I've been to two national ABANA conferences (Flagstaff and Seattle), a state-wide conference (CBA Spring Conference), and several regional and local hammerfest/hammer-in events.    Of them all, the one I consistently prefer is the one regional event that has found the right mix of teaching and camaraderie.  I know that I'll feel, welcome, and will learn things that I can use, every time I attend.    At most blacksmithing conferences, I find myself on the outside looking in (emotionally), even though I've been attending at least one conference a year since 1998 (or maybe it was 97).    Think inclusively

I did not answer any of the conference questions as I cannot see myself getting to any in the foreseeable future, as I live overseas from America.

Making contact and receiving responses from individuals related to the website or ABANA processes has been poor to non-existent. If individuals commit to a position it needs to be done for other than political reasons. Being a representative of a national organization means filling a large pair of shoes. I don't think previous representatives realize this before committing. I don't think I would be up to the task.

I would utilize the web more but I am some what green at it. I wish there were more opportunities for women. I find there are few women that are active in my local affiliates; hence I do not get involved. New England And Conn. What could change that?

I wish the anvil’s ring would stick to more traditional content and not all of this modern art crap!!! It most of the time has very little actual blacksmith techniques.  Blacksmithing is old school and should be left that way.  I recently bought a new Say-Mak trip hammer from Tom Clark and have become pretty good friends with him.  I with you all would include him and use his talents, contacts, drive, and knowledge to help your organization.

Have wanted to participate more with Board but am too far away to do so.  Long years ago, used ABANA to locate individuals in my area (Odessa, TX at the time) and ended up with loose group that met irregularly but had a lot of fun (called 'Hammer, Tongue, & Mug Gathering' ... but not in that order necessarily).  Tried again a couple of years ago but found no one nearby.  Would like to be able to access the contents of both Anvil's Ring/Hammer's Blow via internet when I can't find my old copies/contents I need (re: Ques 22) but can't see paying for access when I pay my overall dues.  Am trying to set up to train local Boy Scouts on Blacksmithing Merit Badge.

I think the web site should be improved a bit.  It is a bit hard to navigate, and there isn't all that much activity there.  Additional galleries might be nice.

Couldn't answer Q#34 because not sure of the number of days, and opening and closing times.  Less than $100 per day for lodging, and $10 per person per meal.

I filled out this survey awhile back. I never attended a conference because of the cost.

I would like to see more outreach type programs to educate the public about blacksmithing. Maybe some ABANA sponsored exhibits that travel about the US and Canada.  Something that connects the practical history and the artistic craft.

I'll think about it

I think that the magazines look good and are well produced.  When one considers how small of a market blacksmiths represent it is pretty amazing that anyone can afford to produce a magazine.  Check out the MAKE magazine.  This is a younger crowd that is hungry for the kind of info that ABANA is all about.

Now looking for info on how to get my files cleaned, Had them for some time now and not as good as they used to be, I work a small Swedish #3-80# Anvil, are there any Hardies available? Been making my own, And like to know what is on the market, We can rework them to fit our Anvil,    We work a Propane Forge by Mike Porter made from Seattle He wrote a Book on Forges [very good designed Forges] Bye For Now, Smile GOD Loves You And Yours 

I believe regional meetings will work. It’s too hard to provide a good meeting if the crowd is too big. Meetings like SOFA would work.  Then the big meeting could be every 2 years, at one location.

After studying the ABANA board structure it is easily apparent how you have fallen into this trap...the NOMMA board had similar issues until the early 1990's when significant changes were made, largely due to the bravery of Alex Klahm who stepped up and challenged the old guard to make for a better future for the organization. There is NO WAY ABANA can continue to function as it has unless the board structure is overhauled and new leadership is recruited and term limits are set...this is the beginning.   I do not claim to fully understand the situation but I may be able to offer some insight into how NOMMA has overcome some of the obstacles you are facing.  

ABANA needs to be the foundation, the corner stone; they have not fulfilled this core requirement in my opinion.  They need to be strong and stationary, when they prove this, then all smiths will make the journey to join.

I think the new format for the Anvil's Ring is inferior compared to the old one.  The new size is cumbersome and the cover stock is too light. It usually arrives damaged in the mailbox now.  The quality reduction actually borders on insulting considering that the annual dues were increased around the same time the quality of that publication decreased. It seems a rather "less for more" proposition at this point.

