chyancarrek

Hey Derek,

Google pottery/glass blowing suppliers or art foundry suppliers. You'll come up with all sorts of selection both digital and analog. Price range from 70 bucks on up to the hundreds of dollars.

Here's a place to start: www.sundanceglass.com/controllers.htm

Luckily I've not had any break-ins but there are only a few deputies covering the very large rural area where I live.

One of them told me that even if they knew the exact location of my house, by the time they could respond (they might be on the other side of the county) whatever was happening would probably be over so I should always be ready to take care of business.

A loaded shotgun and a 2 million candle-power light (the light is a great self defense weapon) always stand ready.

Sad state of affairs but that's the reality of it.

this is an excellent use of scrap. I like the fact that each one is unique

Thanks!
All my work is made from reclaimed materials - its one of the most enjoyable parts of smithing for me, finding something that has no perceived value and turning it into useful things.

Here's a shot of one of my trinket items - Iron worry stones

Made from 3/4" x 1" mild steel plugs left over from a punching process.

Flatten them down under my air hammer then grab whatever is in the studio (bolts, washers, welding wire etc.) to impress a pattern.

I charge 3 bucks apiece or 3 or more for 2.50 ea.

Kids and adults love em'.

Thanks Nate.

It really is all just a dance - you just gotta figure out what the next step is.

I've always found that things work out in the end!

Hey Nate,

I'd call that a super .10 worth! Great suggestions all!

Unfortunately, I'm in the "been there done that" category on most of them.

I was an interpretive blacksmith at a national historic site for about 5 years and I've done more demos (historic and otherwise) than I can count. It was a great experience and I'll always treasure it but it no longer holds any attraction for me.

I've also done enough teaching to know it's not my cup o' tea - I do enjoy watching the students as the act of discovery of what they are doing takes hold, but it isn't what motivates me.

I already specialize in "creatively functional" work. I combine wood and iron and non-ferrous metals into unique accessories for the home (see attached pics) Most of the work I do is food-safe serving dishes and vessels / utensils along with your standard fare of BBQ tools, fireplace sets, small furniture etc..

Selling isn't the problem - my work is popular with my clients - what it really comes down to is I just really want to do work only for myself.

Because this is my sole source of income, it takes all of my available time and energy to stay ahead so I feel a bit trapped by the fact that if I just stop selling work to pursue my other ideas, I have to seek another way to make money for a while and I just haven't come to terms with that yet.

In reality, it's a great problem to have - I just need to find a way to balance it all out.

Once again - thanks for the thoughts!!

Timely subject for me - I'm approaching an "I'm done with this" phase in my work. I'm really starting to burn out on spending all my time doing what sells and no time working on my creative ideas.

I've never had a problem with repetitive work - I can stand all day long doing the same thing over and over and over - it gets kind of "zen" for me and becomes about the pace of it.

The other factor is for the first time since I started doing this ten years ago, I'm really interested in doing work for myself. I'd really like to fix up my place and turn some of my talent to what I want instead of always satisfying someone else's creative direction.

I've never really enjoyed the process of blacksmithing but I truly love "having blacksmithed" - when the finished product is in front of me, I always think "that was worth doing".

Wow - it felt good to put that in writing. I think I'll go back out to the studio for a bit . . .

Will do Mike!

Helston? - I think I've been there. Back in the 70's - a family visit - we went to Porthleven to visit friends then over to Helston to see a church.

It was a long time ago so I don't remember too much but it sure was a a great trip!

Once again - welcome to IFI!

Welcome Ethersin!

Glenn has a great site here - lots of good info and folk!

I've got relatives in Penzance and Newlyn - what part of Cornwall are you from?

Anyone going to the NWBA conference in Stevenson Washington this weekend (Sept. 26 - 28)?

Hey highlander,

Nice haul! Always great to pick through yesteryear . . . .

Your hardy tool does look to be a pry bar - I've got one identical to it.

The unit with the crank handle on the side is a bench mounted hand grinder.

Have fun!

Welcome Lou!

This is a great site, you'll enjoy it!

What part of Oregon are you from?

Ironrose,

That's just plain ol' simple greed. It's also a real strong comment on how dysfunctional that fella's outlook is. Unfortunately there's no shortage of folk who will gleefully stick it the next person down the line.

has anyone considered what we do to anvils to be wrong? Perhaps collectors hate us.

Perhaps they do. But they're collecting an item that maintains a significant viability within the community that uses it. Older anvils and other smithing tools play a key role in how our craft is kept alive - isolating them from the folks that could be advantaged by them does that community a disservice.

