Artist blacksmith in Rhode Island
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.
Another set of #chopsticks completed tonight at JDH Metalcraft. Different pattern from the last. Oh by the way, these belong to @theartistinresidence.
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.
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.
My 17-year-old solo student, John, learned the basics of tool making last night at @thesteelyard. He produced a round punch/drift and chisel that he’ll heat treat at home and via The Steel Yard’s open studios program. This was our last class. He’s a bright, focused young man. He’ll make a fine blacksmith.
Also pictured are a round punch/drift and chisel that I produced earlier in the week to demo hardening and tempering tool steel. We’ll see how they perform as I use them to make bottle openers and forged leaves. These were all made from scrap spring steel (meaning, mystery metal), so getting the heat treatment right is a process of experimentation, note-taking, and SWAGs.
Tool making is probably a thing I’ll do more in the future.
It’s amazing what you might find abandoned on the side of the road. This had a big “FREE” sign taped to it. It will be restored at a later date.