I have completed this before.

Feel ABANA is doing a fair job but feel efforts would be better served by partnering with local/regional affiliates versus trying to be a large "governing" body.  Focus should be on continuing education for blacksmiths, including information on how to develop a blacksmithing business.  Also consider assisting affiliates with community involvement, membership development and public awareness.

Bigger is not always better.  I have always felt that by attending one part of an ABANA conference I am missing something else that I wanted to see.  CanIRON V (2005) in Nova Scotia, Canada, was a very good, small and intimate, conference.  Two main demonstration forges and several training stations, a large (but simple) gallery and many international and local demonstrators (all of whom were paid). During the conference, there were never more than two choices to make at any one time.  The event was very successful, both financially and with respect to attendee satisfaction.  It was followed by a major gallery presentation in Halifax, Nova Scotia, of the work produced at the conference.    I think this might be the way of the future for ABANA.

There are those who want to start a new smithing organization. I don't think that is necessary. Just make ABANA better.    P.S. I'm not "a workhorse for ABANA", because I'm not much of a joiner, by nature. I've joined because of by business, the magazines, and as a matter of good will.

I am fairly new to ABANA, and have some difficulty finding info on chapters or affiliates, where ABANA meetings and events are, etc.

What are the criteria for having one/some of my work published in the Anvil Ring?

thanks for taking polls///

The modern smith is a person of many hats; the work alone is hard and long. Maybe some small business success info or liability boundaries would help. Here many projects I work on call for $2,000,000 bonds. I can’t tell you how many backyard shops deflate the worth of our talents not to mention their own profits. I would like to see all who strive at this trade paid what its worth.

One thing that has diluted the effectiveness of ABANA is the large number of hobbyists as opposed to serious blacksmiths. I wouldn't say exclude the hobbyists, as their participation helps to pay the bills, but slant the organization especially presentations and conferences toward the serious blacksmith.

I haven’t been to a get together in 3yrs. or so. Copperstown farmers museum last. Ashowken, {not spelled right I know} has been a gift, I even have a powerhammer. I was surprised to hear ABANA was having troubles, as an artist, motivation is sometimes a problem, add to that a job change and just basic surviving, my ABANA support was less. I do feel it’s important to continue this org. for myself and others. So I hope this survey helps...and good luck pulling this together.

As a long time member (38 years) of the Experimental Aircraft Association at Oshkosh Wi. A prime model of organization.    A. a central location.  B. family orientation.

I am new to ABANA. I enjoy being a member. I'm a full time blacksmith and fabricator. I am not an artist though and my blacksmithing work deals with repairs. Example: farmers, loggers, ranchers, etc. I find myself doing more practical things with blacksmithing since it is how I feed my family. I am 38 years old. I have no college degree, and no rich clients. I don't have a portfolio, but I manage to earn a living blacksmithing. Please consider blacksmiths like myself in your editing of your periodicals.

This is the second time I have completed this survey.  As before, I believe that ABANA is a business entity that first and foremost, must be run like one. The recent Seattle fiasco was arguably a result of one member "doing his own thing" without oversight by the rest of the board, who were off doing "their own thing".    Conferences are wonderful events, but they must be of benefit to the rank-and-file members and enhance ABANA's financial bottom line.  If this cannot be done, no conferences should be contemplated.

I think ABANA should focus on quality blacksmithing, promoting quality blacksmithing, educating the public about quality blacksmithing, and teaching young aspiring smith’s quality blacksmithing.

I did not answer 32-33-34 as I will not be attending due to health and traveling reasons.

I like to read how to make things

Please get back on track. I know it easy for me so say that and not so easy for you to do. However, I real thought that 2007 was a very bad year for ABANA. It just seemed that no one was at the helm.

People on the board that don't have the interest of the greater membership at heart. Alienation of professional smiths, conferences too extravagant, unnecessary crap, bands, fire shows etc, how bout just some damn good blacksmithing. So many good blacksmiths and it seems only the ok ones demo.

It would be very helpful, at least for full-time professional smiths, for the authors of articles depicting big, showcase works (like elaborate railings) to share the cost of such work.  I know that many of my fellow smiths often struggle with pricing and we often wonder what others charge for their work.

I'm too new to this organization to have ideas about serving my needs since I don't know what my needs are yet.

