Friday

Jim Thorpe is an old coal town in the Lehigh valley, once called the Switzerland of the US for it's idyllic mountain setting. It turns out that it also has a sizeable St. Paddy's day parade. Standing in line at the atm in town, the person in front of me and behind me started talking in true Irish brogues. It was legitimate.


Out in Hamburg, David Fisher's propane forge was running hot and his apprentice was busy brushing up a piece by the time I walked in at 7:45. The pieces that David was working on today were actually for a show tomorrow at Cabelas in Hamburg, PA. The reason he was able to work on these pieces today was because work is slow. The economy is slowing down and this little shop has felt it. Well, the shop isn't little at all. It's actually one of the larger shops that I've seen.

In a stark comparison I also stopped by the stained glass shop of Nic East. Nic East worked as a blacksmith in a fully staffed shop for thirty some years and then called it quits to retire in historic downtown Jim Thorpe, PA. Even though he had a considerable background in metal-working, it was clear that he had moved on. When I brought up blacksmithing, he introduced me to his current work, glass jewelry...

This one's for Gaskin.

The Leaning Barn

It's true to its name.

Dan Alexander turned out to be much more than a blacksmith. And I'm not merely talking about how the modern blacksmith is versatile and will usually take on anything from a fabrication job to a hand forged trellis to a repair job on a cast iron bell (Tim Beachley did the last one). I'm talking about how Dan put together his own jet-engine, built his own solar heating system, is fabricating his own gun, and is now making a clock for the house he is building.

Coming from a scientific background even he said that there is no connection between what he did and what he has been doing for the past fourteen years. Working in shop today with Dan was Allan, a religious studies major in college turned sculptor. He was encouraging, saying that he's been through a few recessions and has found there will always be a market for custom iron work. I pray that he's right.

Within this leaning barn that used to house horses and hay was one piece of equipment that begged your attention, the giant blue plasma cutter sitting in the corner. It was a beast, and supposedly is as expensive as you might think. In other news I have started making my Christmas wish list.. In due time I'll be sending it north, first class on the Polar Express..


This train blocked the path to Reed's Market in Lehighton where I picked up some food for the morning. Dark and early tomorrow I'll be heading to Hamburg, PA to meet with David Fisher.