ETSY FRONT PAGE

It's still SNOWING here.
my white snowflakes made the etsy front page!

Hand Forged Steel Bluegill Dish

I am tired of winter and thinking of spring already, Here is my latest creation fresh from my studio.

Our Bluegill dish is cut from recycled 1/8 in. thick steel and heated to a cherry red and hand forged one at a time into this handy little dish. They can be used to hold spare change, keys, jewelry or what ever else you want to put in them. Do to being hand forged each one will vary a little in size and appearance from the original piece that the pictures were taken of. After they are forged into shape they get wire brushed, heat colored and clear coated with a high quality automotive clear to preserve the natural beauty of the steel.

Holiday Show In New York City

Hi, I would like to let everyone know that some of my art work will be on display and for sale in New York City over the holiday season. I would like to invite anyone who is in the New York area from Dec. 4 th - 24 th to stop in Jim Seffens Studio at 405 W. 44th St. New York City. http://www.jimseffens.com/
The show schedule is Dec. 4-24, Open 12-8 Tuesdays-Sundays.
I would also like to take the time to thank Jim for inviting me and my art work to be in his show, unfortunately I will not be able to attend the show personally this year but would like to go visit Jim in the near future.
Here are some links to some of the other artists in the show.
http://www.rboxoriginals.com/
http://www.sicollections.com/
http://www.nathangwirtz.com/
http://www.carolynforsman.com/
http://www.dcmetaldesigns.com/
Thanks, Darryl

ETSY FRONT PAGE AGAIN

Well, we almost missed this one but a friend found it for us, my natural steel snowflake ornaments made the etsy front page the other day, it's been a good week on etsy!

ETSY FRONT PAGE

Hey everyone, check it out my knot made the front page of etsy!

Business Card Holder

Here is another new item fresh from the studio, Let me know what you think,

I really enjoy using old wore out items and giving them new life as something different. I have this in my etsy shop for sale, go in and check it out.

This business card holder is made from a old motorcycle chain, It is cut and welded into shape then wire brushed to give the metal a shinny look and then clear coated with a high grade automotive clear to preserve the natural beauty of the steel for years.This card holder makes a great gift for the motorcycle lover in your life.

Size is approx..... 4" wide X 2 1/2" deep X 2" high

Thanks for taking time to read my Blog. all comments are welcome.

Darryl

Barbed Wire Sculpture

Well here is another one of my sculptures that will make you scratch your head and ask WHY!!
Well I will tell you why, There is no special reason for this sculpture it is just one of those things that popped into my head and would not go away until I turned this vision into something made of steel, SO HERE IT IS!!! I hope there is someone else in the world that can see the beauty in my twisted metal. :o)

The wire is made from recycled 1/4" solid steel round stock and the barb is 3/16" solid round stock and is about 7" long.

Maple Leaf Hook

Here is another new item I have listed in my etsy store, It goes great with the maple leaf dish.

Our maple leaf hooks are made from recycled 16 gauge mild steel. They are cut, hand formed and heat colored one at a time. Each one will be a little different from the next making every one unique. After they are heat colored they are clear coated with a high quality automotive clear to preserve the natural beauty of the steel.Size ....3 1/2 " tall X 2" wide

Guitar Necklace

Here is a necklace for the musician in your life, I make it in two different styles and colors, Red & Black. It is made from 1/8" thick recycled steel and is 2" tall and 3/4" wide and hung on a cable necklace with a magnetic clasp that is very strong.

Primitive Ornaments

Here are some new ornaments that I have in my etsy store, they are approx. 4" tall. they are sold in a set of six ornaments, 2 hearts, 2 stars and 2 trees, they are available in two different finishes, Copper vein and a rust powder coat that is very durable and will last for years to come.

Thanks, Darryl

Staffordshire Knot

Here is a article that a friend from etsy sent to me about the Staffordshire knot, I thought it was a very interesting article, take time and check it out, here is the link.

http://www.igg.org.uk/gansg/00-app2/lms/nsr.htm

International sale

Well this is very exciting for me, I sold a set of white snowflake ornaments today and the interesting part for me is they are going over to the United Kingdom.
This whole etsy experience has been very interesting, I have chatted with people from all over the world and have looked at allot of beautiful hand made items,
I cant wait to see what is next. Please take the time to search around in the etsy shops and help support all the artist by making a purchase or two. You wont be disappointed.
Thanks, Darryl

Steel Soul

Hey my hand forged knot made a treasury, Check it out.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=29524

Beauty

Featured on another treasury (BEAUTY) check it out.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=29432

Is it to early for snowflakes

Check out this treasury, honored to be featured on it but it gives me the shivers, Just kidding :o) http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=15755

First sale on etsy

Well I made my first sale on my etsy site today, It was my maple leaf dish # 2 I have re-listed another one which is # 3. just in case you don't know each one I make is numbered, signed and dated, every piece of art I sell will start with # 2 and that is because my Wife (Roxanne) ALWAYS gets # 1 and she said that is the LAW and there are no exceptions, ha ha. :)
Thanks, Darryl