My budget is spent on membership. I do not have the time or money to devote to this hobby. I am happy with both Anvil’s Ring and Hammer’s Blow.

There are some articles and materials from Anvil's Ring and Hammer's Blow that would be quite valuable, but back issues are no longer available.  Have you thought about compiling/editing a "best of..." collection or anthology from older issues and offering it for sale?

To be honest, the main reason I belong to ABANA it to get the magazines.

Please read comments in the survey.  Thank you

Would you be able to sell instructional material proceeds to help finance ABANA and help instructor authors finance their work? This would be a good starting point for beginners. Perhaps some online learning for advanced techniques.

ABANA has been a great organization, and really helped me when I started out in 1994. I would hate to see it dissolve or deteriorate. Please keep up the great work. I appreciate all that the Board members have done. I know it isn't easy. I would like to see the in-fighting go away and a renewed spirit of cooperation take hold once more. We are at least that good.

Make your shop stock more reasonable to purchase for overseas members.  That is, charge a reasonable postage rate. Make hire demo tapes available for purchase. Continue with this process of asking questions of your membership and be prepared to change and adapt to their requirements. Don't become an exclusive group.

This has been a great hobby for the past 30 + years. I've made a lot of friends and attended many conferences. I hope and pray we can have many more years of ABANA.

In 1957 the stone Moses Wilder Blacksmith Shop was moved from Bolton, MA to Old Sturbridge Village.  In 1976 my wife and I bought the property on which the shop stood in Bolton.  We recently completed the reconstruction of the shop on the original foundation and equipped it with a full set of antiques tools.  This November all of the OSV blacksmiths visited the shop and worked the forge.  The publicity has resulted in inquiries from many individuals as well as a couple of metalworking teachers at regional vocational schools.  I'm interested in how the shop and its publicity could be used to further the interests of blacksmithing and ABANA.  Your thoughts?

I think you folks are doing a bang up job!

Yes Blacksmithing is an art form but it is also a survival skill. Without those basic skills being taught, all the art in the world isn't going to save us from the very real danger of social collapse. Please don't discount the utilitarian nature of the Blacksmiths craft.

I wish you would try to focus on highlighting metal smiths with particular skills & specialties; and do some in-depth interviews to find out (for the readers/members) how these smiths got started in their businesses, and how they'd recommend going about doing likewise- (what are their best suggestions, hardest lessons, and visions for their futures and for metal smithing in their locales).

More step by step information on making tools, shaping leaves and the sort. Tempering metals, blending different metals/metallurgy, hammering techniques to maximize metal movement. Experimentation in the field of metal work. Help people to develop their own style of art.

As an NWBA member, I have found the pre 06 Seattle conference board to be completely unresponsive to needs and requests of our association. As a result, the conference was a failure and ABANA lost members. Had Claire Yellin, as was suggested to her, asked those who were on the board at that time to resign, a measure of confidence and credibility could have been re-established?  I will not renew my membership until those board members resign, or are off the board. I have maintained my membership in hopes that those on the pre 06 board would accept responsibility for their grievous actions and do the right thing by resigning. Obviously, no one seems to be accountable, including the leadership.

I believe the conferences were better done by the local chapters who had more local knowledge and ability to give conferences a local flavor.  My favorite conference was Flagstaff.      Members of my affiliate group may not be very sophisticated; they were much happier watching demonstrations by Dorothy Steigler, Meagan Crowley, and Toby Hickman than multiple Japanese bladesmiths or obscure methods by European blacksmiths, all of whom may well be considered masters in their field.     It is pretty clear that membership numbers must rise considerably before ABANA has the money or the people to accomplish a lot. I hope you will put a lot more effort into growing the organization, including consulting with professionals about how that is done by other national organizations.  Board members work hard, but they do not know everything.  That's why God made consultants.  A little money spent getting advice on membership drives from a professional might go a long way toward helping us over the hump.    Just a note:  I think it is entirely appropriate to expect us professional blacksmiths to pay a larger membership fee.  I would start at $100. and grow that amount as ABANA services for professionals grow.

Something needs to be done to encourage better member participation (including me!) at all levels.  With better participation, I believe some of the problems will diminish with of better understanding of the problems.

