Blacksmith Xiaoyao Yang

Xiaoyao Yang has come along to Blacksmith Doris twice. From what I understand, it has been her first experience of playing with metals.  Xiaoyao studied Environment Art Design and has never had the opportunity to test materials before.

The first image is work undertaken on Xiaoyao's first Doris Day.

The second work explores the techniques that were learnt on her first day, points and curves, and fire welding which was learnt on her second day.

Xiaoyao Yang
Flower Arrangement
forged mild steel  

Xiaoyao Yang
Lanp Stand
forged mild steel with fire weld

Chain Making

Beka, one of the Doris', has posted her chain making day on her blog, One Clockwork Rabbit.
It was her first time at chain making though she is pretty good at fire welding.

Beka Hannah

Doris Day

There will be a Blacksmith Doris day in Melbourne, Australia, at the residence of one of the members on this Saturday, 3rd November.  If you are interested in coming please send an email to blacksmithdoris@gmail.com.  For this meeting there is no need to be a member of the Australian Blacksmiths Association (Vic) although there will still be a charge of $4 for coke and a donation to Doris for materials etc.

Blacksmith fashion

Alice's Fashion and Welding Blog
This is an interesting blog.  Alice is doing her dissertation with the title:  "Women Blacksmiths: a study of how fashion can save them from sexual exploitation" 
As it suggests, Alice is searching for, and designing, attire for women blacksmiths to wear at work.  She hopes to create a garment that is both protective but flattering that is not exploitative.   
In one post there is an outfit that she has designed that I would love to wear at the forge or not.  

Also, here is a link to a sixteen year old woman blacksmith farrier that you may find interesting:
http://www.britishpathe.com/video/lady-blacksmith-1
I found it on Alice's blog.

Proud Family

Birth of Scarlet the Forge Part 3

Filling in with bricks

Space left around the air pipe (tuyere) for the fire to be built

I have said it once and will say it again: Isn't she beautiful

the air gate or valve which regulates the air flow.  It needs a bit of work.

Adding the coke dust to build the hearth.

Excitement builds

The hole is filled

More Snaps from the Birth of Scarlet

It is hard not to communicate in metaphors in the making of this first forge who has a name - Scarlet, due to her red legs - and a gender.  She is beautiful!  We are all very proud!

Oh, the wailing!

The adding of the air pipe 

Beauty in making!

Attaching the lungs ( blower )

a very tiring but satisfying experience

Blacksmith Doris Makes Her First Forge

The members of Blacksmith Doris gathered together for a special day. 

 It was time to build ...  A Forge of One's Own.  

It is not that we dislike the forges at the Australian Blacksmith's Association of Victoria, in fact we do love them very much.  It is just that every girl needs their own forge and the only way to get one is to make it yourself.

A lot of the women were comfortable with the tools used, but some had never worked with them before.  Those who could taught those who couldn't and by the end of the day everyone could.  

the plasma cutter

learning how to weld

sexy legs

That blue haze is so romantic

looking very good indeed

                                 to be continued......

Doris Day

Due to Doris' normal work day falling on Easter Saturday, we are changing the working day to Saturday, April 14th .  

To view where we meet and the application process go to:

Australian Blacksmiths Association (Victoria)

To work please bring safety equipment - natural fibered clothing, leather apron, goggles, earmuffs or plugs; work gear - hammer etc; and $4 for coke.

The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago

This is The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago made between the years 1974 - 1979.  You might be asking why this has been added to a blacksmithing blog.  What Judy did was to gather women who where crafts people using traditional women's craft to build this installation about women.  What would it look like using blacksmithing for an installation of the same ilk?  Would it resonate today?

I have included the link to the original source at the Brooklyn Museum, and to Judy Chicago's web site.  The Brooklyn Museum also shows details of the table and descriptions.

Judy Chicago, the Dinner Party - the Brooklyn Museum.

Details of the Dinner Party

Judy Chicago's web site

Basic Blacksmithing by J. B. Stokes

               
                   I fell upon this little gem while searching for something else.  It is an electronic
                   version of basic blacksmithing which I found in the FAO publications.  FAO is
                   the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.  On their website
                   they give their objectives as:

Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO's efforts - to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

FAO's mandate is to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy.

One thing that they do is to publish information essential to living skills and one of those is blacksmithing.  It is also possible to buy the book and a couple of others which I think would be a nice thing to do.

Basic Blacksmithing by J. B. Stokes
It can't be reproduced in anyway without permission.

January Report

Doris Report

• At present there are 15 paid up ABA Vic women members who attend / or plan to attend  Blacksmith Doris days.
• Approximately fourteen previous Doris members have not renewed their memberships.
• There are over forty-two persons outside of ABA Vic memberships on the mailing list for updating of Doris events.

December Meeting

• The December 2011 meeting was held on Saturday, 3rd.
• Beka Hannah helped build fires for those who needed help.
• The women made a punch to add to their tool kit.
• The women continued with their own projects.
• The round table discussions at lunch time continue to be helpful to the Doris members as each woman shares their knowledge and experiences.

At the moment Blacksmith Doris is held six times a year on the first Saturday of every second month.  The dates for 2012 are as follows:

• 4th February
• 7th April
• 2nd June
• 4th August
• 6th October
• 1st December

Doris Days are for women only unless directly invited.