Italian Master Blacksmith Claudio Bottero Class June 17th-19th

Italian Master Blacksmith Claudio Bottero, with his son Massimiliano, will conduct a 3 day demonstration/workshop June 17-19 that will focus on the creation of contemporary sculpture using traditional techniques.

The workshop will be held at Michael Bondi Metal Design at 2801 Giant Road, Richmond, CA 94806. Phone: 510-236-2607.

The sculpture will be made up of three different elements, each representing a bird in flight. Each element is composed of two parts joined by a “throttling”, embodying the birds head. The three elements will then be fixed to a base by the end of the wing.

The most important feature of this sculpture is that an oscillation develops throughout the piece thanks to the tapering of the base wing of each element. This gives the entire 10 foot sculpture a lifelike effect.

Friday will consist of Claudio, Massimiliano, and two CBA assistants demonstrating the techniques required to create this sculpture.

The format for the following two days will allow three CBA members per day to work on producing the sculpture, with the help of one of the assistants and the supervision of Claudio and Massimiliano. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch one of the worlds greatest master blacksmiths.

Lunch will be available each day and there will be an opportunity on Sunday afternoon for event attendees, as well as enthusiasts who were unable to attend the entire event, to meet Claudio and his team and to admire their work.

Payment should be made by check, to CBA, and mailed to the following address before June 5th.

Josh Buhlert
CBA Education Chairman
1415 Quarry Rd.
Placerville, Ca 95667

Pricing:
CBA members:
Spectators: $100/ 3 days
$50/ single day
Non-CBA member spectators:
$125/ 3 days
$65/ single day
Sunday 12 P.M. til close: $25
For information regarding the site please contact Michael Bondi Metal Design at 510-236-2607. Info is also available online at
http://calsmith.org/.

 

 

 

Zolie the Blacksmith

Zolie and “Grandpa Joe” got busy at the CBA blacksmithing conference this last weekend and made a nail for Shawn Lovell’s nail stump.

She really enjoyed hammering and hanging out with Joe. She woke us up at 6:45 am in the camp ground asking if grandpa was here yet.

I had a great time seeing all my friends, serving beer, exchanging tips and dreaming up the next project.

More Pictures

CA Blacksmith Spring Conference April 29th, 2010

April 29th – May 1st
Humboldt County Fairgrounds, Ferndale CA
Conference Schedule
Pay and Register
Demonstrators
Czech Republic: Pavel Tasovsky
Californians: Dorothy Stiegler • Jack daSilva • Peter Fels • Toby Hickman
Workshops to be led by Darryl Nelson & Mark Aspery
Accommodations
The conference will begin Thursday and end late Saturday night. Campsites, many with hook-ups, are available at no charge on site at the fairgrounds.

A special rate ($86) has been negotiated at the Best Western Motel, 3500 Broadway Street in Eureka, a half-hour drive from Ferndale.
Call or visit www.bwbayshoreinn.com (mention CBA).

Check www.victorianferndale.com for other accommodations in the area.

Reserve early because other events will also be happening in the area on that weekend.

Information
Contact Conference Chair Joe Koches
ph: 707/786-4216
email: blacksmith@foggy.net

More Spring Conference Information »

CBA Oktoberfest weekend with my girls

I spent last weekend with my friends and family at the California Blacksmith Ass. Oktoberfest. We had a great time talking shop, drinking, eating, sitting by the fire and forging metal. I love this group of people. I’m glad to see as I grow older there is still a place for my daughter to camp and play with a group of people just like when I was a kid. DIY is how you get things done for most of these smiths. Thanks!

More pictures

dsc_0116

Zolie Making a point for her marshmallow skewer with dad Rich and Grandpa Joe

dsc_0144

Zolie putting a double twist on her skewer

dsc_0029

Safety 3rd on the trilobite with an anvil helmet

dsc_0039

Big boy toys.

