Artist Blacksmith

hello and question about who buys this stuff

Joe B — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:01:05 -0600

Hi gang,
I hope I'm posting to the right place. This is my first time using the forum and unsure but here goes.
I am an artist blacksmith residing and working in Knoxville, TN. I've been a blacksmith off and on since 1979 but mostly as a hobby except for a while during 2000 to 2004 when I tried making money at it. Now I have jumped in the deep end of the pool and hope to make a living from it. I have hooked up with a bunch named SCORE which is a group of retired business people who donate their time to act as mentors for people like me. I understand the basics of business because we ran our own electronics design consulting business for six years. What I don't understand is how to advertise and market my fine hand forged ironwork. We know that craft shows are not necessarily the best way from previous experience. But galleries seem to charge large amounts (in one case 60% !) for selling my work and they get a commission for anything I sell within 100 miles of them.

Rivet

dowpat — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:45:19 -0500

Bowl - Rivet

One Legged Bowl

dowpat — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:42:21 -0500

Bowl

One Legged Bowl

dowpat — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 21:39:52 -0500

Bowl

Joanna William - Fire sculpture burning skull for Malvern Show

Joanna William — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:20:34 -0500

Jo Williams - Artist Blacksmith and Fire Sculptor
Currently working on fire sculpture of a skull, made from steel round bar and reinforcement grid for firework display at three counties showground Ma

It's Here!!

Woodford — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:16:16 -0600

It's here! My forge from NC TOOL CO. It's pretty much the most bad a** thing ever! I'm super stoked. And it's going to make this new year all the better. If you haven't seen or used a forge from NC TOOL, it's quality stuff. Highly recommended!

California Forging

Woodford — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 13:20:39 -0600

Hello everybody, I've been looking around here for a couple hours now and I'm pretty happy to find a site that brings so many talented metalsmiths together! I've just finished my service enlistment and have been forging my own knives and nick-nacks for about a year now. I would really like to work for a professional forge if there is work/help needed in the southern California area. Maybe you, or someone you know is in a situation to take on a hard worker and motivated learner? Thanks for reading, Happy New Year!

New member...

Smyth Boone — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 18:46:45 -0500

Hello,

I am just joining this community and look forward to interacting and networking with you all. Hopefully, some of you will know me and I look forward to reacquainting with you and to meeting new metalworkers. I am an 18 generation blacksmith and have been forging for over 17 years, taught internationally and have been published in numerous books and periodicals.

This is More Railing of the First Photo from the Close-up and 1st Photo

Karin Valerius — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 17:08:11 -0500

This was a very large project of over 350' of railing.
Hand-Forged iron and bronze.

Hand-Forged Floral Picture Frame

Karin Valerius — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 00:26:51 -0500

This is a hand-forged picture frame. Hammered iron and flowers.