A Thank You Note to IFI

[BlackBooger]

Greetings all. 

I am writing this post as a thank you to all the artists who share their knowledge and wisdom on this site. I have been a lurker for a while and have found the information here invaluable time and time again. You see, when I first took interest in blacksmithing I was a mere lad of 17. I did some research after a PBS special on the subject, found blueprints for the Ol ' 55 forge and $20 and a couple welding rods later I was making fully functional S hooks and feeling like a genius.  

    I was hooked. I started seeing metal everywhere. I was barely legal driving age and I couldn't drive anywhere without scanning ditches and barns for useful items to fuel my addiction. I dreamed of blacksmithing for a living. I knew nothing about the business so I sought information here. Rather than ask a stupid question I used the search bar and found many other children had the same googly - eyed idea. I took the advice offered and resisted the urge to peruse a useless fine arts degree and got a job doing slave labor at a fab shop. 

That was eleven years ago. 

I now have a large set of skills and a nice job. For three years I have sold items I made at festivals and weekend markets and have made a nice side business out of it. 

So thanks guys. 

[Charles R. Stevens]

Well Glenn, there is one to the good, lol. He isnt even complaining about the grouchy old men!

proud to share Glens's little site with you BB

[SmoothBore]

When you were 17, ... what would have been your reaction, ... if you'd been told it would be 8 or 10 years ( of serious sweat ) before you might see a few bucks of return ?

And, it's important to note, .. that the current ( and quite likely short-lived ) popularity of hand Forged work, is the only reason you can sell anything at a profit, today.

When the next "hot new pop-culture" fad comes along, ... it will once again be hard to recoup the material cost from most projects.

And that's OK .....

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from pursuing any kind of Metal Work.

But few teenagers are prepared for the giant dose of reality that will accompany an attempt to make a living, pursuing any sort of "Craft".

"Many are called, ... but few are chosen".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Personally, ... knowing up-front that it's not going to be about the money, ... "liberates" me, to expend whatever amount of time and material that I deem necessary, ... to achieve a result that I find satisfactory.

That satisfaction, is the ultimate profit.

 

.

 

[kevan]

I'm not trying to discourage anyone from pursuing any kind of Metal Work.

But few teenagers are prepared for the giant dose of reality that will accompany an attempt to make a living, pursuing any sort of "Craft".

"Many are called, ... but few are chosen".

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Personally, ... knowing up-front that it's not going to be about the money, ... "liberates" me, to expend whatever amount of time and material that I deem necessary, ... to achieve a result that I find satisfactory.

 

That satisfaction, is the ultimate profit.

​Well said!

[BlackBooger]

Thanks Charles. 

SB, Glenn and others in IFI made it abundantly clear how long it Would take to acquire the skills, resources, and client base necessary to make a profit. That dose of reality helped me get past the myths and fantasy to a practical path to a successful career as a fabricator. I agree with your point that the market for hand forged goods shifting to the " New Old Thing " at any time. Fortunately for me I have an amazingly supportive wife and her Austrian cohort to work as my sales babes! Fads come and go but a well dressed, charismatic woman never goes out of style. 

Edited April 23, 2015 by BlackBooger

[Charles R. Stevens]

Behind every great man...

[gote]

,,,,,,stands a surprised woman