 60".

Sounds like the banana belt doesn't it? AND it isn't hard to find a job here either.

Frosty

really we have 800 acres over by silver city just east of the porcipines. never been to Ironwood but know where it's at. you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a job here.

Sure I would, not only do I pay some attention to the unemployment rates Deb has many good friends in the upper midwest.

I know it would feel cramped but there are 20 acres 500' up the road from us that's for sale and it's been cleared. I'll be more than happy to give you a hand doing the dirt work and construction. You'd be more than welcome to play in my shop and take showers here. Heck, we can find you a nice travel trailer and hook you up.

Frosty

I don't think i would be to cramped i live on an acre with a half stall garage in the middle of town, the 800 acres in silver city and the 160 in evart are hunting property and that is all they are good for. What does a cleared 20 acre's go for around your parts? do you know of any maintenance or at least heating and cooling jobs in your next of the big woods?

I'll have to find out what they're asking. We sold 15 acres at the height of the boom for $125k but the price has fallen since then.

Heating jobs in . . . ALASKA?!

Are you kidding, I don't even know what "heating" is, can you explain?

Sorry, Yes there are a few pages of heating and mechanical companies in most any phone book in Ak, not counting the villages and small towns. So there are jobs in the field.

We live 50 miles from Anchorage and 7 from Wasilla, both decent sized cities though we're "rural" and enjoy no codes, zoning, etc.

Piqued your interest have I?

Frosty

yes, you have spiked my interest, i had a nice conversation with my wife tonight about "our" life changing choice of mine and she want's NO part of it, but i will keep talking to her about it. in the mean time i may try to contact a few of your local companies and see if i can find anything. My wife i am sure would like to know a little more about it "sarcastic", like where are the mall's if their are any, how far away is an average neighbor? is living in Alaska like living anywhere else?

yes, you have spiked my interest, i had a nice conversation with my wife tonight about "our" life changing choice of mine and she want's NO part of it, but i will keep talking to her about it. in the mean time i may try to contact a few of your local companies and see if i can find anything. My wife i am sure would like to know a little more about it "sarcastic", like where are the mall's if their are any, how far away is an average neighbor? is living in Alaska like living anywhere else?

Not knowing where Zeeland is I'll bet we're closer to Wally World, Target, Fred Meyers, several super markets, a couple malls and good book stores than you are. Anchorage is a NEW city, only about 100 years old with malls, museums, theater, parks, schools, great restaurants, night life, etc. all the amenities a person would epect in a modern American city with the addition of the occasional moose or bear wandering around. This link is to a few Anchorage webcams.

Borealis Broadband - Webcams

This link is our web site. Our place is just 7 miles from Wasilla, the fastest growing city in the USA or it was last year, I don't know about this year. It is still growing though unlike so many places around the country right now.

SPRING PROMISE PYGMY AND PYGORA GOATS

These are a couple Wasilla webcams. The first one is mostly touristy places.

Wasilla Webcams

Lake Lucille is in Wasilla and about 7 mins from our place. Great restaurant there.

Lake Lucille Wasilla, AK Live WebCam

Darn, gotta go, Deb's calling.

Later,

Frosty

If Deb's calling dinners ready! Let's eat!