A couple had an idea for centerpieces for the tables at their wedding. Their initial plan was to make models of molecules using plastic pieces glued together. After several attempts, they decided that it was not going to work like they planned. They approached me about a month and a half before the wedding and explained their concept, and asked if I thought I could help out. I took the concept, and approximate dimensions and came back with a couple examples. They liked the examples and requested them plus enough for all of the guest tables. Afterward they kept some of their favorites for their collection and used the remaining as gifts for the wedding party. All of the pieces were created using steel reclaimed from various sources. Color was added using enamel paint and each piece was given a protective clear coat of acrylic lacquer.
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This Maker has consistently demonstrated excellence in craftsmanship and customer service.
My interest in metalwork began at a young age while visiting my grandpa's farm when he was shoeing the horses. I was fascinated with how the metal could be formed and shaped. Several years later, while in high school metal shop, I learned the basics of forming sheet metal as well as gas and arc welding. This reinforced my love of metal and opened up a whole new world of creation that, unfortunately was put on hold shortly after graduation. A couple decades later, I began work resto-modding a '53 Chevy pickup. This ended up a reminder of my love for metalwork.
During the process, I was able to see the craftsmanship and metalwork performed by human hands as compared to modern cars. This also caused me to take notice of other everyday things once made of metal with fine detail but are now hum-drum and made from plastic.
This prompted me to take the skills I had learned so far and see what else I could do with the old metal. So, I dusted off my grandpa's anvil, portable forge and oxy-acetylene torch, along with the metalworking tools I acquired for the truck and began making… more scrap.
Over the next few years my creations became more and more refined and recognizable, and more people approached me to make a creation for them.
I still use primarily recycled metal, most of it is transformed and no longer recognizable from it's previous form, but in some cases it does remain intact. Many times it still has some of the character em-blemished on it from it's previous life.
No automated equipment is used and, with the exception of found objects in some pieces, no mass produced parts are used. Each project is a unique, one-off, original piece of art created by hand, by me, using "old school" techniques in my studio just outside of St. Louis, Missouri.
Thank you for stopping in to learn more about me. I look forward to working with you soon!
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