What I Do

The bulk of my work is architectural comissions.  If something is wanted for a building, if it's to be made of iron, and it needs to be attractive and well made, this is the place to come.  But in addition to that I do what blacksmiths do:  we form iron by working it hot, and that can be almost anything.  I've made parts for agricultural machinery and for antique buggies and sleighs.  I've made sculpture, napkin rings, knives, candelabra, staircases, woodworkers tools...If no one else wants to mess with it, I'll have a look.  No, I don't shoe horses.  I've made a couple of horseshoes, but I don't put them on horses.  Farriery is another trade, and a very respectable one, but it's not mine.

Design

Except for restorations and similar cases where  it is necessary to match existing work, I do all my own design.  I am happy to design to your taste and concept, and one of my strengths is an ability to work in a variety of styles to offer each customer a one-of-a-kind creation.

Walt working on a design for an interior railing

Since 2005 the teaching of blacksmithing has become part of our repretoire.  We are currently offering a one semester introductory course under the auspices of the University of Kansas, and I have also taught  severak  weeklong courses  at John C. Campbell Folk School.  On occaision I have also worked with students from the very valuable Lawrence progam, Van Go Mobile Arts.

Here are a couple of examples of student work done in the KU introductory class:

"Scorpion":  Juniper Tangpuz

"Ribs":  Andrew Leek

We feel that teaching gives us a chance to introduce art students to a new, rich, and demanding medium and to give architecture students a chance to see what goes into the making of quality architectural Iron work.  It also turns out to be a great deal of fun, for students and teachers alike.  Every semester some student gives me a new insight into the work I do.  Each student is required to design and produce a project, and the challenge of helping them find a way to realize their personal vision is invariably eye-opening.

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