Black Forest ArtWorks

Friday, May 8, 2015

A Spinning Wheel and the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

We were able to return to Maryland's Sheep and Wool Festival this past weekend (for the last few years, we've had blacksmithing demos that conflicted). Given our time away, I had plenty of things on my list! And, the biggest one was a spinning wheel. I was blessed to meet the wonderful Sunny and Tom Bixby of Liberty Ridge Farm and Gardens, got a quick spinning lesson from Sunny, and now own the double treadle portable Joy spinning wheel made by Ashford. Yippee! Now, I just need to become a proficient spinner!

Monday, May 4, 2015

Demo Photos from Bostwick Heritage Festival

We had a lovely day at the Bostwick Heritage Festival this past Saturday. Jeff had a great time blacksmithing and teaching (he demo'd his leaf hooks, nails, and a Civil War-styled cooking trivet, among other things). The kid-friendly anvil with aluminum was a hit, as always...with both children and adults! We also enjoyed the chance to show visitors my photography and handmade soap -- the soap turned out to be the hit of the day, with everyone enjoying the various scents (Peppermint/Grapefruit and Lime/Ginger were the favorites). And, Bostwick House (built in 1746) is amazing! It suffered greatly in the recent earthquake, but restoration work is in progress. All in all, a wonderful festival and we are happy to have been a part of it!

Friday, May 1, 2015

Friday in Focus: Pink Dogwood

"Pink Dogwood"

Location: My home garden

Equipment: Nikon D7000 with AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm 1:2.8G

Jeff at Fairfax Civil War Day

Jeff had a great time demo'ing at the Fairfax Civil War Day this past Saturday. Many thanks to Bonnie Hubbs/Fairfax Connection for this photo!

Tomorrow, we'll be at Bostwick Heritage Festival in Maryland, with blacksmithing demos, homemade artisan soap and photography. While a historic site, this is not a historic/costumed event for us, so we will be taking more of our products than just ironwork. We'd love to see you, so please stop by!

Friday, April 24, 2015

Friday in Focus: Spring Colors

1st Demo of the 2015 Season - the 15th Annual Fairfax Civil War Day is Tomorrow!

We'll be at Historic Blenheim tomorrow from 10-5 for the 15th Annual Fairfax Civil War Day. We had a great time last year and are excited to return. We'd love to see you, so please stop by!

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Happy Earth Day

All photos taken today at Huntley Meadows Park:

Friday, April 17, 2015

Friday in Focus: Shades of Spring

Thursday, April 16, 2015

Labyrinth Workshop

Recently, I had the great pleasure of creating my own labyrinth with Kathryn Coneway of Art at the Center. What fun! She's has another labyrinth-making workshop coming up, and you won't want to miss it...

First, I formed it out of red clay:

Then, glazed it a couple of weeks later:

Thanks, Kathryn!

Monday, April 13, 2015

Remnants from Cutting Metal...Getting Ready for Demos

Getting ready for demo season means cutting long pieces of metal down into the smaller sizes for various projects. Jeff hired our son to cut the metal, hence all the hash marks near some of his tools!

Friday, April 10, 2015

Friday in Focus: Star Magnolia

Photographed at River Farm, the American Horticultural Society

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

A Rewarding Morning at Mt Vernon's Archaeology Lab

After a morning of washing prehistoric artifacts, we had a nice collection of preforms and points! (In addition, rocks are to the side...and flakes are to the front).

Monday, April 6, 2015

Switching Gears....More Blacksmithing!

It's that time of year again, when blacksmithing starts to dominate Black Forest ArtWorks. Jeff was back in colonial garb the other day, headed off to an event!