Stacy Baldus Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Just introducing myself here. I currently live in rural, SE Minnesota on a crop farm. I graduated from the Edinburgh College of Art with a MA in Visual Communication (which basically means photography) in December of 2008. I'm currently working part time as a substitute teacher. So why am I on a blacksmith forum you ask? Because I really want to get into it. I've always had a love of making things, enjoyed welding in shop class and watching my dad cobble things together out of metal. Later on during college I went on an Honors trip to the Living History Farms in Des Moines, Iowa. There was a blacksmith there and a few of us opted to take the free, quick and dirty class in making a decorative iron hook. A simple project, but there was only one blacksmith and people need a lot of help with it. I absolutely loved it! It was hot, dirty, hard work but I seemed to have a bit of a knack for it was was really disappointed when it was over. I did most of the work myself and was ridiculously pleased with what I'd made. Ever since then, I can't get blacksmithing and metal work out of my mind. Postgraduate studies took me to Edinburgh, Scotland and the ironwork there - wow. It was amazing. And there was so much of it! And it hit me, the people who made it, who still make, really must be out there. I loved every minute being there and now, as a substitute teacher, I know it's just not enough. And so, I have this growing obsession and I'm joining up because I really hope that I can go somewhere with this. I can't wait to devour every scrape of information I can. Long introduction aside, I'm really glad to be here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Browne Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Welcome to IFI from DownUnder. You have definitely come to the right place. Just go to the front page and click on Lessons in Metalwork then follow the links. Oh, before you do makes sure you have some food and drink and a comfy chair :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy Baldus Posted October 26, 2009 Author Share Posted October 26, 2009 Great! Thanks for the pointer. Food and drink, check. Will I be here a few hours from now? Hopefully :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted October 26, 2009 Share Posted October 26, 2009 Stacy - Welcome to the site - there is quite a few blacksmiths in Minnesota. You'll have to check out the Guild of Metalsmiths, they are based out of the cities and there is a few that live down your way. - JK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
781 Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Welcome The guild has classes and John Adams, Rochester, MN teaches through the college there. Oct 3-5 we had a hammer-in South of Stewartville where you would have been welcome to come and get some hands on smithing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacy Baldus Posted October 27, 2009 Author Share Posted October 27, 2009 Really? That sounds great. Sorry I missed it. I'll have to check out and see who's around. I'd love to start getting my hands dirty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy k Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Meetings are once a month - if you get a little north that is. - JK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimmy seale Posted October 28, 2009 Share Posted October 28, 2009 howdy from west texas, welcome to IFI,jimmy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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