The Austin Forging Competition with The Battle Belles

The Austin Forging Competition, held each year at Community First! Village, is an exhilarating clash of some of the most talented blacksmiths in the country.

The battle of the metal workers rages 3 hours, and contestants are only permitted to use unpowered hand tools. The pounding of hammers ring on hot metal as flames blaze from each corner of the square arena, deep in the rolling woods of central Texas. Only a 4 foot barrier of wooden beams and corrugated metal separate the competitors from spectators. Children and grownups alike, stare wide-eyed from the sidelines as age-old techniques are used to bend metal to each artist’s will.

Throughout the events of the day, I followed the Battle Belles around.

The Battle Belles:
Blacksmiths Elizabeth and Anne Team Up in Austin Forging Competition

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The two meet in a class at Penland School of Craft in 2007. Since then, they’ve followed each others’ careers–enjoying their friend’s success from afar. When Anne was invited to participate in the forging competition, she knew Elizabeth would be the perfect partner.

Elizabeth’s Background:

“I got into blacksmithing at Penland School of Craft in North Carolina. I originally signed up for an 8 week woodworking class and hated it! But as luck would have it, there was an iron studio right next door calling my name. 

Metal work is my full-time job. I just finished with a two year blacksmithing apprenticeship at the Metal Museum in Memphis. I am now in what some people would call journeyman mode. I travel around working on metalwork in different places and learning from different people. I have equipment in storage, waiting for the right time to land and setup a forever shop.” –Elizabeth Belz

Elizabeth worked in healthcare for 13 years before she dedicated her life to metalwork. Currently, she’s working at John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina. Elizabeth assists with their marketing and development departments. She’ll be helping pilot new classes with them this fall. You can browse Elizabeth’s work on her website.

Anne’s Background:

“I discovered blacksmithing while I was a student at Oregon College of Art and Craft in Portland. I was in the Metals Department, which specialized in jewelry, holloware, and small sculpture.

I had no idea that blacksmithing was something that people did, let alone that it has an amazing contemporary community producing incredible sculpture and architectural work. The summer between my 2nd and 3rd year, I received scholarships to attend Haystack Mountain School of Craft and Penland School of Craft.

I fell utterly in love with the process.” –Anne Bujold

Anne received her MFA in the Craft and Material Studies Department at Virginia Commonwealth University so she could teach at a college level and perfect her skills. She recently completed a two year residency at the Appalachian Center for Craft in Smithville, TN, and is currently working on a collaborative project through the end of the year. You can browse her work on her website.

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Elizabeth has competed in several different events. Each time has given her greater confidence and taught her new skills you an only learn in the arena.

“It’s not all about showing off and winning. It’s about showing up, hanging out, exchanging ideas, being inspired—showing the public what can be done with metal work.” –Elizabeth Belz

This was Anne’s first time competing. The nervousness weighed on her as she stepped in the ring, but she instantly felt reassured as the process began. The crowd of onlookers faded from thought as her work intensified.

It was really amazing to drop into being focused with so much going on around us.

That’s the beauty of blacksmithing. When you have a piece of hot metal in the forge, that’s the only thing that matters in that moment. If you fail to keep your attention focused, it can burn up in no time, and you only have a short window to work it when you bring it out of the fire.

It’s very much a practice of being in the present moment.” –Anne Bujold

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“I think one of the biggest misconceptions people have about blacksmithing and fabricating in general is that it’s for big, strong men. I mean look at me! If I can do this, anyone can if they have the desire!” –Elizabeth Belz

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“It’s hard work, and it’s dirty, but anyone who is passionate about this work is capable of doing it.” –Anne Bujold

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The duo decided to construct a Bat Bell for their entry. As the only female team, Anne and Elizabeth joked that they would be the “belles of the ball,” hence the name Battle Belles. What else would they craft but handmade bell?

The bat nods to the location of the competition. Austin is famous for the Mexican free-tailed bat colony that lives under the South Congress Bridge. All throughout summer, crowds gather along the river hoping to catch a glimpse of the tiny winged mammals. It’s quite the sight to see one of the world’s largest bat colonies in flight, silhouetted against the brilliant hues of a Texan dusk.

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“I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at a really young age. I think I was in my 20’s, and now I am 33 years old. I am currently waiting on an official diagnosis of Lupus. It’s not something I run around telling everyone, but it’s something I wake up with every day.

Sometimes it takes me a little longer than it should to get out of bed, but blacksmithing and metal work are what get me going every day. It sucks to be in pain all the time, but when you are heating metal up to 2000 degrees and hitting it with a sledge hammer—who has time to worry about the pain? It is really just you, fire, and that metal.” –Elizabeth Belz

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“There is a lack of diversity in the field, and that’s something that needs to be actively addressed.

I am part of a project called the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths. We started with a group project in 2018 and have been working towards building a community that can support, encourage, and inspire folks who want to pursue this work—because this work is for anyone who wants to do it.

We are developing a scholarship project, to provide direct support to underrepresented folks to take classes, as well as a mentorship project. Both will be launching before the end of the year.

It can be really hard to step into something when you don’t see yourself represented in that world, whether that’s race, gender, sexual orientation, or physical limitations. Building a network of support for those who encounter systemic barriers to pursuing their ambitions is important.

Blacksmithing will only benefit from having a more diverse pool of practitioners, bringing new perspectives to the craft.” –Anne Bujold

Both Elizabeth and Anne are involved in the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths, doing their best to make the world of metal more inclusive.

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“The community around smithing is one of my favorite parts. That really shines at an event like the AFC. The people who pursue this craft are some of the smartest, most driven, interesting people I’ve had the pleasure to spend time with. I feel so lucky to call these folks my friends.

