Jimboomba Times - 2 May 1997 Alan teaches traditional trade FORGING tools, furniture and homewares with fire, hammer and anvil is a labour of love for Logan Village blacksmith Alan Ball. Alan describes himself as a third generation metal worker and while he can still turn his hand to boiler- making, blacksmithing is his stock-in-trade. Alan works as a full- time blacksmith using traditional tools to turn out one off creations, but now he is turning his hand to passing on the dying art through blacksmithing courses. He firmly believes anyone with an interest can pick up a hammer and work red hot steel into art or practical tools. Age and sex is no barrier according to Alan. 'With a hammer,a fire and an anvil there's a tremendous amount of things you can make' he said. 'The big problem is a lot of blacksmithing is getting lost, that's why I decided to teach.' Many of Alan's creations are pieces of furniture designed by himself or custom-made for clients. The Village Smith can claim the rare distinction of working at a job he loves and the enthusiasm is evident in his creations. It is this enthusiasm that Alan also hopes to pass on to his students. 'I've been working with metal all my life and I still love doing it,' he Logan Village blacksmith Alan Ball hopes to revive the art of blacksmithing before the ancient skill is forgotten. said. 'It really is an individual thing, every blacksmith has his own style, his own individual character. 'There's not too many blacksmiths that do the variety I do. 'I like the furniture, it's a bit more of a challenge.' Students at Alan's introductory course will learn to use blacksmithing tools, make and tend a fire and use the basic skills of forging to make their own fire scraper, paper knife and pair of blacksmith's tongs. Further courses for more advanced students are also taught.