#jeffdunkelberger

[blackforestartworks]

Jeff in the Forge Preparing for the 14th Fairfax Civil War Day

Jeff likes to feature a project every demo season.  This past fall, he demonstrated leaf hooks.  The leaf hooks were great because Jeff's version of these hooks showed many basic blacksmithing skills in a quickly-moving project so many people could see those techniques (i.e. taper, twist, punch, etc...) within a 15- 20 minute time frame.  The hooks were perfect.  

With our first demo coming up on April 26th at the 14th Fairfax Civil War Day at Historic Blenheim (I saw an advertisement for the event when I flipped through the Weekend section of the Washington Post the other day!), Jeff is thinking through what he'd like to feature this spring.  He was toying with the heart he made in February so he went out to the forge to try various methods of making them. 

He'd hoped to be able to fashion them around the horn of the anvil, but wasn't pleased with how that worked.  So, you still have time to vote on various projects you'd like to see made!  

[blackforestartworks]

Forging a Piece for a Cradle and Community, Too!

About a month or so ago, we were contacted by someone who had found us on the Internet.  He had a new baby and wanted a piece forged for the baby's cradle.  His grandfather had forged the original pieces and one was in need of replacement.  We have young kids and can easily recall those sleep-deprived first months, so Jeff got right on this request.

When Jeff reached out via email to discuss shipping the finished piece, the address that we received surprised us.  Jeff asked me if it sounded familiar...and it did...it was about 3 miles down the road.  That's pretty incredible!  But, then, the address seemed even more familiar when the man gave us his last name for the shipping....

It turned out that this young family with a new baby was a family that we'd taken a meal to through our church's food ministry just the week before!  We'd never met them before but our church has a wonderful ministry of providing meals to folks who could use a break so we'd signed up and Jeff had delivered supper.   He'd dropped off the food to the family....having no idea at all that he was also chatting with the husband via email about ironwork.  It was a funny, wonderful coincidence.   

[blackforestartworks]

Jeff in a Documentary

Jeff was recently asked to be in a documentary as part of a friend's college class.  Of course, he said, "yes!" (he's that kind of guy!) and the forge was turned into a movie studio.  It was a fun learning experience and we can't wait to see the final footage.  Thanks, Brian!

[blackforestartworks]

Recent Photography Honors

My photo "Sugar Cookies" will be included in an exhibition titled "Feast" at Darkroom Gallery opening November 14th.  

In addition, "Autumn Reflections" was honored with an "honorable mention" award and is on display at the following galleries, as part of exhibitions supporting River to Well:

Lawrence, Kansas — Signs of Life Gallery, November 8

Minneapolis, Minnesota — Ambiente Gallerie, December 6, through January 1. 

Finally, several of my photographs were used in a recent newspaper article about Montessori students studying, raising, and releasing Monarch butterflies: 

The article and photos are on page 22 of this edition: 

http://connectionarchives.com/PDF/2013/110613/Mt%20Vernon.pdf

[blackforestartworks]

Happy Halloween!

Our kids were super excited to go Trick-or-Treating tonight.  Jeff wasn't sure about getting dressed up.  I thought that was hilarious, given how often we get dressed up in costume for various blacksmithing demos.  We've been dressed in costume twice this week already!  Why not add on one more night, especially for the kids?!

Happy Halloween!

[blackforestartworks]

A Gathering of Friends at Claude Moore's Colonial Market Fair

We had a wonderful time at Claude Moore Colonial Farm's October Market Fair.  It was truly a gathering of friends on both sides of the safety ropes, as we had friends forging with us and as we also got to catch up with lots of regular visitors.  We've been doing these Market Fairs for the past 4 years and it's always nice to see everyone. 

We focused on forging rookers and votive candleholders both days of the fair.  And, what's a Market Fair without turkeys or geese roaming the grounds, not to mention the famous call of "Bread, Bread for Sale"...?

Please mark your calendars now for the May Market Fair at Claude Moore on May 18th and 19th-- we'd love to see you!  

[blackforestartworks]

Prince William Forest Demo Cancelled Due to Government Shutdown

We are very sorry to have to announce that this Saturday's blacksmithing demo at Prince William Forest Park has been cancelled due to the government shutdown.  The park is closed.  We hope that the demo will be rescheduled, and we'll update the schedule once we have a date. 

[blackforestartworks]

You Know You're a Blacksmith When....

Your money has singe marks on it!  

Many thanks to our friend E.J. for noticing this fact and finding it so hilarious that she documented it with a photo!