#claude moore

[mudwerks]

Born without ears!...

[thechees]

Pic to Click

Two Turkeys take in the Claude Moore Colonial Farm goings on. Claude Moore is a self-sufficient and operating colonial farm; the market is open one weekend in the spring and fall. Check back for dates and times.

View On WordPress

[blackforestartworks]

The Hands-On Aspect of our Demos

One of the most popular aspects of our demos (aside from the fire and Jeff forging!) is a child-sized anvil that we put outside the ropes for folks to use.  We equip it with aluminum (which will bend and shape without needed to be heated), lightweight hammers,and tongs.    

We got the idea because our youngest son works on metal this way while Jeff is in the forge and it suddenly dawned on us that others would also appreciate it.    

Having the small anvil outside the ropes has added a whole dimension to our teaching capability.  While people love to watch blacksmithing, the entire experience becomes much more real when they actually hold metal with tongs and hammer on it.  

And, it's not just kids who appreciate the tactile experience!

Sometimes, people hammer away for a bit and then return later on to work on a piece again....or they bring someone else over to let them experience the process.  

In fact, with seven weekends of demos coming up, we need to get a decent supply of aluminum!

[blackforestartworks]

Candy Canes in October

  We might not have the kids' Halloween costumes figured out, but we are in fine shape for the December holidays!  Jeff has been in the forge making candy cane ornaments.  We made a few last year as gifts for teachers, but we were definitely a bit behind and didn't have time to make many more. 

This year is different.

 Jeff is already making a bunch for a local organization as the company's gifts for the staff/volunteers.  We'll also have some with us at Claude Moore Colonial Farm this weekend as we demo for their Market Fair.  If you'd like some and can't make it out to the Market Fair, just contact us and we'll be glad to ship them to you.

    And, if you happen to have ideas for Halloween costumes, please feel free to pass those along, too!

[blackforestartworks]

Making a Colonial Petticoat

Our "to-do" list is rather interesting right now, as we are getting ready for Jeff to head off to the ABANA conference in South Dakota tomorrow, work the conference since he is on the board of ABANA, and rush home on Friday in time to demonstrate at the Claude Moore Market Fair on Saturday and Sunday.  One of the things we'd love to get done today is to make me a new petticoat that will be lighter (and hopefully cooler!) for next weekend.

Neither Jeff nor I understand much about sewing, but we are muddling along, thanks in large part to some good instructions.  Hopefully, we'll get it done in time!

[blackforestartworks]

Teaching How to Card Wool

I spent this past Thursday at Claude Moore Colonial Farm at their Farm Skills program.  It is a hands-on history experience for children ages four and older.  I was placed at the carding wool station and had the privilege of showing 100+ children how to card wool.  It was great fun.   The kids were amazed to see the "dirty" wool and understand that it came from a sheep who was sheared and that the wool became yarn, which was eventually turned into cloth.  It's an amazing process, actually, and it was so rewarding when you "saw" the children understand!

What makes this program so wonderful is that the children actually get to do the things they are learning about, and so they actually carded the wool.  I would demonstrate the process and then they all could try it and see how the wool fibers changed as they were carded.  The children were then able to take their carded wool over to the drop spindles and try to spin their wool into yarn.  How cool is that?! We'll be back at Claude Moore July 21 and 22nd to demonstrate blacksmithing for the Market Fair.  Please come and visit.  We'd love to see you!