John D. Harvey || Blacksmith

Artist blacksmith in Rhode Island

  • Home
  • For Sale
  • Blog
  • About
  • Social Media
  • Contact

Featured Stories

  • Featured

Gallery of Forged Chopsticks

Gallery of Forged Chopsticks

April 13, 2021 By John D. Harvey Leave a Comment

First Sets

These were the first sets I produced as part of a Fools with Tools podcast maker challenge via blacksmith Steve House. These have a hot beeswax patina. I experimented with different twist styles. I’ve done fancier twists than this, but I’m finding that I like the simpler twists more.

  • Simple twist hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey
  • Pointed twist hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey.
  • Pointed twist hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey.

Patina Experiments

From there, I started experimenting with art patinas via Sculpt Nouveau. While an interesting experiment, this was a misstep on my part. Even with a durable lacquer, these patinas aren’t dishwasher safe. Though I provided instructions to no put them in the dishwasher, customers have accidentally put them in the dishwasher. So, I don’t do art patinas on chopsticks anymore.

  • Black swirl hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey
  • Brown twist hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey
  • Brown twist hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey
  • Black swirl hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey

Carpenter Chopsticks Set

These were forged for ceramics and metal artist Laura White Carpenter. Reverse twist, but with a matte finish instead of shiny.

  • Black twist hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey
  • Black twist hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey
  • Black twist hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey

Harvey Chopsticks Sets

These are the first sets that I produced sans patinas and using 304 stainless steel. They went to my sister, Sharon, and her partner. Sharon is the executive director at the Cleveland Animal Protective League.

  • Harvey Sets. Hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey.
  • Harvey Sets. Hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey.

Fisher Simple Twist Set

This set went to my friend Alan Fisher in England. Very simple twists, but I like how the twist gradually transitions to straight. I’d love to say that was intentional, but in this case it wasn’t. Also, the “golden hour” lighting at my shop is amazing. My chopsticks aren’t actually this blue.

  • Fisher Set. Hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey.
  • Fisher Set. Hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey.

DuBour Chopstick Sets

These two sets went to Chris and Amy DuBour in Connecticut. These were fun twist experiments.

  • DuBour Sets. Hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey.
  • DuBour Sets. Hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey.

Jacobs Chopsticks Set

And these went to another ceramics artist, Heidi Jacobs of Whitehall Pottery. In this instance, she specifically wanted to pair her chopsticks with a noodle bowl of her own design. She was nice enough to take some brilliant images of my chopsticks “in action”.

  • Jacobs Set. Hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey.
  • Jacobs Set. Hand-forged chopsticks by John D. Harvey.
  • Jacobs set chopsticks “in action” with sushi.
  • Jacobs set chopsticks “in action” with sushi.
  • Jacobs set chopsticks with noodle bowl by Whitehall Pottery.
  • Jacobs set chopsticks with noodle bowl by Whitehall Pottery.

Filed Under: Chopsticks, Featured, Small Work Tagged With: chopsticks

Hand-Forged Chopsticks for Heidi

April 4, 2021 By John D. Harvey Leave a Comment

Finished these hand-forged chopsticks last night from 304 stainless steel. They’ll go to Heidi Jacobs of Whitehall Pottery in Pittsburgh, PA.

Filed Under: Featured, Small Work Tagged With: chopsticks, cooking, food

Successful Holiday Market at The Steel Yard (Providence, RI)

December 24, 2020 By John D. Harvey 1 Comment

On 19 December 2020, I was a vendor/exhibitor at The Steel Yard‘s “Holiday Art Market”, and it was really a great event held in very challenging times. All the pandemic precautions were in place: social distancing, mask wearing, hand sanitizer, and staggered entry of patrons to prevent crowding. Also, it was held outdoors, which in December in Rhode Island is a bit of a gamble.

Prepping items to sell at The Steel Yard’s Holiday Art Market 2020

With the exception of a few miscellaneous bits and bobs, about 90% of what I brought were bottle openers. It’s a smart seller’s choice given the holiday season. Bottle openers are good stocking stuffers and everyone has a beer lover in the family. I sold well over half of what I brought in for the sale.