Sure they can be misused, and some are, but the craft does a pretty good job of maintaining a tradition of how to best use and care for the equipment that supports us. Look at how many anvils have been brought back to full potential by repair and refurbishing.

If we relegate vintage smithing equipment to the status of just being collectables, not only are we removing a source of viable tools but we disconnect ourselves from a participatory role in keeping the history of our craft alive.

Hey Guys , Anvils are no different than old cars , guns , coins , stamps or any of the thousands of things people collect .

Not so much - Old cars, guns, coins etc have their value and appeal in BEING collectables. There aren't too many folks buying a 57' Chevy as the family daily driver or using a rare coin to buy a soda. The functionality of the things you mentioned have been replaced by a vast selection of modern versions at a level the average consumer can afford - the items collected don't have a negative availability impact on any given community.

No one questioned the "right" of anyone to buy whatever they want - just the motivation behind it. How many PW's or Hay-Budden's of the same size does one person need in their collection? Blacksmithing is about sharing knowledge and the resources to keep our craft growing - when a smith (or collector) hoards multiple pieces of the same tool, it hurts the community.

Indeed, you can purchase a new anvil - but they're prohibitively expensive. Most people get into smithing on a shoestring - having more of the older equipment available provides a broader price range to more people trying to grow into the craft. No one is suggesting anyone make their tools available at prices below what they paid (or not make a profit) as some philanthropic gesture - just simply make them available.

So much quality equipment ended up in the furnaces during WWII and much has been lost to neglect and misuse that older "heritage" quality smithing tools have become a finite resource - having a significant number of what's left end up being stacked in the corner for "bragging rights" is a nothing short of a shame.

Yeah, it's aggravating but let's not leave our own community out of the discussion. There's an awful lot of anvils owned by collectors that will never see hot metal again. Many of these collectors are smiths who are fully aware of their collection's potential.

Collecting anvils that are rare or have some historical significance is one thing but when there's a stack of usable anvils in some smith's shop just to be looked at - that's a shame.

Great start!

Keep us posted - looking forward to seeing the finished project.

I can't stand tongs - using them or making them. I hang on to the metal to the bitter end as I prefer to work that way but they're a necessary evil so I'm equal on buying or making. Just depends on the situation

As far as a smith always making his own tongs - Do what works for you but I have no problem giving a fellow smith my business and supporting the community in that way.

I'm really lucky to be good friends with a fella named Glen that makes outstanding tongs (gstongs.com) so we barter back and forth - works out really well.

I'm 51 and couldn't grow a beard if my life depended on it.

I've got just enough to have to shave daily, but very thin and patchy. A 16 year old kid could probably sprout more than me!

Keep the hair really short too . . . when I look at old pics of me when I tried to grow it long . . . oh, so, so pathetic!

hmm, its been a long road . . .

Here's a list of once dids and some still doing . . . woodworker, product illustrator, graphic design systems specialist , scuba instructor, upholsterer, business analyst, window washer, horse barn caretaker, production supervisor, pine-cone sorter, graphic designer, forklift operator, digital prepress specialist, bindery worker and way too many things to list working on the farms when I was growing up.

Dang -I think I'm tired now . . .

Welcome Tom!

Quite the contrast - a fellow who works with and against fire.

Looking forward to your input!

Enjoy!

Hey Jeremiah,

I'll chime in here with the rest of the fellas - go! You won't regret it!!

Also remember - it's not just about you. It's a year later and the ol' boy is still wondering when you'll come by. Give him the opportunity to share his life with you - for his sake.

I've worked with a bronze sculptor for ten years (he was 73 when I started with him) and there's no way to put into words how much my time with him is worth to me.

He's my best friend, mentor, advisor and living history book. He's been casting bronze for 60 years and what I've gained from him in experience and knowledge has been nothing short of incredible.

We'll probably never pour metal together again as he has a large body of work on the ground that needs finishing and the process for making a piece takes a year and some of the work is grueling.

He's recently started recalling his experiences from WWII in the Navy aboard a destroyer in the Pacific. This is new - he's never discussed it before but now seems too have a need to put those memories in perspective with the rest of his life.

Our elders are everything we have been - everything we are - and everything we will be - take the time to listen to them.

It's happened so often, I just don't pay attention to them anymore.

Here's a few of mine

Blacksmith side

Wood working side

Outside

Not going myself but my Chevy Suburban is already there - This will be it's fourth trip to the Playa.

My Ex is part of the Lamplighter crew so we swap rigs each year because the Suburban is way more suited to the trip than her Honda CRV.

Always look forward to the pics she brings back but not the dust that will need to be cleaned out of my truck . . .