Welcome to the NTBA Website
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Apparently, the database upgrade that the hosting company we use did something to the menus. I've also got to do a Joomla upgrade to 2.5 (we are on 1.5 right now so we are way behind). Also, I want to try out a commerical application called JomSocial instead of the limitedly free Community Builder that I'm using now. I'm getting nickeled and dimed by wanting to add more CB add-ons so this might actually turn out to be cheaper.
North Texas Blacksmiths Association is an ABANA chapter formed to help spread the knowledge of the blacksmithing craft. The organization is located in the North Central Texas area, although people from all areas are welcomed to join. Membership fee for the club is $15 but the registration for the web site is free, so please sign up and look around to see what you think.
The NTBA gladly accepts invitations to demonstrate the craft of blacksmithing at public events. To schedule a demo contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Every blacksmith in our club is a showman and loves to talk about (and teach) the craft. Also, please check out the public blacksmiths that demonstrate their craft around the area. Will Frary is at the Millican Blacksmith shop in Grapevine. His hours are 11 am until 5 pm Thursday thru Sunday (sometimes a little later on Sunday depending on church). David "Stringbean" Lowery runs his shop in Canton at every First Monday trades days (which actually starts on the last Thursday of the month before -- go figure). Try to schedule a time to head to Canton to check it out. Just seeing the craziness surrounding the Trades Days is interesting enough for the trip.
There are a number of heritage musuems around north Texas. Plano Heritage Farmstead Museum had to let their full-time blacksmith go but they are using volunteer smiths as needed. The Dallas Heritage Village has a blacksmith on site and his website is here. The Fort Worth Log Cabin Village also has volunteer blacksmiths on site for the vistors.
The NTBA is a web site with a discussion list relating to events in the North Texas area and includes historical photos and graphics concerning the art of blacksmithing. We are constantly trying to improve it and get other smiths (and potential smiths) involved in the site. This website is only going to be as good as the content and the content is driven by the members.
For any information about NTBA please email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . I'm on email every day of the week and will try and respond back in a timely manner. Usually the only slow down in responses are caused by when I get involved in a time sensitive project at work.
NTBA has meetings on the second Saturday of each month, (with occasional exceptions). Monthly meetings are located at members shops and other locations such as farm museums in the North central Texas area. Meeting topics and directions can be found on this website under the "Meetings" menu. Hours are normally from 9 am until 3 pm, however, multi-day events such as Hammerfest and Dancing Hammers are weekdays 9 am - 5 pm and Sunday 9 am - noon. Demos are given by club members and guests, and newcomers are invited to participate.
Check out the "Meetings" menu to view or sign up for any of our events. [NOTE: Registration is usually NOT necessary. You are invited to just show up but we would appreciate knowing how many plan to attend. For a workshop, we do need an accurate count so registration is mandatory for those if you want to actually participate in the workshop.]
Classes
Chuck Stone offers classes to anyone interested in learning more about blacksmithing. His website is at Master's Forge. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. via email (see the link) or his phone number 940-393-9723. You can find his school on the web at StonePlace Blacksmith School. Chuck teaches a variety of classes including but not limited to Beginning Blacksmithing. He also teaches Knifemaking and a Build Your Own Forge class, where the student leaves with a complete coal forge. Other classes are listed on the above link.
Kelly Kring is working the DCCCD Brookhaven Campus to offer Continuing Education classes on blacksmithing. He's got a Saturday class for beginning, intermediate and advanced blacksmithing starting on January, 2012. The link with more info is http://www.brookhavencollege.edu/course-schedules/non-credit/arts_academy.aspx. The course info is way down at the bottom. They didn't have an "include" so I could shortcut you there so you just have to search for the word "blacksmith" on the page. Sorry about that.
Will Frary is also offering classes at his shop in Grapevine, "The Blacksmith Shop" (aka the Millican Shop). You can contact Will to find out more information at his Shop.