What's Wrong With This Picture?

The blacksmith goes camping but forgets all his iron tools to manage the fire!  :-)

Enjoying the Lavender at Calico Fields

We recently spent an afternoon at Calico Fields on the Eastern Shore in Maryland.  Calico Fields is a small family farm and it was a treat to meet the farmers at the Wye Colonial Fair in May.  We also love their products (especially their lavender and peppermint soap!). One of the blessings about doing demos is getting to meet wonderful people and experiencing new things; learning about Calico Fields is a perfect example of why we love getting out and about, both teaching and learning!

Blacksmithing Classes

Jeff has been doing a lot of teaching this year.  For adults, he's done an intro class and a tool-making class and had a great time with both.  He's also found great delight in teaching older children in semi-private class sessions, with prior interviews and parental involvement.  These photos are examples of students' work -- they haven good reason to be proud of their accomplishments! It's a great match of Jeff's skills, since he has long been an educator and communciator in his other jobs so he is able to make blacksmithing accessible to students.  If you are interested in taking a class with Jeff, please let us know.  We'd be happy to chat with you and see if it might be a good fit.

More Photos from May's Claude Moore Colonial Market Fair

We always enjoy seeing photos taken by visitors at our demos!  Many thanks so much for our friend, Darci, for sending these to us.  We'll be back at Claude Moore for the next fair, held on July 20-21.  We hope to see you there!

Still Lifes from Pioneer Farm at Mount Vernon

Note -- these photos were taken using my phone.

Distracted by a Poppy On My Way to Work

Our Time at Stratford Hall -- Great Blacksmithing & Great Company!

We had an amazing time at Stratford Hall this past weekend.  We were part of an incredible blacksmithing line-up that featured a colonial horseshoeing, blacksmithing, and smelting.  But, this was not just any blacksmithing event -- it was held on a historic and beautiful property.  Plus, we got to spend the time with some wonderful folks!  What could be better? 

It was a real treat to forge alongside these fine smiths.  Our good friend Steve Walthall demonstrated his farrier skills and smiths Steve Mankowski and Lee Sauder built a smelting furnace and turned iron ore into a bloom of iron and then into an axe.  They even gave the finished axe to our son!

It's a bit of a running joke that I tend to ruin my historical accuracy when I am in colonial attire interpreting for Jeff because I can't help but grab my camera throughout the day.  It's all true....but the light was great!

  

   

Celebrate Fairfax Festival Photos

If you happen to be visiting the Greenology Tent at the Celebrate Fairfax Festival (www.celebratefairfax.com) on June 7th-9th, please check out one of my photos on display.  I was recently advised that I am a finalist in their photo contest.

And, our older son's photo is also on display in the Youth division!

The Roses

By the end of the afternoon, I've worked at two jobs and am more than a bit tired.   I rush out to visit a sick child just home from the hospital, only to find out upon my return that the dog has chewed up my drop spindle that I just had outfitted with brand-new yarn that afternoon at Mount Vernon.  At these moments, it's good to take a moment in the garden... with the roses......

This Weekend -- 3 Blacksmithing Demos at Stratford Hall!

This unique event offers a rare opportunity to observe Colonial iron making, blacksmithing and horseshoeing all in one amazing venue!

   

Three separate but related blacksmithing demonstrations will be proceeding in parallel in the shadow of the beautiful historic home, Stratford Hall, which was the birthplace of Robert E. Lee and the home of his important colonial ancestors, two of whom signed the Declaration of Independence.  

 All of these interesting demonstrations are aimed at educating the public on the importance of ironwork to the establishment and growth of colonial America. 

Lee Sauder and Steve Mankowski will build a smelting furnace using clay and sand that will be fired and used to smelt a bloom of iron from little more than charcoal, iron ore and sheer will.  That material will be forged into a colonial axe similar to the ones used by our Founding Fathers.  

Jeff Dunkelberger, and his wife Caitlin Garvey, will demonstrate and interpret traditional colonial-period blacksmithing.

Steve Walthall, an award-winning professional farrier, will demonstrate and interpret many aspects of colonial horseshoeing.  

Rounding out the event will be Richmond-based Falling Creek Ironworks will be exhibiting and discussing archaeologically significant observations and research from the oldest ironworks in Virginia.

 

Cost of the program is $10 for adults ($5 each for groups of 3 or more), $5 children, free to children under 5. Admission includes a tour of the Great House. For more information on this program, please visit www.StratfordHall.org 

or phone 804-493-8038. 

Claude Moore's May Market Fair, Day 2

Many, many thanks for another wonderful day at Claude Moore's May Market Fair.  We had a great time and the fair was its usual fun, with great artists, good food, fencing, kids' activities, and even garden plants (I am headed out to the garden in a few minutes to find a home for some herbs, peppers, and a few other plants I couldn't resist).  We were especially blessed that one of Jeff's students was able to join us for the day.  We are so thankful for those of you who came out to see us....some friends even brought food and watched the kids for awhile!  Thank you! 

 

 

We'll return to Claude Moore July 20-21st for their next Market Fair.  We hope to see you!