I don't want to sound like I am knocking ABANA. I firmly believe that ABANA should be kept alive. I have nothing against international demonstrators; however, if that adds too much cost, keep them national. Some people complain about the membership cost, but if they will consider the cost per day, it is cheap!!! (I am sounding like an insurance salesman!!) Good Luck with the chores ahead.

Nothing at this time.

I would appreciate having more sources for materials and equipment available.

Focus more on local talent for conferences, Limit demonstrators. All this to help keep it affordable. Focus on all levels of blacksmithing. All levels make up our group not just the best ones. The magazines are great.

If you have a central location perhaps there is less drive to just out do the last conference with extra fluff. Plan on the basics and get a community interested in supporting the conference.

Promotional opportunities.

I know running ABANA must be difficult, but I feel we need the return of the conference, even if some changes need to be made,

I can't comment on ABANA internal structure, politics, and costs or on conferences because I have no experience with them, but I would like to attend a conference in future if possible.

As a rank beginner with only one school under my belt AND the intention of doing more in the future, but not immediately, I am happy to observe the work of others and read about available equipment, tools, and places to learn. My favorite school - John C Campbell

I think the Conferences are an excellent idea. I attended the Alfred and Asheville conferences and found them both informative and stimulating.

Discounts from suppliers for ABANA membership, identify local sources of supply, online real time instructional video files.

I'm sorry I can't help you with any money limits.  That is a highly variable feature in my life.  What would be good one year would be too much the next.  If I'm going to go across the country to a conference, I may not want to spend all my time at the conference.  I'll want to see the local area.  I might be interested in only a day or day of events and not the whole week.  A pricing structure that would encourage even people dropping in for a day would be nice.  I was in Seattle at the time of the conference but had been told there were no partial memberships for anything other than the whole thing.  ABANA is nice but it's not my total life.  I wanted to see Seattle too but the pricing structure made me chose one or the other.  I choose Seattle and Vancouver.  Re getting the magazines electronically.  I'm mixed on this.  I get the AABA one both ways.  I like electronically because I can really zoom into the pictures to study details.  But I prefer hardcopy for long-term storage.  Computers have too many problems to be the only available copy of something.  I couldn't print a PDF copy with as good of quality.  I like the Anvil's Ring and Hammers Blow. I do understand that production prices keep going up and I consider a quality magazine worth adjusting the budget for every few years.

keep the high quality pictures of work coming

General rant-Any smiths that live in my area don't appear to want to get together for any reason. No one wants to take time for anything other than work. If any do, it's only the well acquainted and experienced (or the SCA folks -not quite the same thing-it's a pretty shoestring operation, and they can really make up a lot of drinking stories) I will make do with the video rentals.     As far as ABANA goes, just keep trying to press on. I am sure that there are a few other members like me

more things for the beginner and intermediate blacksmiths to encourage them the field

Most of the info seems more advanced than normal blacksmithing.  I would like to see an alternative offering of beginning techniques and projects that would help get a person the training to advance.  I like the idea of journeyman programs and maybe even a standardized type of certifications.

Ok old business I'm a licensed pyrotechnician, and shoot as the "shooter in charge" for professional shows that makes me responsible everyone’s safety. Yes I have shot anvils, and before this goes farther I play by the rules so no ABMA shoots. Yes people have been hurt doing this, but there are rules that when applied would make this a lot less likely NFPA guidelines for example. Note that any activity caries risk and liabilities, I still do public demonstrations of blacksmithing.    So where are the articles on super charged power hammers and those other fun things, ABANA appears to be taking this way too seriously.    After 30 some years working with my own forge charter member of the local ABANA group, and nearing retirement so I can have more time at my forge where is ABANA going to be in 10 years?

I like the concept of blacksmithing, and belong to ABANA for the 2 magazines.  I would like to do more with it totally as a hobby, and occasionally fixing broken pieces on the farm.  I do enjoy local meetings when they are not to far off. I have enjoyed 2 ABANA meetings in Asheville and in Kentucky.  I thought both were overly large and expensive.  There were so many things going on I missed a lot of what I would have liked to seen.  Smaller more frequent "Regional" meetings would be more economical and probably draw more members overall.  Good Luck with the planning.