I’ll also point out that the staggered entry of patrons to the sale worked out well (I think) for the sellers. Because of the steady, regulated flow of customers and no “rushes” or crowding, it was easy for me to chat with each buyer or individual group about the things I make and why I make them. I definitely feel like that helped me sell more items, and also talk to people about follow-on work in the months to come.

My table at the Holiday Art Market. (driftwood gifted by Laura White Carpenter)

The event was also very tiring for me. As a classic introvert, and someone who has been locked away by the pandemic, I’m very out of practice when it comes to talking in person to lots of people I don’t know. Though I had great fun and moved a lot of product, I was utterly drained by the end of it. That said, I was thrilled by some of the friends of mine who showed up to support my work and chat a bit. A highlight was meeting fellow “Fools with Tools Podcast” groupie, Nick Carruthers, a very fine woodworker here in Rhode Island. Nick and I have been online friends for quite a while now, but this was our first time seeing each other in “meatspace.”

Meeting Nick (a.k.a. The Grain Doctor) at The Steel Yard.

Anyway, I don’t sell at many in-person markets. Meaning, I sell at perhaps two physical venues each year, and the only one that’s open to the public is The Steel Yard’s “Holiday Art Market”. So, if you want to buy directly from me, then I’ll see you in December 2021 at The Steel Yard.

To finish, I want to thank all of The Steel Yard staff who put this event together. In the current crisis environment, it was a big logistical challenge with more moving parts as usual. I’m sure that all of the artists you support appreciate your efforts to advance the arts in these trying times.

Why The Steel Yard?

You probably see and hear me go on about The Steel Yard a lot and wonder why. Going back about 6 years ago, I was struggling with my Dad’s declining health and not coping very well. By chance, I found this blacksmithing episode of the BBC’s Mastercrafts TV series on YouTube. For whatever reason, it sparked something in me and it also occurred to me that this might be something that would help manage my anxiety.

So, I got on Google and quickly discovered that The Steel Yard offered a two-day beginner’s course and it was on the upcoming weekend (12 April 2014). I signed up immediately, not knowing anything about blacksmithing or The Steel Yard. Suffice it to say that I absolutely fell in love with it. I mean, I didn’t show any particular talent, but I loved it.

The very first thing I ever forged at the The Steel Yard in April 2014.

I took more classes at The Steel Yard, each building on the last. It was very good for managing my stress. That said, I was not able to blacksmith as much as I wanted, because helping my Dad as he slowly declined took up a lot of bandwidth. It wouldn’t be until Dad passed in late 2017 that my time blacksmithing went from perhaps once per month to a more dedicated schedule. And thankfully I had blacksmithing at that time in my life; I was a bit of a wreck in the months after my Dad left us.

In any case, at some point I decided to start volunteering at The Steel Yard. I got a good feeling from everyone I met there, and I just wanted to help. Long story short, the people there are my friends now and I think they’re all fantastic.

Anyway, if you like any of the stuff I make, then you can ultimately blame The Steel Yard. I would not be doing any of this if it were not for them. And by “blame” The Steel Yard, I mean “donate”. Click here to give them a bit of money. They deserve it.

Filed Under: Bottle Openers, Cool Stuff, Featured Tagged With: bottle openers, the steel yard

Bottle Openers before the Storm!

December 16, 2020 By John D. Harvey Leave a Comment

These were forged before tonight’s winter storm. Productive night.

Filed Under: Bottle Openers, Featured Tagged With: bottle opener

I almost threw this bottle opener away…

December 15, 2020 By John D. Harvey Leave a Comment

As far as I’m concerned, half of getting good at anything is learning how to make mistakes look like features.

So, the round hole in the cap-lifting tab on this bottle opener was last night’s mistake (at the time a crack/ fissure). A little work with a Dremel tonight and I’m unusually pleased with it now.

Yes, my maker’s mark is on upside down. I could also fix that, but I’ve decided to quit while I’m ahead.

