If I had a hammer

Two weekends ago I stopped by the Coupeville Art Fair blacksmith tent to say hello to friend Bruce.

“Are you going to Mt. Hood?” he asked me.

Bruce was referring to the Western States Blacksmith Conference and Blacksmith Wars World Championship.

“Wish I could,” I said. “I’ve got a bunch of other stuff going that weekend. Anyhow, I don’t even have a hammer.”

“You should reconsider. It’s going to be great.”

I knew he was right. We proceeded to talk hammers — I have a couple of pointers now for what to look for. Even better, Bruce offered to spend a day or two this fall helping me refresh my blacksmithing skills. Hopefully I’ll find a hammer by then.

Highlights of this year’s Western States Conference are the Blacksmith Wars, Farrier Competitions, and Glass Tile and Bead Making Workshops. Check out the most updated schedule below:

Western States Blacksmith Conference
August 22nd through 25th, 2013

Government Camp, Mt. Hood, Oregon
Online registration closing at 6 pm tonight!
(if you miss online registration just register at the conference when you arrive)

Updated Conference Schedule!

Updated 8-19-2013 – Subject to Change

Thurs Aug 22nd
Registration 9:00 am / Site #1
Farrier’s Competition 9 AM – 4 PM / Site #4

1:00 pm
Opening at Cascade Ski Club

1:00pm – 4:00 pm
Gunsmiths: Jon Laubach & Richard Sullivan / Site #3
Rick Smith / Site #1
Bob Kramer / Site #2
Hands-On / Site #1

5:30-6:00pm
AUCTION!

6:00pm – 9:00pm
Blacksmith Wars / Site #1

Friday Aug 23rd
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Maria Cristalli / Site #1
Bob Kramer / Site #2
Gunsmiths: Jon Laubach & Richard Sullivan / Site #3
Hands-On Blacksmithing / Site #1
Bladesmithing: Bill Burke & Shane Taylor / Site #1
Repoussé / Site #1

10:00 am – 2:00 pm on the hour
Fused Glass: Betsy Valian / Upper Arts Cabin

LUNCH 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Rick Smith / Site #2
Freddy Rodriguez / Site #1
Gunsmiths: Jon Laubach & Richard Sullivan / Site #3
Hands-On Blacksmithing / Site #1
Bladesmithing: Bill Burke & Shane Taylor / Site #1
Repoussé / Site #1

5:30-6:00 pm
AUCTION!

6:00 pm -9:00 pm
Blacksmith Wars / Site #1

Saturday Aug 24th
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Maria Cristalli / Site #2
Freddy Rodriguez / Site #1
Gunsmiths: Jon Laubach & Richard Sullivan / Site #3
Hands-On Blacksmithing / Site #1
Bladesmithing: Bill Burke & Shane Taylor / Site #1
Repoussé / Site #1

LUNCH 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

1:00 pm -4:00 pm
Blacksmith Wars / Site #1
Gunsmiths: Jon Laubach & Richard Sullivan / Site #3
Hands-On Blacksmithing / Site #1
Repoussé / Site #1

4:30 pm
Panel Discussion – Timberline Lodge Amphitheater

6:30pm
Banquet Timberline Lodge

Sunday Aug 25th
9:00am -12:00pm
Blacksmith Wars Conclusion & Judging / Site #1

Auction 12:00 pm
Immediately following Blacksmith Wars the items created by each team will auctioned off. The proceeds are given to the team who made the item in the Blacksmith Wars competition.

Gallery opportunity
NWBA Member Opportunity
Bring your finest creation to display in the NWBA Gallery at Western States Blacksmith Conference. People from all over the western United States and the world will be attending this conference, it is an opportunity for your work to be seen by hundreds of people. Bring them for display, or for sale. More info at Western States Blacksmith Conference and Blacksmith Wars World Championship web site.