A lot of your members want how to articles which the Hammers blow is good for. I think some want the Ring to do the same. What they do not seam to understand is that the work in the Ring is to inspire then and to show what can be done. What I think would help the Blow is to try to lean to teaching how to do a process and not a particular project. (give a fish, teach to fish) Teach how to create your own projects, not copy a plan.   Also you need to try to address the needs of the professional smith. Yes they are not as big in numbers but they have a lot of information they can share. That can help ABANA grow.   ABANA need to help spread the word about blacksmithing (what is out there, what can be done, where to learn, where to get, where to have things made) TO THE PUBLIC, not just to its members.

Most smiths working in hot metal today are being challenged by the rising costs of the falling economy.  One of the most important missions for ABANA is to create a formal setting or settings for their members to display their work to the public. Gallery shows and juried exhibits need to take place often.  Invitations for metal shows are important for the non famous to survive.    If you want to display blacksmithing in the Anvils Ring please start to promote works that display more smithing and less Hi tech lath and fab. work.  Some of it is starting to look like the beginning elements were bought from King A and welded together.

Metalworking business workshops, etc cost quoting.

I would like to know more about professional development in this craft

More activities on the West coast would be appreciated.  Most training and activities seem to take place east of the Mississippi.  I realize the demographic in the West may be low, but I'm feeling a little lonely!

Conferences should be in smaller centers, not associated with an institution, in say a fair ground.  And everyone should pay, no free lunch, volunteers should be exactly that.

ABANA has great potential.  It has been seemingly stuck in turmoil in many ways.  I tend to work more in practical aspects.  Any "art" is probably accidental.  I also combine traditional and modern metalworking techniques.  I travel a lot for my day job.  We are planning for a regional event in New York State next fall.  I am interested in seeing how that format works out.

I am a fairly experienced metal worker always looking for NEW ideas, methods etc., as well as professional development and business advice from those who are successful at it. As far as magazine (ring and blow) content, I'd like more new and different how-to's and not more re-do's of the same stuff that you can find elsewhere.

Update the ABANA website, I can get I info from other sites long before they are posted on ABANA.    This is the third survey I have taken! I don’t know why it said I haven’t taken one.

I have three young students (16-17) working with me and I believe that that the ABANA membership fee is to high for them. But the quarterly publications are an inspiring part of their learning, having their own copy puts it readily at hand with out having to borrow.

I'm retired, have no place to practice 6 months of the year on the South Texas Gulf Coast. Have fun when at my shop in southeast Nebraska. Very satisfying to do whatever I please. Have no plans to expand. Enjoy association with other smiths and tinkering at whatever turns me on. I'm 82, in good health; no longer lift anvils etc. since double hernia surgery a year ago so I have dispersed my portable forging equipment. Love ABANA and its publications.

Thank you for all your hard work.

For as much as I pay for membership I would like to get more than 8 magazines a year.  I know my dues go to other things as well, but as someone who just does this as a hobby the amount of information I get for the price is outrageous.

Question 34 did not specify the number of days.  A 3 star hotel for <$150per night plus optional meals and receptions as events costing $20 to $50 per event.  At least one reception as part of the registration.

The one thing about ABANA that really bugs me is that you don't have Anvil's Ring and Hammer's Blow archives on-line.  (Heck, you don't even have a decent index on-line.)  These publications represent a vast repository of useful information, and you do your membership a great disservice by making this information so difficult to access.  If it's a money issue, charge a fee for on-line access, but it's obnoxious that the only way to get to this information is to buy paper copies of past issues (and that, after more-or-less guessing what they might contain).

Many of us would really like very much to do this for a living. Any possible leads on employment situations would be helpful. Such as Railroads, Steel Mills, Shipyards, Fabrication Shops, Places that need working blacksmiths should be connected with guys looking for employment. Many of us don't consider ourselves "artists" and we don't call our shops "studios". Try to remember us too. Thanks

More vendors for misc., tools, tool steel, more DVD's

We need conferences. That is the whole point. They should be in rotating locations around the country. They should be at fairground-type locations with plenty of cheap real estate. Tailgaters should be encouraged. One common banquet. Fund-raising auction afterwards: encourage donations of books already read, superseded tools, special steel stock left over from recent projects---anything remotely related to blacksmithing---not just items made by blacksmiths for sale to other blacksmiths who could make the things themselves just as easily. Food vendors at all other times (not just roach coaches---interesting ethnic ones) so people do not have to leave the site during demonstrations searching for overloaded local restaurants. Organize demonstration schedules in advance, post the schedules and stick to them.

