SONG OF THE BLACKSMITH
Encouraged by a local children's book author to express my passion for blacksmithing, I set about crafting a story that captured the beauty of working with red-hot steel in a way I thought young children would enjoy.
Along with the help of a local artist to illustrate, my book “Song of the Blacksmith” has now been published. I was surprised to find that there has not been another book on blacksmiths ever written for the young reader, so my hope is that "Song of the Blacksmith” will become a staple in every library. |
BLACKSMITHING
I started blacksmithing 15 years ago while volunteering at Black Creek Pioneer Village in Toronto. I enjoyed it so much I built a forge of my own behind my home. Since that time I have crafted many items from steel, taken several commissions, given lessons and numerous demonstrations at Fairs, Festivals and Museums. To find out more, visit my blacksmithing page.
WOODWORKING
Woodworking has been a hobby of mine since I was very young, carrying a pocketknife with me so that I can carve whenever I had a spare minute. That passion for whittling evolved into working on Naval Crests, family shields and Welsh Love Spoons. While serving overseas in the Canadian Navy I started carving little heads in my cabin.
I gave many of these heads away to people who used them as zipper pulls which led me to make a display of a wooden zipper for the head. The response to the display was mostly for the zipper so I was encouraged to expand my work in that direction.
Throughout my carving career I have never used paint , relying on the natural colour of the wood to accent the piece.
Only recently have I blended my blacksmithing with my wood carving in making metal fittings for a wooden zipper.
I gave many of these heads away to people who used them as zipper pulls which led me to make a display of a wooden zipper for the head. The response to the display was mostly for the zipper so I was encouraged to expand my work in that direction.
Throughout my carving career I have never used paint , relying on the natural colour of the wood to accent the piece.
Only recently have I blended my blacksmithing with my wood carving in making metal fittings for a wooden zipper.