Alone

Just a quick note to let you know that my pine cone has been featured on another etsy treasury (ALONE) please take time and check it out. I am honored to be part of this group.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=15378

Made By Man Treasury

Just wanted to let everyone know that my buddy Tim ( Timothy Adam Designs ) and myself were featured on the Made by Man Treasury list at the same time, Check it out.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=14850

Cuteable

Hey I'm shocked again!!
Just got a convo. on my etsy shop today letting me know that I have been featured on cuteable today. here is the link to http://cuteable.com/ check it out they have a picture of my oak leaf dish on there.

Front Page Of Etsy

Hey everyone, my store has been open less than a week and I made the front page of etsy with my pine cone. WOW it is so exciting to get so much exposure so early in the game.

Oak Leaf Dish

Fresh from my studio this morning is another leaf dish, I put it in my etsy store already, stop in and check it out there are more pictures of it in there.

Ginko Leaf Dish

Well here is another dish to add to my new series of leaf dishes, this one is a Ginko leaf that I made this morning, it is cut and hand forged out of 1/8" steel it is approx. 5" x 7" plus the stem. I have had so many great comments on the maple leaf that I decided to do a whole series of different leafs to make into dishes for holding whatever you want to put in them, I am going to try to get another one made tomorrow and it will be a oak leaf.

Keep checking back to see what new items I am making to put in my etsy store, I will be making several new items to get the store ready for the holiday season, if you have any special items that you would like to see me make and add to my store please feel free to write and let me know what you would like to see and I will try to get one made if possible.

Thanks, Darryl

My Store is now Open

Hi Everyone,
I finally got my store open. It has been a long time coming.Feel free to go in and look around.And let me know what you think.Please check in frequently because I will be adding new items as time goes on.
Thanks
Darryl

STEEL MAPLE LEAF DISH

Here is another new item fresh out of the studio!
This maple leaf dish is approx. 6" x 7" It is hand forged out of 1/8" steel and slightly dished out to hold jewelry, keys, candy or what ever you want to put in it.

Snowflake Ornaments

Fresh out of the studio today and just in time to get ready for the Holiday season are my recycled steel snowflakes. In the first picture the snowflakes are left natural steel that have been heat blued to give them color and then powder coated with a silver metallic clear coat to give them a little sparkle and a glossy non toxic finish that will last for years.

In the second picture they were powder coated with a high gloss white and then re coated with the same silver metallic clear powder coat to give them shine and sparkle.

These snowflake ornaments can be hung on a Christmas tree or tied on packages as a extra little something to go with a gift, you can also use them for decorating or any thing else you want.

The snowflake Ornaments will be available for purchase through my online store, keep checking in for my grand opening coming soon.

Thanks, Darryl

A special thanks to a new friend

I just want to send out a special thanks to a new friend of mine,Timothy Adam, I met Tim a couple of months ago and my wife and I spent quite a while talking to him about a lot of different things. It was the time I spent talking with Tim about how he got started on the Internet that gave me the confidence to get started on building my own web site, he helped me get started and showed me a lot of stuff about the whole Internet world.
Tim is a very talented artist among other things, I am looking forward to working with Tim on some ideas that we have talked about.
Please take time and check out Tim's web site http://www.timothyadamdesigns.com/
Darryl
Thanks again Tim

Check out my web site

Hey everybody,its been a long time coming but I finally got my web site launched, please take time to check it out and let me know what you think by leaving me a comment here on my blog.

Thanks, Darryl
http://www.dcmetaldesigns.com/

web site

Hi everyone,


Sorry if you have had any trouble getting on my blog, I have switched my domain name over to my web site and have requested to go live with my site, I am waiting for a conformation from my host, I should be able to launch it in a couple of days.


You will be able to enter my site, my blog or my store when I get it set up right through my splash page when you go to http://www.dcmetaldesigns.com/ .


Please take the time to check out my whole site, I will still be making changes and updates even after I go live so please come back often to find out what is new in my site.


This whole Internet thing is new to me so it has taken me longer than I expected to get everything ready, I will be working on getting my store up and running next and get it linked to my site so keep checking the store button on the splash page, when it says (ENTER STORE) it will be open. be sure to come in and look around, I am sure it will be small to start out but I hope to add several items as time goes on. while you are looking in my store feel free to help a STARVING ARTIST get started by making a purchase :).
By the way that is a picture of my Wife Roxanne and I for those of you who don't know us.
Thanks, Darryl

Red Rose

Sorry I haven't had any new posts for awhile but I have been putting in allot of time working on my web site, I hope to get it on line soon.

Here is a picture of a rose that was colored with a steel coloring called Gilder's paste. After the rose is made it gets wire brushed and then the coloring put on, after that dries it gets a clear coat finish to give it a shine and keep it from rusting.