Try to find corporate sponsorship for magazine, newsletters, local hammer-ins and national conference.      Perhaps set an upper limit on domestic travel reimbursement for demonstrators as a cost saving measure.  I know that for a few conferences in which I was part of a demonstration group, I wouldn't have minded too much if all that was covered was the conference fee, some portion (half, perhaps) of my room and board, and some fraction of my travel costs.  Particularly as I was part of a group.  I think that individual demonstrators who may have to prepare a lot and perform their demo several times should be better compensated that I was when I was part of the Latane group.  Just a thought.  I think I'd have probably been willing to be part of the group for the conference fee, and some of the travel, paying for my own room and board.  This somewhat could depend on how far I had to travel, though.

I was not able to find a membership list on the website. I think the more we are able to communicate with each other the better. For my particular situation, more info on what others do to create consistent income from their business would be helpful.

More info on traditional/historical methods and products. Also, most articles are 'art' oriented or beyond the reach in tooling for small operations and hobbyists.

I really enjoy being a member of ABANA, as of now I have no complaints.

I volunteered to be appointed to the ABANA Board, that's the single best thing I think any member could do to improve ABANA.

I am a 51 year old female student in a private art school in Detroit. I am learning not so much for a career, but to be productive in retirement, and possibly include this work in Art Therapy as a potential part-time career.  I wouldn't mind a stand alone publication that has photographic illustrations of step-by-step for projects and would pay appropriately for the subscription (similar to Woodturners Journal, Ceramics Illustrated). I want to be able to do repousse and cast work into smithing and have not yet found my preferred area of work. I seem to like to do a little of everything.    This survey shows you are interested in what I want to learn, and I am exceptionally curious to see how my opinion will be implemented. It is something I don't see from other Craft organizations.

As more of a traditional blacksmith I do not care for the anvils ring. It is too modern for my liking. If it was not for the hammers blow I probably would not renew my membership.

We need a conf. every other year. Guess outside of U.S. and do not put them together in one tent.

I do not know the whole situation however, There is nothing wrong with starting form the basics again. We as artist/blacksmiths are interested in just that, Not entertainment Not food? Although these are nice. We are there for who we are and what we do. Good luck and thank you.

Making training opportunities available regionally (perhaps have an annual "traveling" demonstrator/trainer stipend. Have the training brought to each region during the year and shared with local ABANA affiliates as a group.

I was privileged to attend the Seattle conference in 2006 with the Australians. It was an excellent experience. I have been involved in organization of other large professional and academic conferences in Electronic Engineering. They are quite different of course, but the use of poster sessions for early workers and shorter contributions is a significant feature. For ABANA I would be interested in metallurgical sessions. Oh, I just bought a plasma cutter; it would be good to have articles or demos of such techniques.

Advertisements in The Anvils Ring are items available overseas etc.

Get the old office person back. Quit catering to the hobby smiths and concentrate on professional smiths. After all are they not what built ABANA?

I feel that there are too many pronouncements about the impending doom of ABANA. Just do what you think is right! Be bold! Give the membership something to disagree with. Give us a chance to passionately debate issues. If members feel that they cannot handle decisions of the board, then we either need to elect new board members or resign our membership. I wish you the best of luck!

I am delighted with the survey, if there is anything else I can do to help ABANA, please feel free to contact me.

Conferences in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado.

It would be nice if there was more for beginners/novices to make getting into and learning this trade/hobby easier and more appealing. Maybe a beginner’s package that could be purchased and even different ones to fit different budgets, a basic one with say just info/book and a hat or shirt, all the way up to a package that would include tools.

I know of several people who will not submit photos of their work to The Anvil's Ring because they do not want to be compared to professional work from large shops with a number of employees.  The Anvil's Ring needs to decide if it is a Trade publication for Professional smiths or an Association's publication to foster growth in the traditional methods for the amateur and small studio smith.  Most of the people I know either work by themselves or have 1 helper.

I doubt I would ever leave Alaska because of the air fare. However I would love to see some increased access to your website. If advertisers would help shoulder the cost, perhaps Google’s AdSense program could help earn a few bucks. Knowing you were on AdSense I would often click through to increase your revenue. Perhaps you could make old copies of your magazines available to view online? Perhaps you do this already; I will go take a look at your site, now.

