John Dilbeck And Friends

At one point in my life, I wanted to be an engineer. Well, yes, the kind that drives steam engine locomotives, but that’s not what I’m talking about here. I wanted to be the kind of engineer that used a slide rule when I was young and then moved to computers, later.

I’ve been fascinated with mathematics and doing practical things using math.

It turned out that I just wasn’t suited to be an engineer. But, I still love practical applications involving mathematics.

One such application is CAD/CAM (computer-aided drafting and manufacturing). I taught myself how to use a couple of CAD programs about 20 years ago and enjoyed it, but not much more than drafting using a big table and plastic triangles. It just isn’t for me.

Along the way, I learned a bit about 2.5-D and 3-D CAD.

Just as I’ve always wanted to be a sculptor, but lacked the talent, I’ve always wanted to build 3-D models, but lack the talent for that, too. So, I’ve remained an outside observer, watching the developments and learning a bit, here and there.

I’ve watched as it became possible to print a 3-D model in resin and plastic. In fact, I have a small, plastic sculpture of a human head that was printed using one of these techniques sitting on a bookshelf across the room.

Today, I ran across a company called Shapeways and loved their slogan, “Passionate about creating.”

What intrigued me, initially, about Shapeways is that it is kind of a Zazzle or CafePress for 3-D model designers. You can upload your model and they’ll print it for you. You can then have it shipped to you or even sell it in a Shapeways shop.

As I said, I don’t have the talent to do this, but I enjoyed looking at some of the galleries.

A friend of mine, who is a sculptor, and I spent some time experimenting with creating what are actually 2-D models with depth using a laser engraver many years ago. I could do the drawings for that and we tried printing the products in plastic and wood. We even tested creating wax models from the originals and casting them in silver and pewter.

It was intriguing and had some nice possibilities, but that was about the time Mom became sick and I chose to close my metalsmithing business and become her full-time caretaker. So, we never really did much with it, after that.

Still, every now and then, he sends me a link to a website or an article cut from one of the many magazines he reads that talks about new developments with laser engravers and 3-D model printing.

This time, I get to send him a link to something he may not know about.

One thing that really caught my attention is that Shapeways now offers the ability to print 3-D models in stainless steel.

That’s a huge jump forward, as far as I know.

It’s an interesting process. They print the model using layer after layer of stainless steel powder that is bound with some kind of binding material. When printing the model is completed, it is heated and cured, and then infused with bronze. After that, it is polished and ready for delivery.

One thing I really liked is their section on Expectation Management talking about the limitations of the process and the requirements for successful printing in stainless steel. It shows, to me, that they have caring people there who want you to be happy with the results you’ll obtain.

I know absolutely nothing about Shapeways other than what I read this morning. This is not a personal recommendation. However, if you have the talent to create 3-D CAD designs, Shapeways may be something to look into for fabricating your models.

It’s not something I’ll be doing, but I do find it fascinating.

Act on your dream!

JD

On Saturday, September 5, 2009, Heritage Partners of Cherokee County will host the Ninth Annual Heritage Walk and Festival in Konehete Part, Murphy, NC.

Local area artists and crafters are invited to visit the Heritage Walk and Festival website and download an application form in PDF format. (See the left column right next to “Arts & Crafts Show” for the link.)

Original artwork, hand-made items only. No imports or commercial goods will be approved.

No electrical service will be provided.

$25 application fee.

Your completed application form and check must be received by the August 8, 2009 deadline.

The following paragraph is excerpted from the press release on PRWeb:
Announcing the Launch of the Most Comprehensive Online Guide and Marketplace for American Arts and Crafts

The new venture, AmericaCreates.com,
AmericaCreates.com, offers electronic storefronts for independent artists while also inviting consumers to explore the artist experience and learn about upcoming creative events and associations in their communities. In addition to selling excellent quality American artwork and fine crafts, America Creates includes easy-to-search databases making it possible for visitors to simply find local exhibitions, classes, artist cooperatives, art schools, guilds and gallery openings, and learn more about specific art techniques.

Later in the press-release, it says, “U.S.-based artists and fine craftspeople - along with guilds, co-ops, art schools, community art centers, museums and galleries- are invited to join the community at no charge.”