I’ve taken the trilobite to Burning Man, Handcar Regatta with lots of kids, but CBA blacksmith’s were by far the most play hard group of all.dsc_0052Andy was our demonstrator for the weekend  and put us all to shame with his hard work despite our attempts to calm him with our home brewed concoctions.

California Blacksmithing Oktoberfest Oct 2-4th 2009

I spent the weekend setting this up for the coming weekend and I think it will be a blast. If your interested in smithing or metal work this is a great place to hone your skills and meet some new people.

dsc_0732

Set up crew at the spot Jimmy passed away last year.

Pictures of our weekend

October 2 – 4, 2009 at the Hagist Ranch, Cazadero CA

Download Complete Information

Download Registration Form

Download Map

Download CBA membership form

Pre-registration is required.

There is a $30 per person penalty for all registrations received after September 28th.


It is very difficult to plan Oktoberfest without knowing how many people are coming. So if you plan to attend please pre-register to insure you will have a place. Space is limited and people trying to register on-site may be turned away.

You may pre register by printing the registration form and mailing it or you may register online using a credit card. Simply enter the name of each of your party and click the “add to cart” button. Do this for each person you wish to register.

Your payment will be processed through Pay Pal. You do not need a PayPal account to register, just any major credit card.

You will be prompted to enter the names for your conference badges on the final payment page. Please indicate which names are full registrants and which are non-participants.

Full Registration $85

Non-Participating Guest $55

You must be a CBA member to attend. You can join or renew your membership here:

Individual Membership $45

Family/Business Membership $50

If you are joining the CBA for the first time please print out and mail in the membership form to make sure we have all of your information. In the payment section write “paid on website”.

The Pre-registration rate is for registrations received on or before Monday, September 28th.

Registration after September 28th and on-site registration:

$115 Members
$85 Non-Participating Guests

OKTOBERFEST 2009

LEAD DEMONSTRATOR:  ANDREW DOHNER

Cochranton PA

Andrew Dohner has 10 years experience as an industrial welder and fabricator as well as extensive background as a journeyman blacksmith.  His journey has included opportunities to work in several shops and given him a diverse education culminating in a unique approach to forging steel.  He has taught classes and conducted several demonstrations.  His more recent work has been exhibited in Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina.  He produces functional architectural pieces including furniture, lighting and hardware.

CBA’s Oktoberfest takes place the first weekend of October every year at Frtiz Hagist’s Ranch in the beautiful coastal hills north of Cazadero. The weekend is filled with great food and friends, the occasional pyromania and of course some of the best blacksmithing around.

Post May Day

Wow!

I had such a wonderful time! My only regret was not being able to visit with more friends. I really want to thank all of the wonderful crew and volunteers that helped make it possible.

img_0001

Alan’s Pictures

Amani’s Pictures

Amy Jenkin’s

Jon Sarriugarte’s Pictures

Jalopnik

Brad

Send me your pictures!

Upcoming shows:

Maker Fair May 30, 31

Robo Games Party June 12th

Dorkbot 7 Year Anniversary Party at Our shop June 20

Pride Parade June 27th With the Golden Mean

Please sign up for the Golden Mean Fan Club on Facebook for future updates to our events.

“Warm cotton candy, straightjacket burlesque, the best pickles EVER http://www.nickandkivas.com, nail forging, steam cars to tesla roadsters….I have *blisters* from trying to see it all., and I didn’t even stay for the fireworks!”   …….Liisa Pine Schoonmaker

Blacksmithing at its best!

Wonderful weekend with the CA Blacksmiths. Here are just a few of the highlights of my trip.

img_0011_1

Way past Midnight Madness with some of the best smiths in the world and the Golden Mean!

img_0002 img_00031

My daughter’s first point!             Da Boyz salute to Jimmy!

img_0015 img_0007

Boiler Bar!                                      Steve Bondi’s work

More pictures

www.flickr.com
jon sarriugarte's items Go to jon sarriugarte's photostream