I believe if a return to a greater affiliate responsibility for conferences might be advisable.  Greater openness and communication will build trust and understanding.  I understand there is NO compensation for board persons.  That in fact restricts involvement of those that are less secure in their personal or business finances.  There is the extent of what a full participation or practical participation in board or conference work?  Many of us who are not active may change their minds if it seems doable in time, money, thus commitment.    Is there a program in place of on the drawing board to build teaching skills for events as does California? That might be one unexplored avenue toward greater and new involvement from the sidelines.    Thank you for all you do.

This is an excellent questionnaire; no forced choices and room for explanations and individual answers unexpected by the authors.  You are also asking the right questions for a sense of your audience.  (I complained earlier about the ABANA-CERF survey which did none of these things.)    I don't need any answer to these comments, but I do not like to submit anonymous answers so am including my name.      Keep up the good work!

Hammers Blow is a joke and the Ring often misses the mark

ABANA needs to get over the club mentality and establish itself as a major organization in the arts and crafts. The Central Office should move to Memphis, be housed in the new library and join forces with the Metal Museum to promote the art and craft of smithing. The Board should stop micro-managing and raise funds through grants and corporate sponsorship so that the Central Office can be staffed with more than one person and have an Executive Director. Time to grow up and get off Mom's couch....You're 35 years old.

Need to have more instructional tapes, videos. It would also be better if there was some kind of lesson guide to compliment what groups already use

Wish Hammers Blow had more raw info and useful tips.....

...I AM HAPPY WITH THINGS IN GENERAL

The Anvil's Ring has become a sculpture magazine and less about blacksmithing.    I have attended two previous conferences and got a lot out of them.  They made money.  Look at the last conference as to why it went bust.  It was obviously a bust because of decisions by a few.  Get those people out of the loop.

I am quite pleased with the two publications and the annual fee is reasonable.  I have yet to attend an annual conference, but the offerings are always terrific and plan on making one in the not too distant future.  On a separate note, I think that some people get way too hung up on politics and protocol.

Organizations change just as its members do.  I read about all the controversy old vs. new artsy vs. traditional.  This kind of stuff is normal for an organization like this.  ABANA is defined by its members, and 20% of the people are always going to do 80% of the work and that handful of complainers can spoil even the best of days.  With the increase in blacksmithing over the past few years, it is no wonder the old guys feel pushed out, you new people are doing things to metal that most of these guys can not even fathom, and the only response they know is fear - when probably their real response is envy.  They don't call or acknowledge it as smithing because they are smiths, and if they don't get it, then it is not smithing.    I say - keep up the good work guys!  You should all be commended for the time and energy spent on this very worth cause.  Remember - "those who do not truly understand, lash out in fear not in hate"

I have only been a member two years and just signed up for a third year. I like everything so far. Not sure I would go to the annual conference because it is hard for me to take time off right now. In another five years I will have more time to travel.     Keep doing what you are doing. Keep both publications. I love the pictures in the Anvils Ring and the technical write ups in the Hammers Blow.

As a three year beginner, I prefer training material; Projects, tips, equipment etc, but I understand this organization as a professional organization. I have attended the New England School of Metalworking for A week long beginners class ( Frank Turley & Dereck Glaser instructed )I hope to continue this as a annual training. The Hammers Blow projects and tips have been very useful in my training. I have many of the popular books that your publications have led me to for continued instructions and guides. I LOVE this craft, wish I had started many years ago, but it is a great retirement program and I may even make a buck at some point. I have used the Guru's den for help several times and enjoy reading the text of other’s Keep up the good work.

It would be good if affiliates recognized ABANA membership instead of insisting on additional fees. It would at least be nice if ABANA members could have discount membership in affiliate organizations, or vice-versa.

I think the anvil's ring needs to be on a Hephaestus level. I think the dear editor section is not efficient in a quarterly magazine. I think we need quality, mid advanced technique discussion. Something on the level of Dan Nauman/Tom Latane, or Mark Aspery type of smithing. There should be an incentive to write an article that makes it to publishing.   I think ABANA is doing a great job and I am excited to get the magazines, I just feel I need more advanced information to further my understanding of smithing.

