Welcome to the Kootenay Blacksmiths' Association website!

January 21, 2009 - December 2009 Newsletter posted here (7.9 Mb).

December 5, 2009 - Added photos of recent work from Patrick McIvor and Ted Howell.

November 15, 2009 - Added photos of recent work from Tony Austin and Paul Reimer.

Spring 2009 newsletter posted here (5.1 Mb).

April 23, 2009 - Latest newsletter posted here (5.1 Mb)

March 22, 2009 - Added photos of recent work from Manuka Forge, Calgary.

January 24, 2009 - Added photos of recent work from Paul Reimer, Cranbrook.

January 12, 2009 - Latest Newsletter (by Tony) posted here (2.8 Mb)

WHO ARE WE?

The KBA was formed twelve years ago by a group of people interested in various aspects of blacksmithing.

Our goals were (and still are):

* to share our knowledge of the craft with each other
* encourage young people interested in the craft,
* to bring in demonstrators skilled in specific techniques to teach us.
* to develop a library of books, magazines, and videos related to blacksmithing and some other metal arts.
* to publish a quarterly magazine with news, a calendar of  events, tips and techniques, and other content of interest to the membership.

The KBA is a regional group, and an affiliate of the Artist Blacksmith Assiociation of North America (ABANA), the world's largest organization of blacksmiths.

Originally composed of members living in the Kootenay region of south-east British Columbia, Canada, the group now has about 45 members ranging from Vancouver Island to Alberta.

Our members range from full-time professional smiths, part-time smiths, and  hobbyists. Membership is open to all!

We meet officially twice a year, in the spring and fall, and occasionally a one-day hammer-in will take place among members living close together.

Here are two pictures of the table that will be auctioned in November to benefit the Sundre Public Library.

Members at the fall conference made the components on the Sunday and it was assembled the following week by Chris Waters.

Barry McElheeny of Sundre supplied the pine top.

Follow-up to the table project:

The Sundre Library would like to thank the KBA for their contribution to the Tables for Tales charity auction. It raised 400.00 for the library.  The funds raised during the event will go to improving literature inventories. Thank-you again.