Knot

Some times the simplest things can make a very interesting piece!

Some people say I am a little odd because simple designs like this knot is impressive to me. I just enjoy taking a solid piece of steel and making it do things that you don't expect steel to do.

A lot of the pieces that I have posted so far are what I call design elements that I use in larger pieces of art. they also work well just as you see them here for smaller sculptures.

I have been working on building my web site trying to get it ready to go on line, I will also have my online store going soon and I will be offering allot of the pieces that you have seen here in my blog.

Please keep checking back, I will be letting you know when I get every thing ready to go on line.

Thanks, Darryl

Picture Frame With Wild Flowers

Here is one for the Lady's with wild flowers and a butterfly.

Picture Frame With Leafs

Here is another frame for a 8 x 10 picture, This is a photo of our oldest son Gary.

Picture Frame With Fish

This is one of my favorite frames that I have made so I decided to keep it and put a picture of our youngest son Brian in it. Every part of our frames are hand made except the glass, They are made from 1/4" steel plate and hand forged to give them the hammered look. I have made them with several different themes hand forged and attached to them. I made this one because Fishing is one of my favorite hobbies, I planned on putting a picture of my trophy fish in it except I am still trying to catch it. Each frame comes with a hand forged stand to display the frame.

I will be posting pictures of some other frames so keep checking back for more updates.

Thanks, Darryl

Address Sign

This lamp post address sign is made from 16 gauge steel, it has the numbers cut out on both sides with a removable center divider that can be powder coated to match the color of your house.
We also do many different styles of address signs even custom made to what ever the costumer wants.

Please Come Again

Please keep checking back, you never know what you will find here.
Don't forget all comments are welcome.
Thanks, Darryl

Tiger Lily

The petals and leaves for the tiger lily are cut from 18 gauge steel, they are then heated and hand formed into shape and then welded to a hand forged stem.

Pine Cone

The pine cone is made from 1/8" steel cut into a shape that resembles a hair comb. One end is welded to a hand forged stem, it is then heated to a cherry red and wrapped around the stem in a spiral pattern.then each spine is heated and hand formed into shape one at a time.

Steel Basket

My son and I weaved this basket for my wife for a Christmas present.

It is made from 1/8" flat stock, each piece was heated cherry red and hand formed one at a time, it was a very challenging project, after three days and a whole lot of burns this is what we came up with.

Not to bad for our first basket!

Please feel free to coment on any or all of my posts, this helps me to deside on which ones to make more of.

Rosebud

Each rosebud is cut from 18 gauge flat steel, then welded to a hand forged stem. Each petal is then heated to a cherry red and hand formed with pliers and tongs to make a delicate rosebud

Lunch time at the shop

I got the inspiration for this piece while I was on a lunch break at the shop. Yes you guessed it I was eating grapes that my wife packed for me in my lunch. I was coming to the end of the grapes on the stem when I set them on the table to get a drink of coffee, AND THERE IT WAS!! I could not eat anymore of them until I made a sketch of it sitting on the table.

"You never know where and when you will get inspiration."

Cross Sculpture

This sculpture was made by welding two identical pieces of 16 gauge steel together at the seams, I then welded in a 1/4" pipe in the bottom and hooked it to a air hose. I then heated the cross to a cherry red and blew it up with the air like a balloon.Then I added the rosebud and a stand.

Rose

My roses are made from 18 gauge steel cut out of flat sheets with a plasma cutter, all the pieces are stacked and welded to a hand forged stem. Each petal is heated to a cherry red and hand formed one at a time with pliers and tongs.

Just checking out some banners, trying to decide what to use on my web site when I get it up and running.

Banner

How I make the Dogwood Flower

I cut the rough shape of the dogwood flower out of 18 gauge steel with a plasma cutter, I then heat the piece of metal to a cherry red in my forge, I then use a chisel with the cutting edge rounded off to give each petal of the flower some texture. I then heat the metal again and forge each petal into shape with a hammer and a block of oak wood. I make sure my doors are open and all the fans are on because the smoke gets pretty bad, from the wood burning from the hot metal.Once the flower is close to the right shape, I'll heat it up again and give it all the finishing touches with a pair of pliers and tongs. Once the flower is made,I forge out a stem made from whatever roundstock I have laying around. I then weld the flowers to the stem add some leaves and any other detail I need.Once it is done to where I like it ,I wire brush it and clear coat it to keep it from rusting.

Taking It To The Next Level

I have decided that it is time for me to take my love for working with metal to the next level.
Up until this point in my life I have considered myself a Blacksmith / Fabricator, now I am going to focus more on the artistic side of what I do and add the title Artist to my list of skills.
As I get more familiar with this whole Internet thing I will be posting a lot of photos and descriptions of my work, feel free to comment on any or all posts, good or bad.
Keep checking back you never know what or when you might find something new here.

Button Example

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