Stupid question about owing a computer if I am doing this on line, don't you think?  Most everyone I talk to think you have outgrown your pants and don't care for the traditional blacksmith as we once were.  This artsy stuff if nice but that is not what we started out as, or most of us want to see.  There are a lot of wonderful artist out there that are sick and tired of the high prices for what they get.  Wake up and smell the sulfur and remember what we are all about.  Bring in American artist who do traditional smithing and get a hold of the cost.

As a largely self taught smith the lack of journeyman qualifications is a concern. Reinstating this program and testing and accrediting north American smiths would help me personally professionally and critically, I could then offer an apprenticeship with tangible prospects which would be huge.

I was totally surprised by the way that the Board positions were selected this time. I was the first runner up in the last election by 14 votes and was not told that the vacancies were going to be filled in this manor.   I would like to see the Web site updated in a timelier manor so that the membership will know of any and all changes that are happening. I do support the Board in all that you are doing and I have started a membership in the OBG.     I don’t think it is proper to contact non ABANA members in an affiliate group to ask them to head up an ABANA membership drive instead of asking or even notifying ABANA members of the OBG Board to give the push for membership. There are 3 ABANA members on the OBG Board. We are doing a membership drive in our group though because we would like to see ABANA grow and again be a positive movement in the Southeastern States.

I do not wish to make it seem as though ABANA should exist solely to produce conferences, but I believe many people belong for that reason. A conference and its planners should concentrate on the function of the conference and its affordability. Entertainment and social venues should be left to the attendees. The public face of ABANA is its publications. The Hammers Blow works well for its technical function. The Anvils Ring still leaves something to be desired. I compare it to NOMMA's Fabricator magazine. ABANA somehow needs to attract more professionals to write in depth articles on how they build certain projects. Take its readers through the real process and not just the fluff and anecdotes. I feel giving a graphic understanding of the process would help ABANA to promote the education of its core group and the public, instead of just printing a few pictures and nice words about work.

Thanks for asking I’ll think on that one a bit. I appreciate the survey and ABANA moving forward.

The cost of mail to Canada seems problematic. To minimize costs could you sent both magazines at the same time or ship them bulk to Canada and have them mailed from a Canadian post office?

Increase communication about issues.  Use the "Forge" and publications to get the message out.  Have board members go to regional meets and talk to members.  Eliminate expensive demonstrators that don't do a great job of demonstrating (Example: D. Gerikaris squishing pipe and torching it. No smithing, just fabricating).  Be more open about $$costs, expenses and needs.  Where are the final figures for Seattle?  Be sure to have a lot of tailgating at any conference.  Add a historical section to Anvils Ring, both smiths of the past and their work, and equipment history, anvils, hammers, etc.  If there is another conference, make the board members sit with random members at meals, not all together like a high school clique.  More as I think of it.

Optimistic about the new leadership.  It will take a collaborative effort among the affiliate organizations to build the foundation for future endeavors.  Would like to see a demographic study of the membership to see what areas of the country has the most members.  The web page needs updating.

My boss feels that ABANA does not meet the needs of the professional in this business.

I would pay more to have a monthly magazine

You may go to my web site ferndaleblacksmith.com click on the redwood logo and read the final report of our last conference.

Need more public relations to make potential buyers aware of artistic and crafty blacksmithing. Interior designers, architect, collectors need to be cultivated. We cover the full range from jewelry to public sculpture. I know of an art museum curator who had no earthly idea about our skills and art. Smithing, today, is more than horse shoeing.  Also, the travel program should be revived, that the Masters had so personally organized. There are eco-travel agencies. Some would probably like to specialize.

We are in trying times.  I that you all for stepping up and running.  I could not due to time but I would like to help if I can.  So if serving on a committee is the answer let me know, if stuffing envelopes is the answer let me know, if manning the ABANA booth is....  I will try.

A more comprehensive and up to date calendar including non ABANA grants available, as well as more information on up coming gallery shows.

Figure out what people can spend and then see where you get the most for your buck. Don’t spend high dollars to get someone to conference to find out they can't demo in the states.

I am interested in ABANA because of the scholarship opportunities, the potential of a journeyman's program, and the potential of attending international caliber blacksmithing conferences. These conferences must be affordable for working smiths and on site camping should be included in the conference fee. An up to date journeyman's program would be hugely helpful to me and several