Knitting (Starting Over, Again)

The last time I worked on these finger-less gloves, I was in the waiting room prior to my shoulder surgery the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  It's been awhile!  Maybe the fact that I picked these up again means that I am healing?  I am hopeful....

Marbling My Soap

I just tried something new -- combining my love of marbling and soap-making.  I just made a batch of lavender/rosemary/patchouli soup and painted on it with several mica powders.  So far, the results look amazing!  Since I have never tried to marble on my soap before, I used a simple design with a stylus.   If it works, I will try out some of the techniques that I've been taught by Regina and Dan St. John at classes hosted by Cat Tail Run Hand Bookbinding.  How fun!

Jeff Presents at the Upcoming ABANA Conference

Jeff is passionate about teaching youth so he is very happy to be co-leading the Youth Teaching Tent at the upcoming ABANA conference in Salt Lake City in July.

Here is the conference description: "We realize the youth are the future and have a thirst for trying new things. This tent will offer forging and more! This will offer a fun intro to various crafts including leather working and enameling.

Jay Burnham-Kidwell and Jeff Dunkelburger will lead the children's (of all ages) education program. Jay and Jeff have extensive experience in smithing and teaching. Their teaching station will introduce young people to blacksmithing using demonstrations, discussions of history and samples of smith made objects. There will be lots of interaction between Jay, Jeff and the children while they learn about tools, materials, history and a bit of humor!  

Demonstrations will teach how steel and other materials can be shaped by hammer. Following the demonstrations there will be the opportunity for hands-on forging experience to experience what smiths do at the forge." 

Jeff can't wait!

"Blacksmithing Through History" Summer Camp

Jeff is very excited to be co-leading a "Blacksmithing Through History" camp this summer at St. Albans School from June 20-24 for 8th through 12th graders.  We love working with St. Albans!

Here's the course description: "This one-week course, open to students grades 8-12, offers a unique opportunity to experience a cross-discipline approach to the history of blacksmithing. Students will learn the role metallurgy, in general, and blacksmithing, in particular, had in shaping human civilization and culture. In addition to classroom topics that include mythology, the arts, and technological advancements from western Europe to western Africa, students will spend half of their time at a forge creating their own pieces. Under the guidance of professional blacksmith Jeff Dunkelberger, students will forge three pieces and learn the basic skills of blacksmithing."

"After the Wedding Photos" Chosen for Exhibit

I just received word that my photo (above) was chosen as part of the "Culture" exhibition at the Darkroom Gallery, opening March 3rd.  Wonderful news!

Winter Baking with Summer in Mind