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.

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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.