Filed Under: Beer, Bottle Openers, Featured Tagged With: bottle opener

Cthulhu-Inspired Pipe Stand

November 29, 2020 By John D. Harvey Leave a Comment

Here is a Cthulhu-inspired pipe stand that now lives with a friend in England. If the term “Cthulhu” is new to you, it refers to a body of fantastical horror stories written by H.P. Lovecraft in the early 20th century (mostly in Providence, RI). If you’re still not familiar, then Google will fill in the gaps … there’s a lot out there.

This piece combines traditional forging, MIG welding, filing, the liberal use of an angle grinder, as well as more liberal quantities of panic, frustration, and late nights. I’m going to say that about 80% of what you see here is stuff I’ve never done before, or not done in this context or quantity (hence, the frustration, etc.).

The coloring was achieved using metal patinas from Sculpt Nouveau (@sculptnouveau). It’s a hair under a foot long, 6 inches tall, and about 5 inches deep.
 
I’m happy with it. But I think I’ll go back to bottle openers and chopsticks for a while…

Here’s a gallery of the finished product:

Here’s few images of how it looked before I added the patinas:

And here are some close-ups and during-assembly shots:

Filed Under: Cool Stuff, Featured, Interior Furnishings Tagged With: cthulhu, lovecraft, MIG weld, pipestand

Top-Twist Chopsticks

October 18, 2020 By John D. Harvey Leave a Comment

Here’s tonight’s hand-forged steel chopsticks (along with an in-process hot shot). Experimenting with the twists at the top is fun.

So far, all the tops have been finished with bees wax. But I just spent a bit of money with Sculpt Nouveau (@sculptnouveau), so I’m looking forward to some patina experiments in the near future.

Top-Twist Chopsticks

Filed Under: Featured, Small Work Tagged With: chopsticks

Reverse-Twist Chopsticks

October 6, 2020 By John D. Harvey Leave a Comment

Another set of #chopsticks completed tonight at JDH Metalcraft. Different pattern from the last. Oh by the way, these belong to @theartistinresidence.

Reverse-Twist Chopsticks

Filed Under: Featured, Small Work Tagged With: chopsticks

Hand-Forged Chopsticks

September 26, 2020 By John D. Harvey Leave a Comment

This week I participated in a @fwtpodcast maker challenge to create chopsticks in the medium of our choice (for me, hand-forged metal obviously). Mild steel; nothing fancy. They’re perhaps a half-inch longer than the disposable wooden chopsticks you get in takeout.

Hand-Forged Chopsticks

Filed Under: Featured, Small Work Tagged With: chopsticks

Forging a Leaf Pendant

September 18, 2020 By John D. Harvey Leave a Comment

I had fun watching @ijessup and @max_randolph_studios make leaves together on Instagram, and realized it’s been months since I made leaves. So, this is last night’s work. Think I’ll do a bunch of these pendants in the coming weeks.

Forged Leaf Pendants

Filed Under: Featured, Jewelry, Small Work Tagged With: jewelry

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Get JDH Forge E-News

johndharvey

John D Harvey | JDH Metalcraft
Last night I taught a very fun "Introduction to Fo Last night I taught a very fun "Introduction to Forged Leaves" course at @thesteelyard. I had four great students (including @thegraindoctor).
-
-
-
-
-
#ArtistBlacksmith #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmiths #Blacksmith #Blacksmithing #JDHmetalcraft #handforged #handmade #madeinamerica #designermaker
My chopsticks "in action". This is the set that I My chopsticks "in action". This is the set that I delivered to Heidi Jacobs of @whitehall_pottery. Not that chopsticks are precision machinery, but they appear to function as intended. The plate in the image was made by Heidi.

People wonder if they're heavy. Obviously, they're heavier than wooden or bamboo chopsticks, but not heavier than a sturdy fork or knife. I'm also asked occasionally if the metal hurts the teeth. If you've been putting metal forks in your mouth for your whole life, this won't be a different experience.

Fun fact ... metal chopsticks are standard in Korea.
-
-
-
-
-
#ArtistBlacksmith #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmiths #Blacksmith #Blacksmithing #JDHmetalcraft #handforged #handmade #madeinamerica #designermaker
I'm teaching a one-night "Forged Leaves" course at I'm teaching a one-night "Forged Leaves" course at @thesteelyard on Tuesday night. The problem, I realized a couple of weeks ago, is that I haven't been forging a lot of leaves lately.

