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

Welcome aboard Paul, good to have ya.

Mateship, eh? I like the turn of that.

Have any pics? We love pics.

Frosty

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

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

Oh you betcha, I'd just never heard the term.

Below the text window there's a button that says "Go Advanced" click it and scroll down till you see the button that says "Manage Attachments". Click that one and a window will open with a bunch of "Browse" buttons, click one and select a pic from a file on your computer, click "Okay". Repeat till you have as few or as many as you want in the post and click "Upload".

That'll put the pics as thumbnail links at the bottom of your post like this. Lindsey and Richard, two fine young folk I had the privilege to show the craft.

Frosty

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

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

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.

G'Day Paul ,
MORE AUSSIES , tis what we need .

You may remember me from Gulf Station demo , The big ugly 1 with the AUSSIE accent , Ian was the even BIGGER UGLY 1 with the Pommy accent

Youse need ta add youse name ta this mate http://www.iforgeiron.com/forum/f8/oz-roll-call-7380/

Dale Russell

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...

Cool work you got there. Do you use a press to rough shape the bowls?

I'd say those fit here just fine Paul.

The thread catagories only help us keep straight where to put things but there's drift so sometimes a forging thread will appear in the intro section or whatever. Sometimes it's far enough afield a post or thread will get moved by management.

Nice bowl phase you're going through there. I like them all.

Frosty

Those are beautiful bowls. elegant design.

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

Howdy from East TEXAS!! and welcome to IFI!
Stunning, simply stunning work. Your work is inspiring to say the least. Make yourself at home.

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

I love the detail in the birds wings, that what separates the average from the masters, those exquisite details !

Thanks Steve,
The humming bird wing is actually a very close replication only scaled up 20:1 (except for the copper rivets, don't see many live ones with those!).

Very artistic and professional work. Smooth is an impression I get, your style is your own and that's good!