female_blacksmith

Hi Alex, I live in South Townsville. I have a Facebook page ' Denise Axelsen Artisan Blacksmith ' all my contact details are on there. Always happy to have visitors. I don't know a lot but possibly a bit more than you, and willing to share what I do know.

That's a very beautiful present ! Denise

Hang on a minute, I can't count. I have been blacksmithing 15 years, not 20 + as stated earlier, just feels that way at the moment ! Denise

A couple of years after I started blacksmithing I tore the tendon on my right elbow, treated conservatively and wore a forearm strap for years. Do not wear it anymore and it seems to have disappeared but does occasionally cause me grief. Developed golfers elbow in my left elbow ( pain and swelling on the inside elbow ) that settled down and flairs up occasionally too. Now, for the last year I developed dequervains in my left thumb/wrist and soon after, the same in my right wrist too. That really slowed down my forge working abilities especially the pain and loss of function. So, I have just had surgery, dequerveins release to both wrists. The results 2 weeks on are amazing....instant pain relief and full movement back again, although a bit wasted, so am madly doing exercises to strengthen them. I reckon I will be back in the forge soon. I am seriously pursuing buying a power hammer to lesson the stress to my hands because I am certainly not ready to give up yet. Been blacksmithing full time initially but part time at the moment for the last 20 + years. Hope this is useful to you. Feel free to ask more info if interested billyO Denise

I like it Colleen ! And I definitely think a hand crafted broom finishes it off beautifully. Love how you've shaped the leaves too. A good conversation piece, for sure. Denise

You could direct that little power hammer direct to my place, save you taking it home !

Wow ! Every hour shows, the detail is fantastic. Denise

Hi Ian, I really like the sandstone the sculpture is set in as well as your sculpture. Agree with the other comments on the more you do the sculptures seem to develop more flow and balance as your mind loosens up...does that make sense ? Anyway for me, that appears to be the case...I think. Good luck in the ' Arts ' competition ! Denise

Congratulations Dave, beautiful work. Looking forward to seeing many more of your creations ! Denise

Congratulations Dave, beautiful work. Looking forward to seeing many more of your creations ! Denise

I find a better quality cup brush ( fitted to 4" grinder ) as opposed to a cheap one throws out less spikes, but still wear full face shield protection and a leather apron. Got fed up pulling out spikes from all over especially my face !

Hi Michael, I am from townsville. Welcome to IFI. Corin mentioned you to me thinking I lived nearer to you. Lots of lovely friendly help here !

I use black pen in an A5 sketch book for ideas, then start messing around with grey plasticine to simulate size, method, whether I think it looks balanced, calculate length of steel I might need and then move onto making a sample piece. Most things I make are fairly small though.

I would be interested in watching the whole process. Wonder if I could make a flat pack one that would fit in my suitcase and weigh under 23kg baggage allowance on the aircraft back home !!! .....lol