Then of course there’s the making itself, which is incredibly gratifying. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever tried to do, but seeing my work improve over time is really satisfying.” –Anne Bujold

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The Battle Belles add the finishing touches to their handcrafted Bat Bell.

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The Battle Belles may not have won the competition that day, but they had fun and pushed themselves to greater heights in their careers. It was encouraging to see their friendship translate into the world of hot metal and creativity.

The community of metalworkers is constantly growing. If you’re interested, check out the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths. There is a place for you to learn and flourish.

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Dirty hands: proof of a job well done

Austin Farmer Tiffany Washington

Tiffany Washington, also known by her farmer alter ego Nancy Farm Fancy, operates the only black owned farm within Austin’s city limits. She’s a food justice warrior, protecting her childhood home by planting a nutritional defense around her community.

The experiences of her past have greatly influenced her current path.

“I enlisted in the US Navy straight out of high school. I come from a family of community activists and military servicemen. As an Intelligence Specialist I deployed onboard the USS George Washington in 2004 during OIF/OEF. My job was providing research and information to higher ranking personnel.

While faced with the hazards of combat, I was also subjected to the ugliness of sexual harassment and racial discrimination while fighting for my country. This lead me on a spiraling path of depression, self-doubt, and a battle with PTSD that I continue to push through today.

Finding farming after service has provided the safe space for my healing and self-care while handling the effects of trauma. In today’s atmosphere, my farm has become a beacon of hope within my community. It allows me to continue my public service work with purpose.

Farming is the most underrated public service in the United States! Every community deserves the benefits of sustainable food practices, especially those used on small scale farms such as mine. Urban farming is the road to increased local food consumption. A healthier food system will emerge from the sharing of small farm culture.” -Tiffany Washington

Tiffany racked up experience before digging deep into her own ventures.

• She took an 18 week beginners course with Farmshare Austin.
• She completed a year long program, Battleground to Breaking Ground, for veterans at Texas A&M.
• She worked with a mentor, providing hands on training for 100 hours on her own property.

Tiffany signed her first commercial land lease in September of 2018. She worked with a local property owner willing to let her farm a quarter acre of their land. This tiny plot and founding place of Dobbin-Kauv Garden Farm is located in the neighborhood where Tiffany grew up. Unfortunately, that area and the folks who call it home, are now facing gentrification at an alarming rate.

Through that lease and the cultivation of the land, Tiffany’s mission is:

“to highlight and preserve Black Farm Heritage in Austin, Texas by growing quality produce, using organic practices. We connect families and communities with local Food and Farmers.”

The hectic life that surrounds a large family doesn’t prevent Tiffany from her public service. In fact, her kids inspire her to keep pushing, fighting for their neighborhood, and ensuring a place in society for small farms like hers.

“I have 4 children ages 13, 7, 5, and 4. Three boys and one girl. My kids are sponges, so they want to learn everything. I think I work for them sometimes because they tell me what to do on the farm all the time!

Also I’m raising 3 black boys in a very scary racial climate. They are able to see what it means to make a difference amongst adversity—building a purpose beyond color.” -Tiffany Washington

As a veteran who has turned to farming as way to further her own personal treatment, Tiffany has advice for anyone struggling with PTSD.

“Never be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. For years I struggled because of pride and the traditional idea that women of color are so strong that they never break. I come from a line of black women who’ve faced atrocities. That thought breaks me some days.

I depend on my friends, family, and doctors to support my growth. It’s okay to be vulnerable. There is someone out there who loves and supports you.

If you want to farm, go outside and get started. Seek out groups and local farmers. Volunteer. Take agriculture classes, business classes, and pull your britches up because this lifestyle is real.” -Tiffany Washington

As a small farmer, fighting the economic and cultural roadblocks that prevent many sustainable growers from prospering, Tiffany offers her advice to other food justice warriors.

• “Don’t be afraid to face your fears: the fear of being too young, too old, or too few in number.
• Go out there, seek the information, and get into action.
• Everyone should grow food regardless of farming aspirations.
• Start with a local Farmer. Call one up they’re probably in a phone book!” -Tiffany Washington

Tiffany is seizing this moment to reach out to the community and tap into resources for the farm.

“Crowdfunding is our current objective. It provides us the chance to have our community and neighbors involved in the journey and growth of the farm itself. I’m extremely classic, so I’m all about direct mailing letters and updates to our friends!

We hope to expand the farm to a full 2 acres in the next 5 years. This would include buying the entire property.

We hope to have a commercial kitchen to develop value adding products like baby food and freeze dried snacks. By connecting with resources and increasing sales, we will see consistent growth that could place us in a position to venture into Agritourism.” -Tiffany Washington

If you can, make a donation to Tiffany and her amazing vision. Today’s work and hustle will lay a foundation for future generations to thrive and support one another.

Sarah Thevenot of Stubb’s BBQ

Welcome to hell’s half acre, folks! That’s the affectionate way Stubb referred to what is now the location of Stubb’s BBQ in Austin. It is the place for good BBQ, good beer, and good music. So much history is jam packed into that joint. Stubb, respected war veteran and a real good cook,
opened up his first restaurant in 1968. It was all about that hickory pit and the blues. Legends like Stevie Ray Vaughn, Johnny Cash, Muddy Waters, and Willie Nelson all played there.

Even though Stubb passed a few years back, his spirit lives on in the food and the work ethic that drives the place now. Sarah, pictured above, started off as a bartender at Stubb’s and eventually worked her way up the ladder. She’s now the Special Events and Catering Director. There’s nothing like hard work to get you where you want to go.

shop Sarah’s look: Huron Shirt, Clarkston Cami, Curvy-Fit Tomboy Pant