C L A Y S P E N C E R
Murphy, North Carolina
Clay was raised on a farm in North Alabama, attended Auburn University and worked for Marshall Space Flight Center, NASA on the Space Shuttle Program. He started blacksmithing in 1987, redesigned the ABANA treadle hammer, later designed a roller blade straight line version. He has led workshops to build about 1000 hammers and demonstrated use of TH and tools at ABANA conferences and many affiliates meetings. He has taught at J. C. Campbell Folk School since 1988 and Francis Whitaker asked him to take over his class when he retired. He has served on the Folk School and ABANA boards. He received the first Joe Humble Newsletter Editor Award, the Bealer Award, life membership in ABANA and 2 affiliates. He has led 15 workshops to build 220 Ray Clontz 50 lb. Tire Hammers in last 2 years.
The demonstration covered design, starting from a basic concept and evolving to a finished design using traditional joinery methods, such as forge welding, tenons, rivets and collars
DESIGN-TO-FINISH SIGN BRACKET
