j powell

steel paper airplane...ended up making a pile of them, they're actually really cute.

come to a central virginia blacksmith guild meeting (the next one is the 2nd saturday of next month at grayhaven winery in Mineral) if you can and ask around, people group up to buy coal all the time there. (or a closer guild, i'm terrible with geography so i'm not sure if there is another guild that might be closer to you)

my dad wanted to get into smithing so i went along to spend time with him (not in great health,) i have to say i was totally not excited. my mental image was a bunch of dudes looking like hagrid (from harry potter y'all) shoeing horses and gnawing on giant turkey legs (no offense to anyone who resembles that remark intended.) I was surprised to find a thriving community of diverse artists who are not only willing but generally thrilled to share what they have learned! quickly smithing has taken over my arts and crafts life. now guild meetings have become my favorite day of the month. it's like a group of painters who work in all different styles getting together and sharing methods and secrets. and i have yet to find a better way to start a conversation than to mention blacksmithing...