Sharon Sinclair, one of the founders, says, “We understand the difficulty many artists experience in marketing their own merchandise. The energy it takes to do this well often leaves little time for their craft. Many have little budget or time to create a Web presence, yet consumers are in search of one-of-a-kind objects with a personal story. America Creates was designed to bring people together and help creativity flourish.”

I love blacksmithing. There is something almost magical about heating iron to a nice red heat and then reshaping it with precise hammer blows.

One of the things I like to make are hand-crafted steel roses.

However, for a couple of reasons I won’t go into here, I’m not able to do it right now.

Since I still get requests for steel roses now and then, I’m always happy to meet someone who creates them.

Today, I received a nice email from Travis Rankin, and he introduced me to his hand-crafted steel roses.

You can learn more about Travis and his steel roses at Wroughtenart.com.

In a couple of ways, I like his roses better than mine, especially the way he makes the leaves.

This isn’t a personal endorsement, because I don’t really know Travis, but if you’re looking for steel roses for a special person, you may want to contact him.

Act on your dream!

JD

I want to thank my friend, Jerry Chautin, for alerting me to an article in the New York Times, A Basket Case in North Carolina, written by David Rakoff, and published on May 20, 2007.

In this article, the author talks about taking a week-long class at the John C Campbell Folk School, in Brasstown, NC.

Originally, like most men, he wanted to experience the thrill of blacksmithing, of smiting hot steel and shaping it into new forms with fire, hammer, and anvil, but (for reasons he details in the article) he changed to taking a basket weaving class.

As a true lover of the Folk School and all that goes on there, I felt the resonance of reading what I know to be true about the Folk School experience, not just what happens when taking a class and learning a new skill, or improving your ability to create pieces of art in your chosen craft.

Mr. Rakoff talks about the unexpected moments of silence and “getting into the zone” that artists strive for while transforming the vision in our minds into the item in our hands.

This is one of the best articles I’ve read about the Folk School, and I recommend it to you. I don’t know how long the New York Times keeps these articles archived, so maybe you should read A Basket Case in North Carolina, now.

(For more information about the John C. Campbell Folk School, its classes, crafts, and events, call 828-837-2775 or 1-800-FOLK-SCH (800-365-5724) or visit www.folkschool.org.)

(From the Folk School Website:)

The new Blacksmith studio fundraising campaign has begun!

Timber framers from all over will gather at the Folk School for an old fashioned barn raising!

The John C. Campbell Folk School is proud to announce plans for an annex to the historic Blacksmith Shop, originally dedicated to Francis Whittaker in recognition of his two decades of teaching and demonstrating at the school.

Whittaker, known as the “Dean of American Blacksmiths,” devoted his life to keeping the art of blacksmithing alive in this country and the existing studio stands as his symbolic legacy. But, while Blacksmithing has long been the most popular of some 50 programs the Folk School offers, the shop has suffered decades of wear and its space is no longer adequate for the size and diversity of classes such a premier program should offer.

The solution is to renovate the Whittaker Studio and to build an annex with the help of the Timber Framers Guild, which has offered to assemble close to 80 timber framers to do a traditional barn-raising in June 2008.

Fundraising for the project kicked off with a $1000 gift from longtime instructor Lou Mueller. Clay Spencer, nationally known blacksmith and fixture at the school also donated $1000. Not to be outdone, Don Neuenschwander, a long time student and friend of the Folk School from Indiana, donated $5000. Julie Clark, Folk School blacksmith instructor, donated $10,000!

While the full architectural plans have not been finalized, the project cost is estimated at an ambitious $500,000. With the strength and spirit of the Blacksmithing community, we are confident the goal can be met. Ours is a community that is resourceful, creative and, like the Folk School, dedicated to the spread of knowledge and education about blacksmithing.

Please contact Susi Hall, Development Manager, at susi@folkschool.org or at 828-837-2775 ext. 118 to contribute or to discuss making a gift and Paul Garrett, Resident Artist for Blacksmithing, at pdg86@hotmail.com or 828-835-8441 with ideas to assist with the project.

Learn more about the new Blacksmithing annex on the Folk School’s website.

I watched Sing Behind The Plow last evening and enjoyed it greatly.

It is an outstanding production and anyone who loves the Folk School and what people have been doing there for decades should get a copy of this DVD.

Hopefully, it will be rebroadcast on UNC-TV and other public stations in the future.

It was nice to see old friends and familiar places and to learn more about the early history of the school.

