how I got started, tools, and in progress report

A few of you asked how I got started in metalwork. I was a senior in Anthropology at UIUC back in the mid 80s. I decided to take intro jewelry during my senior year, thinking it was something like wire and beadwork. Hah, was I wrong. It was hard work, this art stuff. They wanted me to work on design. I hadn't drawn since elementary school, so I made elaborate paper models instead (a fantastic way to learn by the way.) I worked hard. I was productive and my work gradually improved. They liked my attitude and work ethic. I graduated with honors in anthropology, hung around town, and took metals classes non-degree for 2 years. During that time I also took a few blacksmithing courses at Penland School of Crafts in North Carolina. Again, I was not particularly talented in blacksmithing, but I continued to work at it, however I could. After a few years of non-degree jewelry work at UIUC, I decided to apply to grad school in Jewelry & Metals. I applied to five places, was accepted to 4 and decided to attend SDSU. At the time, Arline Fisch and Helen Shirk were the two professors. (Arline is retired now and as I understand it, Helen is easing into retirement, teaching alternating semesters. ) I continued creating metalwork, learning about art, and doing work in steel however I could. I found that by working in sheet steel, down in the sculpture studios, I could make larger pieces without big muscles. Then I started the bas-relief pieces. For my MFA thesis work, I focused on work in sheet steel- big leafy pieces and expressive bas-relief works. And here I am, oh......., let's just say many years later and I still am one of the few people with a niche in decorative ironwork made from sheet metal. Yes, I do standard hot forging, but my artistic strengths really shine in the sheet work.

Now, back to the workshop info. Here is what I was working on during the class.

I usually work on a leaf during a workshop, because I can do them intuitively at this point.

Some people on metalmeet asked about my tooling.
For my pneumatic chisel (hammer not chisel), I modify existing chisels or blanks to these 4 basic shapes. I share these during workshops but do not sell them.

Here are my hand-held chasing tools. The first shot shows all 12 of the basic set that I provide for workshop use (and sell) during my workshops. The next 2 shots are details of the same tools.

I make all of these tools by hand. I forge them out (without a power hammer), anneal them, grind them to shape, polish them, and individually harden and temper the working tips. These are time consuming little buggers. Every time I make up a batch, I realize why I don't want to make them for sale outside of workshops.

However!!

I do have extra and I do have bills to pay, so I will sell them. Please email me through the contact links if you want to know what's available individually or in sets.