Hey friends, we still have a couple spots open in my class @touchstonecenterforcrafts “flux burns, and objects of importance” So if you want to work on your forgewelds and gain a deeper appreciation for the objects you make, we’ll be forging small but thinking big. Assignments will center around personal hand tools that we all use, with a focus on customization and personal touch. Working towards student designed projects at the end of the week. Join us and flux around and find out.
I have financial aid available for one student if that helps someone in need. Dm for details.
Scribe/awl. Hey friends would you like to take a survey?
What is an important object in your everyday life? Something that is used often and has personal value, if only to you. It doesn’t have to be metal, you don’t have to be a blacksmith to answer. I’ll start: I have my great grandfather’s garden hoe. It has made its way down four generations and it is something I am grateful to use and think about what it has done, and may do. As I am coming up with new projects and assignments for classes, I am thinking more about the importance of the work, for the maker and for the user. Not only in the skill and process, but in the fulfillment of how it is used or enjoyed. So if you are willing to drop a comment and help me with examples for my students to think about, I would appreciate it. Stay rad my friends.
I would like to share a few thoughts on professional integrity and intellectual property, if you have a few moments to listen. These are dry run installation shots of some rails I have been picking away at. An interesting process as there are two layers of drywall and a plaster coat over top, so each mounting point needs a spacer to span from backing to rail so it will float off the plaster surface. Luckily it was a dry run as we went 1/6 on having backing in the walls. It happens. Things get missed. Glad we found it early. But the story with these rails, which I absolutely love. You don’t have to, but they really do it for me. It all started with a reference picture from my architect and client. What they wanted the rail to look like. I knew instantly who had made the rail they liked. It was obvious. I of course could replicate what they wanted, but I would prefer to respect other’s ideas and work. So I reached out first to @jamespriceblacksmith who was the author of the original rail. I explained the situation and really asked for his thoughts. I in no way wanted to copy his work, but I didn’t feel comfortable moving forward without a conversation of consent or inspiration. To find out his comfort level of using his ideas as a starting point. Thankfully he was quite gracious and understood I would try to make it my own, I felt much better knowing he was aware of my predicament. Luckily I was able to propose a completely new idea and also make it known why I felt uncomfortable replicating the original idea. Respect I believe can be understood by all. So while the internet has become a wonderful place where we can share ideas, keep in touch, and be inspired from all around the world. It also has become a place where every idea is free, as long as you have a screen shot of it. I try and have this conversation at the end of every class I lead. One about mutual respect and responsibility in our craft and community. Be honest about your work, and let others flourish with the work they make. Just because you can copy someone’s style, doesn’t mean you should. Stay rad!, be kind, and give credit where credit is due.
Restroom refinements, we had an impromptu repair and remodel of our master bath here at home. The stressful part is done and my sweetie even asked me to add my touch to it.
Exploring some more forged joinery ideas. I will be leading a group sculpture class this August in beautiful Montana at @newagrarianschool there are a couple slots still open. We will be forging and constructing a large sculpture focusing on all the details it takes to come together as a whole. So if you are interested in mathematically driven precision forging and unorthodox methods of mechanical joinery go take a look. The class is called “everything is important” Stay rad everyone!
Version 4. I finally got the air flow dialed where I want. Was able to keep it really skinny as well, which was important to me. Now to figure out a more economical way to make it without micro tigging my life away. #objectsofimportance