The John C. Campbell Folk School is one of my favorite places on the planet and attending classes there has the definite possibility of changing your life for the better.

Instead of competing for ranking and grades, students at the Folk School are welcomed into a friendly, supportive atmosphere of learning, trying new things, and helping each other. This supportive environment continues from Morning Song, through the classes, family style meals in the dining hall, and on into the evenings spent talking, dancing, and enjoying the beautiful mountain scenery.

If you immerse yourself in what is available, you may well be a different person at the end of the week.

I highly recommend the Folk School and the Sing Behind The Plow documentary to you.

Sing Behind The Plow will be available for purchase on DVD from the Folk School’s Craft Shop.

Admission Is Free To September 4 Heritage Walk and Festival in Murphy, NC

What began in 2001 with fewer than 100 souls braving the pouring rain to take a “heritage walk” through historic Murphy has blossomed into a 4th annual series of events coming Saturday, September 4, 2004.

Last year over 3,000 people turned out for a day long celebration of traditional mountain music, arts and crafts, blue ribbon memories of the county fair, and the heritage walking tours with characters from times past. Produced by Heritage Partners of Cherokee County in collaboration with a host of volunteers and sponsoring organizations, this year’s Heritage Walk and Festival features:

• The Heritage Walk — historic trade and commerce tours departing at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m.; pyramid tours departing at 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. from the Old LandN Depot

• The Cherokee County Heritage Fair — blue ribbon competitions in the traditional home survival skills, special events and community exhibits on display at the Old L and N Depot and outdoor county fair tent (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• The Appalachian Heritage Crafters Show — area artists and crafters on the Railroad Street festival grounds, behind the Old LandN Depot and Hackney Warehouse (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• Mountain Song — all day live stage performances feature traditional bluegrass, old-time and more on the Railroad Street festival grounds, behind the Old Hackney Warehouse (10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
• Becky and the Robber of Buckhorn Ridge — one act play performances by the Murphy High drama students, based on Jean Bravick’s story of pioneer life in Cherokee County’s 1840 Valleytown (First United Methodist Church at 11:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, and 1:00 p.m.)
• Cherokee County Historical Museum’s Heritage Day — a celebration of pioneering history and Cherokee Indian culture, on Peachtree Street
• Farmers Market
• Food Vendors
• Pocket Parks Collectibles Fair
• rides and activities for children
• and more.

And, it’s all free.

The public is invited to come out, and all festival guests are encouraged to park in town and walk to all events. Visit heritagepartners.org for more information.

The one day event will be held on Saturday, September 4 from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm at the Old L&N Depot, Railroad Street Park and the Pocket Parks in the historic town center of Murphy.

Produced by Heritage Partners of Cherokee County, the annual event began in 2001 with the Heritage Walk and a group of 100 enthusiastic walking tour guests. Last year’s festival events drew more than 3,000 people and organizers are gearing up for an even larger crowd on September 4.

More information is available online at:

http://www.heritagepartners.org/hwf.htm

and in Murphy at the Appalachian Heritage Crafters shop on Hwy 64 West, the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce on Hwy 64 West, and The Pickled Parrot in town on Valley River Avenue.

For more information, artists and crafters may contact Claire Groff at 828-837-9636 or by email at clairepg@aol.com; all other vendors and exhibitors may contact Barbara Darling at 828-837-9636 or by email at daraff@dnet.net

“Our volunteers and sponsors are looking forward to the big day. We hope everyone will come out and enjoy this celebration of our local history and heritage of music, artistry, craftsmanship and traditional home survival skills,” said event director and Heritage Partners president Barbara Hughes.

Community clubs and individuals interested in entering the products of their home canning, baking, quilting, vegetable and flower gardening skills in this year’s Heritage County Fair blue ribbon competitions and exhibits may contact Jessica Roberson at the Cherokee County Cooperative Extension Service at 828-837-2210 or by email at jessica_roberson@ncsu.edu for more information and registration details.

This year’s Heritage Walk & Festival includes the Heritage Walk tours, the Appalachian Heritage Crafters Show, the Heritage Music Festival, the Heritage County Fair, produce and plant growers, food vendors, and special fun for children.

Admission to all events remains free of charge and open to the public.

Heritage Partners is an all volunteer, nonprofit organization building on the heritage of Cherokee County — North Carolina’s first, last, and finest place to be.