So, in addition to forging chopsticks, I've been working on re-acquainting myself with these little guys. I made this leaf pendant today while also putting together some of the special tools for the class.

It's my first time teaching this subject matter. So, it's fair to say that I'm a bit nervous.
-
-
-
-
-
#ArtistBlacksmith #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmiths #Blacksmith #Blacksmithing #JDHmetalcraft #handforged #handmade #madeinamerica #designermaker
Here we have a beautiful noodle bowl crafted by ce Here we have a beautiful noodle bowl crafted by ceramics artist Heidi Jacobs (@whitehall_pottery) combined with a set of my stainless steel, hand-forged chopsticks.

I get a special thrill from seeing my work out and about in the world. But seeing something you've made partnered up with another maker's brilliant work is amazing. Thank you, Heidi, for these images. I hope you enjoy the chopsticks.
-
-
-
-
-
#ArtistBlacksmith #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmiths #Blacksmith #Blacksmithing #JDHmetalcraft #handforged #handmade #madeinamerica #designermaker
Last night I forged four new blacksmiths. This was Last night I forged four new blacksmiths. This was the end of my regularly occurring "Forge Your Own Bottle Opener" course for absolute beginners at The Steel Yard (@thesteelyard).
-
-
-
-
-
#ArtistBlacksmith #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmiths #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithDesign #Blacksmith #BlacksmithArt #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft
Finished yesterday. These hand-forged chopsticks w Finished yesterday. These hand-forged chopsticks will go to @whitehall_pottery in Pittsburgh, PA.

#ArtistBlacksmith #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmiths #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithDesign #Blacksmith #BlacksmithArt #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft
Hand-forged chopsticks in progress. #ArtistBlacks Hand-forged chopsticks in progress.

#ArtistBlacksmith #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmiths #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithDesign #Blacksmith #BlacksmithArt #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft
So in today's episode of "Hey, I'm not sure that's So in today's episode of "Hey, I'm not sure that's how you use a die grinder...", I took 8 inches of 3/8-inch square stock and tapered it from the middle to points at both ends. Total length came out to 14 inches.

(This is a test for a penannular brooch, but I used larger-than-needed stock to make the experiment easier.)

After securing the piece in a post vice, I used a die grinder and a ball-ended bit to carve a groove down the "center" of all four flats. I put quotes on 'center' because I haven't done this before and my groove was about as straight as the Appalachian Trail. What's pictured here is my best stretch. Everything else was all over the place. I was fine with that; I actually hoped it would produce some interesting texture or effect.

Then I heated it up again and put in a simple reverse twist (one full turn each way).

I'm both happy and disappointed that the twist did a lot to obscure my erratic skills with a die grinder (I was sort of hoping for something more dramatic...).

Anyway, there will be more experiments with this method. I think it might be faster than using a guillotine tool on hot steel, but I'm unsure of that. I also think there are different methods I can try for more interesting results.

Anyway, it wasn't a waste of time. So... success.
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign #BlacksmithTool #BlacksmithShop
Three out of the five twisting wrenches I made las Three out of the five twisting wrenches I made last weekend were old Trimos. When I saw this big 2-foot Trimo at Exeter Scrap this morning, I figured it was fate. Also, it was a steal... $10.

Its rusty and pitted but the mechanism threads are intact. I already wire wheeled the surface rust and it's soaking in @evapo_rust to get at the hard-to-reach crevices.

It'll become a large twisting wrench to finish the set.
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign 

#BlacksmithTool #BlacksmithShop #twistingwrench #wrench #vintagetools #oldtools #trimowrench
I've come back to forging chopsticks. I'm going to I've come back to forging chopsticks. I'm going to make a bunch of these while taking notes on the process, order of operations, materials, patinas (if any), etc. This way, it'll be less guesswork and trying to remember little details when I forge these. Standing over the anvil wondering about next steps (or forgetting next steps...) is time I can't afford to waste.

I'm actually thinking of marketing the chopsticks without any patinas just to make cleaning them a little less fussy for the customer. I'd appreciate any thoughts or comments regarding patinas on these. I like doing patinas, but I also like finishing pieces with less fuss and bother.

