Colonial Lighting Class at John C. Campbell Folk School

We spent another great week (never mind all the rain) at the Folk school. The blacksmith class was on Colonial Lighting with instructor Jerry Darnell. Here are some of the week's highlights.

 The Clay Spencer Blacksmith Shop, at John C. Campbell Folk School.

 Smoke in the mountains, coming from the forges.

Watching my blacksmith from the second floor of the timber frame shop.

  Teacher Jerry Darnell of Mill Creek Forge, showing Bernie and Bob a technique.

Show and tell in the Keith House on Friday.

Bird cage candle holder

 Peerman light

Peerman light

Peermans

Tommy light

Work light

Douser

4 candle chandelier

2 candle hanging light

It was a great group of guys, Shawn, Marty, Richard, Bernie, Mark, L.T., Bob and Jerry! Unfortunately, Greg couldn't be there for the group picture.

Blacksmithing at John C. Campbell Folk School

We spent the last two weeks at John C. Campbell folk school.  

What an amazing two weeks it was. 

This is the newest part of the shop built 4 years ago. 

Jerry Darnell of Mill Creek Forge taught an 18th century pipe smoking accessories class the first week that we were there. 

Here are the items that my blacksmith made. 

A good shot of him hard at work. 

Bob Alexander, a fellow Missouri blacksmith, works at one of the 14 forges in this beautiful building. 

The shop was a timber frame project made on site. I love the anvils carved into the beams. 

The Paul Garrett tool room. If it's not there, you probably don't need it. 

 This shot shows several smiths hard at work. 

Week number 2 was taught by Bob Alexander, with my blacksmith being the assistant instructor. It had 6 women and 6 men, some of whom had never even started a fire before.  The class was titled "Flowers in Metal".  Everyone started by making tulips. From there it was pretty open, from day lilies, cattails, daffodils, irises, even a trillium!

Show and tell at the end of the week showcased their work. The instuctors worked extra hard with such a big class, but I bet they are ready to go back in a heart beat.

A Blacksmith shop and a Timberframe

One thing close to my heart is our timber frame home. This
majestic frame stood tall before the stress skin panels were added.

Every morning I love waking up and see the golden oak beams 18 feet above my head.






One thing close to my husband's heart is his blacksmith shop. He can spend hours in here. He hammers out some wonderful items.



This video will show you a timber frame blacksmith shop being built at John C. Campbell folk school. Trust me when I tell you, both of us would be happy living and working in this magnificent building! The craftsmanship going into it is awesome.

Hope you enjoy it.