Last update: 6/3/01; 11:59:21.
Thoughts and ideas as they occur to me.
Monday, March 12, 2001
Finally, back to metalsmithing! (03/12/2001 08:21 EST) My plans didn't work out as I'd hoped last week, so I regrouped and did some other things. Now I'm ready, finally, to get back to metalsmithing.
Everything was set to resume working metal last week and we'd been enjoying an unusually-mild February while I was working on tasks that had to be finished first. Then, March rolled around and I was free to resume smiting steel. So, what happened?
It turned cold. The temperature dropped from the low 70s to below freezing. We barely missed the snow that went just north of us, but it was way too cold for me to work in the smithy.
So, I decided to regroup and update JohnDilbeck.com and the website I maintain for Appalachian Heritage Crafters at http://ahccrafts.com. Both of these tasks are completed now, and in just a couple of hours I'm going to be making roses!! Yeehaw!
Along with other things I've been doing, as I mentioned on March 6, I've been working with George Kelischek (http://www.susato.com) and Arch Avary to find ways to use George's new laser cutter to make products that combine steel with glass, wood, leather, and stone. Arch and I are working on a new method of making models that can be cast directly in pewter. This pewter model can then be refined to produce a master model that can be used to make molds for casting any type of metal. I have high hopes that we'll be able to develop some new products over the coming weeks. I also have an announcement that I'm just aching to tell you about Arch, but I have to wait for a couple of things to be completed before I can announce it.
In addition to working on the two websites last week, I've been making contacts with other folks who work with metal. This is the year, if things go well, that I'll be working in pewter, silver and gold, as well as iron and steel. I've been researching and learning new ways to etch and engrave metals, to plate them with tarnish-resistant coatings (including 24-karat gold), and to further refine my metalworking skills. It's too early to announce any new products, but I have high hopes for some introductions in a few weeks.
If you read this and you have experience in doing any of these things and would like to see how we can work together, please contact me at jd@johndilbeck.com. I'd love to talk to you. I'm going to be very hard to reach this week, because I'm going to be spending long hours in the smithy and I don't take phone calls while I'm working there. So, your best bet for reaching me is by email.
I'm looking forward to getting away from this computer and back into the real world! I'll probably be so sore I can't move by this time tomorrow, but that'll only last a couple of days before I get used to swinging the hammer, again.
I have a case of spring fever that just won't stop. I'm looking forward to a fun week and I hope you have the same. Later, y'all.
**JD**
8:47:10 AMJohn Dilbeck's Website Completely Updated. (03/12/2001 08:14 EST) Over the last week, I've completely updated my JohnDilbeck.com website. I've learned some valuable lessons over the last half-year and I've chosen to stop development of parts of the site and have recommended other sites that are doing a much better job than I can do as a single individual trying to keep up with the arts and crafts world.
I've removed dead links, added more links in my directory, updated the classified ads, and more.
You're invited to look it over. As always, I welcome feedback.
**JD**
8:22:01 AMAppalachian Heritage Crafters Website Redesigned. (03/12/2001 08:07 EST) The website for Appalachian Heritage Crafters has been completely redesigned and updated over the last week. You're invited to drop in and see for yourself.
We still have a long way to go to get the site as we want it, but we made a major step forward and it will continue to be developed over the coming weeks.
We've announced our 2001 Arts and Crafts schedule for shows sponsored by AHC in Murphy, North Carolina. Just go to the AHC site (click the title of this story) and choose "Shows" from any of the navigation menus.
We hope to see you at one of our shows!
**JD**
8:15:45 AM
© Copyright 2001 John L. Dilbeck, jd@johndilbeck.com.