Anyway, there were two other sets where I tried two new(ish) twists. Neither of those worked out and have been tossed to the Scrap Bucket of Shame. So, I see some stainless steel pendants in the near future...
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign
Pretty sure I can get another week out of this cup Pretty sure I can get another week out of this cup brush...
Got a patina on this snakey little pendant. I'm no Got a patina on this snakey little pendant. I'm not unhappy with it, but it's not quite what I wanted. More experiments on the horizon, but I'm done with this one. 
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign
It's shameful how long I've gone without a set of It's shameful how long I've gone without a set of twisting wrenches in the shop.

So, I sorted that out today.
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign 
#BlacksmithTool #BlacksmithShop #BlacksmithForge #blacksmithtools
Here's a few of the penannular brooches that I del Here's a few of the penannular brooches that I delivered to @danacameron65. I never get tired of seeing my forged work being used by friends and customers! I'm really happy that you like them, Dana.
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign
Failures ... Over at the "Fools with Tools" (FWT) Failures ... Over at the "Fools with Tools" (FWT) maker FB group, a member posted about holding onto failed pieces to remind you to do better. That's fine, but I've never really needed help being reminded that I could do better. That's sort of an 'every night' thing...

I do keep a "Scrap Bucket of Shame", though. Almost everything that goes wrong gets thrown in there. But I use it as a source of test pieces to experiment with textures, techniques, and patinas, etc., so I don't wreck something that's intended to be a "final draft".

I also occasionally dive into the shame bucket to see if there's something I can rescue. This practice goes back to when I was learning at @thesteelyard 'Open Studio' nights, and I'd go "quench bucket diving" for discarded bits of metal from previous blacksmithing classes. I practiced making lots of hooks, bottle openers, and other doo-dads without paying for metal.
 
So, tonight I decided to revisit that practice and I pulled out an early penannular brooch pin that went wrong. Without much fuss or bother, now it's a twisty little pendant. It's not exactly what I was shooting for, but I've never made one of these before. So, I'm calling it a success. Especially since it's a piece that pissed me off the first time around.

There's no patina on it yet. I'll do that this weekend. I might even sell it if someone likes it well enough.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign
Technically, a parent shouldn't have favorites. B Technically, a parent shouldn't have favorites.

But it's possible that I have favorites...
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign
This batch of penannular brooches is done and dust This batch of penannular brooches is done and dusted (and will be mailed out tomorrow).

Aside from learning how to make the brooches themselves, this provided a great opportunity to experiment with a bunch of fancy-pants patinas.

Some experiments (both with patinas and forging) went better than others. I'd say nearly as many as you see here wound up in the scrap bucket of shame.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign
The earlier texture experiment put to use on two p The earlier texture experiment put to use on two penannular brooches.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign
A relatively successful experiment. - - - - - - - A relatively successful experiment.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign
This was fun. - - - - - - - #BlacksmithArt #Artis This was fun. 
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
#BlacksmithArt #ArtistBlacksmith #Blacksmiths #Blacksmithing #BlacksmithLife #JDHMetalcraft #BlacksmithDesigner #BlacksmithArtist #Blacksmith #BlacksmithDesign
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Featured Posts

Gallery of Forged Chopsticks

First Sets These were the first sets I produced as part of a Fools with Tools podcast maker challenge via blacksmith Steve House. These have a hot beeswax patina. I experimented with different twist styles. I've done fancier twists than this, but … [Read More...]

Hand-Forged Chopsticks for Heidi

Finished these hand-forged chopsticks last night from 304 stainless steel. They'll go to Heidi Jacobs of Whitehall Pottery in Pittsburgh, PA. … [Read More...]

Successful Holiday Market at The Steel Yard (Providence, RI)

On 19 December 2020, I was a vendor/exhibitor at The Steel Yard's "Holiday Art Market", and it was really a great event held in very challenging times. All the pandemic precautions were in place: social distancing, mask wearing, hand sanitizer, and … [Read More...]

Copyright © 2021 · John D. Harvey · Log in