Looking Ahead to Upcoming Events

This page updated November 10, 2011

Safety first is expected at all MABA events. Safety glasses must be worn during demonstrations.

Guests are welcome! Anyone interested in learning more about blacksmithing is encouraged to attend. Please review these safety issues before attending an event.

A typical MABA event

Sharing information is what it's all about! The date and time is usually Saturday at noon. Many of the members work Saturday morning or need travel time so noon has worked out well for our group. Gathering at noon we share a pot-luck lunch and plenty of conversation. Please bring a dish to pass, a bag of chips or a desert, if you are able. This is a great time to get to know the other members, ask questions and share information. The event is typically held at a member's shop and the host is often the demonstrator for the afternoon. Members, guests and visitors attending will spend about 2 hours enjoying the demonstration. At the end of every demonstration the group has an Iron-In-The-Hat.   The "Hat" receives hand forged items following a theme (fork, trivet, letter opener, etc) or any item of interest for a blacksmith (stock, tools, books, etc). These items contributed by the members are then raffled off with the funds going to keep the membership dues low and to support the group's bimonthly publication, The Upsetter. Four times a year the group has a business meeting. Three meetings are held at a demonstration and the fourth is our Annual elections/meeting/Auction/Pot-luck Christmas party in December. The calendar listing will note if the demonstration will also be a business meeting and what the project is for Iron-In-The-Hat.

Also listed on the calendar

Other activities around Michigan will also be listed on the calendar. These include events where MABA blacksmiths have been invited to demonstrate and/or sell to the public. Please consider attending these activities as they are another wonderful way to gain and share information about blacksmithing.

The last activities included on the calendar are events hosted by ABANA or other ABANA affiliates.

Please contact an Officer for pertinent information about any activity.

Calendar

December 2011

  • December 3, 2011 at noon
    MABA sponsored event
  • MABA Annual Meeting and Christmas Party
  • Trinity United Methodist Church Hall
    7533 West St. Joseph
    Lansing, MI 48917
  • No demonstration, great potluck dinner, annual meeting with election of officers, scholarship awards, tool box raffle and our big fund raising auction. Plan to bring the family!
  • MABA Auction at 2:00 pm. Public is welcome to attend the auction!

January 2012

  • Saturday, January 28, at noon
  • Hosted by Kevin Keena and Owen Creteau, CJ Forge
    Hazel Park, MI 48030
    Demonstration By: Derrick Bliss, Traditional Joinery.
    Iron-In-The-Hat: Trivets

February 2012

  • Saturday, February 25, at noon
  • Hosted by Rod Lange, R S Lange & Sons, Inc.
    Romulus, MI 48174
    Demonstration: Power Hammer, Treadle Hammer & Tooling.
    Iron-In-The-Hat: Cork Screw

March 2012

  • Saturday, March 10, at noon
  • Hosted by Larry Carrigan at Shady Maple Forge
    Rives Junction MI, 49277
    Demonstration: Twists
    Iron-In-The-Hat: Twisted Towel Bars

April 2012

May 2012

June 2012

July 2012

  • July 2012 (Always the 3rd FULL weekend in July)
  • You are invited to Wood Shaving Days
    Sponsored by Friends of Hartwick Pines
    Hartwick Pines State Park, Grayling, MI
    Blacksmiths are invited to demonstrate for the public

August 2012

  • August 2012 (Always the 3rd weekend in August)
    Oakley Old Engine Show, located near Oakley, MI
    Free camping and admission for demonstrators, coal provided.
    Blacksmiths are invited to demonstrate and or sell to the public.
  • August 2012 (Always the 4th FULL weekend in August)
    You are invited to Black Iron Days
    Sponsored by Friends of Hartwick Pines
    Hartwick Pines State Park, Grayling, MI
    Blacksmiths are invited to demonstrate for the public

September 2012

  • September, 2012 - Labor Day Weekend
    U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Show
    Located at the U.P. State Fairground in Escanaba, MI
    Blacksmiths are invited to demonstrate and or sell to the public.

October 2012

November 2012

December 2012

Safety First!

Whereas the craft of blacksmithing is a potentially dangerous activity, any guest/visitor attending an activity hosted by the Michigan Artist Blacksmith's Association will be required to sign the Liability Release form and wear safety glasses while in the demonstration area or during a demonstration or anytime ANY metal work is being preformed at the demonstration area.

Please turn in your signed release form to any MABA officer at the MABA event.

Guests and visitors to an event must understand the unique safety issues involved with hot iron. Sparks Fly! Tools Break!

  • Wear safety glasses.
  • Wear natural fiber clothes like cotton. Synthetics are more flammable and they melt, potentially contributing to serious burns.
  • Wear closed toe shoes, leather if possible, high top leather is best.
  • Assume all iron; stock, tools, vises etc. are HOT.
  • Resist the urge to grab for falling objects. They can be very HOT.
  • Wear Ear Protection!