Website Updates Underway

Slowly but surely, updates to the website are finally underway.  The photos section has some more recent photos of metalworking added, as well as (finally) some older metalworking photos, and there is a little more information to be found on the site. 

The changes will all be slow and gradual, but after years of procrastination and with the help of my fantastic guru - he knows who he is, but shall remain nameless unless I have his permission to put up his name - I will make the site more workable and informative, rather than just being a page of photos.

For me, the excitement is of seeing the new photos up - again the photos are all courtesy of that same genius guru who has done all of my photography for the website for me.

Things are really gaining momentum at Elfworks this year, and it looks like I'll have to move a lot faster to keep up with the pace.

Enjoy your Canada Day Weekend/ Pride Weekend and the wonderful (if a little hot) weather!

2012 Redpath Waterfront Festival A Success!

The "Wharf at York" that was part of the Redpath Waterfront Festival has concluded and it was a great success.  The weather was great, if a little too hot, and the turnout was very good.
On Thursday and Friday we had school groups come by to view the performances and demonstrations and the kids were very engaged with all of the activity.  The public was also very responsive and everyone seemed to be having a great time.
As a demonstrator it was great to have such good feedback and such intense interest in what I was demonstrating.  I had great questions about the history (especially women blacksmiths), the tools and the processes.  All of the things I demonstrated got a great response, especially the tin lanterns and the pewter casting, and I feel very encouraged and inspired going forward from this festival!
While I did know a few of the other demonstrators and performers going in, I was very happy to meet all those I did not know.  There was a lot of talent at the festival and all of the people working there were both incredibly interesting and extremely nice.
In the days to come I will post some links to some of the other Demonstrators websites and a slightly more detailed overview of some of the things that went on at the festival. 
Enjoy the great weather and happy Summer Solstice - (a few days late).

Elfworks at the Wharf At York

It has been a busy year at Elfworks, and I'm currently gearing up for “The Wharf at York” which will be held at the Toronto Waterfront. This year promises to be a lot of fun with a small village of craftspeople being put together to help give an idea of some of the trades and methods used for doing everything from cooking to barrel making 200 years ago. Of course, this is all part of the celebrations of the War of 1812. Since the Battle of York actually took place in 1813 there are plans in the works for an even larger event next year.  

The event is taking place on June 21-24, 2012 at Toronto's Waterfront near the bottom of Bay St. on over towards HTO park.  It promises to be a lot of fun with all kinds of events happening from Saltscapes to the performances and demonstrations that I will be participating in - craftspeople and performances based on the history of York.  I'm looking forward to it – hopefully we will see you there.

For more information you can go to the website at :  http://towaterfrontfest.com/