FABA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

October 10-12, Gainesville, Florida

In partnership with

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We're excited to celebrate 40 years of blacksmithing. This year's conference is a celebration of all that we've accomplished together! All ticket and class sales are now at the gate only.

Hotel

Schedule

Meet our Demonstrator

Eric Velleca is a founder, artisan, and seasoned demonstrator at Velleca Metal Design Inc. With over 20 years of hands-on experience, Eric began his journey through the detailed practice of jewelry smithing. He later broadened his artistic horizons through study at England’s Surrey Institute of Art and Design, where a dynamic artistic landscape shaped his approach to metalwork. Today, Eric’s studio in Weaverville, North Carolina, produces custom pieces that balance beauty, function, and material mastery—from architectural elements like gates and railings to finely crafted furniture, sculptures, and sculptural lighting. His breadth of experience and creative passion make him an inspiring presence and a powerful guide for conference attendees interested in the art, craft, and innovation of metalwork.

Thank you to all our sponsors!

Underground
Metalworks

Metal
Supermarket

Benchmark
Abrasives

Thompson
Crafted

Traditions
Workshop

More than just classes

Forging Competition

Come match wits and skills in both the solo and team competitions with challenges dreamt up by the Bearded Brotherhood of Blacksmiths! Win not only bragging rights but also prizes and the heart of the crowd (uh, maybe). Must be registered for the conference to compete and wearing close toed shoes, natural fabrics, and eye protection.

Skill level: Any

When: Friday October 11 7:30PM

Item Exchange: Something that opens

A lock, a door, a book, your mind? The possibilities are endless! In this yearly challange a smith creates a piece based on their interpretation of the theme and brings it to conference. On Saturday evening before the auction, everyone who brought an item will draw the name of another. The name that you draw is the piece that you take home!

Skill level: Any
Register: Banquet Hall

Gallery

Showcasing the best metal artwork from across the state! Bring one or more items to the gallery to share! Items are judged by attendees and awarded prize money for People’s Choice.

Skill level: Intermediate to Advanced

Preregister your piece now!

Iron in the Hat

Have scraps or interesting items laying around your shop? Bring them to the conference for Iron in the Hat. Tickets will be sold for items to be raffled on Saturday, October 11th from noon to 1 pm. Bring a 24-case of bottled water for 3 free tickets. Limit 3 cases per individual.

Skill Level: N/A
Location: Tent TBA

Chairman's Challenge:
Skyline

The skyline can be of anything natural or manmade; real for fantastical. We are asking each region or sub-region to create a piece as a team. This can be as large or small as you would like. A panel of outside judges will judge the pieces based on the criteria below. Awards will be handed out at the banquet. Please consider donating your items to the auction. We hope to see submissions from each part of the state! This is a great project to work on at a monthly meeting.

Live & Silent
Auction

Proceeds from the auction not only support the conference, but also FABA throughout the year. To be successful, we need auction items! If you have an item you plan to bring, please let us know. The live and silent auction will take place on Saturday evening, October 11th immediately following the annual banquet.

Skill level: Intermediate to advanced