Larry and I gave a talk at Sivertson's Gallery in Grand Marais Mn Feb 9.  It went fairly well... the first 2 or 3 seconds were a bit unnerving for me, but Larry loved it.  We had some of our tools and a small anvil for people to see.  I used modeling clay as a demo on how to move metal.  Being in a gallery setting, a forge would have been very disruptive to all of the fine pieces exhibited there.... so, modeling clay worked great to give people the idea.  It was cold and windy that night and we still had quite a few people show.  They were great!  Asking questions and laughing when appropriate... what an experience...Met Liz Sivertson, and was very impressed by her patience and great humor...nice lady.

It has been a while since making an entry so thought it a good idea this morning....

This summer had been quiet as far as orders.  But I took the opportunity to create a fireplace screen and matching tool set...Still working on the tool set.  It has become a bit involved.  Lots of forming little parts, welding them onto the base, grinding, shaping.  That sort of thing.  It is put on the temporary back burner because the orders are starting to trickle in again... That's a good thing!  

The most recent order has been for a outside fireplace.  The couple want a pine branch mounted to their outside fireplace, made from bronze.  (no finish required on bronze)  It has been fun working with this metal.  It's similar to working with copper, but, I think, more sensitive to heat.  It literally disintegrates if it gets too hot.  They also ordered a fireplace tool set to mounted on the fireplace. 

What I like about working as a artist/blacksmith is that creating functional pieces for every day living can also be artistic.  You can have a piece of art in your hand while you shovel out the ashes in your fireplace.  That to me is what makes this work so much fun.  People have asked, "how can you part with your work?"  The answer is that the joy is in making the piece and then watching peoples reaction to it.  Besides, what the heck would I do with all the things I've made?  

So, there is another entry.  Not sure what is 'news worthy' to be bloging... but will keep trying.

Here is the light fixture.  Our client had the lights, but she couldn't find a bracket that would allow the lights to hang over her bar.  That's where we came in.  The branch is made from pipe that was 'drawn' down, very slowly so that the pipe wouldn't collapse.  It took some time.  Anyway.  She was happy.  The blue bird took the longest, having never made one.... I'm sure given the opportunity, it will go faster for the next one.

Frustration is mounting for us.  We are in a dilemma of how to reach clients that want what we have to offer.  We had advertised in a local magazine for a year...Close to $5000.00 later, two phone calls and no orders... I guess that's where the old saying goes, 'education don't come cheap'. 

We consider lowering our prices, but here's the dilemma with that scenario... lower the cost and make products that reflect that price range?  Or... keep the prices where they are, and have fewer sales.... frustration.....yup...