Cattail and Blue Heron Railing in Saint Germain, Wisconsin

This wood and iron railing portrays the beauty of the blue heron in her natural setting. Forged mild steel.

 

Terrace Railings in Chicago

This elegant and curved railing adorns a large slate terrace for a residence near Chicago. It features broad sweeping curves and a verdigris finish. With a combined length of over 160 lineal feet, it is Island City Forge's largest project. 

I was one of a team of three blacksmiths who created the railing. Each of us built major sections of the railing in our own shops, then brought them together for bending and finishing. The project was coordinated by Bob Walsh, artist blacksmith, who brought in two additional people for the installation.

Thanks to the precise initial measurements at the site and the quality of each smith's work, the railing fit perfectly.

The railing was sandblasted and then hot-dipped galvanized prior to painting to assure the long-term durability of the finish.

Each railing section was curved after it was assembled to match its location on the terrace.

Modern Railing in Sudbury, Massachusetts

Railing with continuous handrail completes a modern residence with a central stair tower. It spans two and one half stories. Won the Luxury Living Award along with chief architect, Chris Walsh of Framingham, Massachusetts.  Mild steel with stainless steel cable and connectors.

Northwoods Railing in Minocqua, Wisconsin

This railing is a successful blending of cedar and steel in a major remodeling of a residence in Minocqua. Views from the Great Room look out over Lake Minocqua.

The intent of the design was to add a focal point by incorporating natural curving forms for a space that is defined by straight lines and right-angles. The railing also meets the new requirements in the building code that specifies a maximum "pass-through" of four inches for railings.



Classic Railing in New York City

This railing defines the street entrance to an architect's office in New York City. It features spear-shaped finials on top of straight pickets to create a classic look.

Modern fabrication techniques were used to complete this project. For example, the major panel elements in the two window grilles were created using the water-jet cutting process.

Fireplace Screen in a Storybook Style

This screen was originally designed to be placed in front of a rectangular fireplace in a ranch-styled home. The curves of the top of the frame and the plant elements work to add some curved shapes into an otherwise rectilinear-shaped room. Note that the lower center of the screen is open to allow for an unobstructed view of the fire.

Oak Tree Fireplace Tools

The clients desired a set of fireplace tools that mimics shapes in the stand of oaks outside their new home in Grafton, Wisconsin.With tools in the shape of branches, the set features oak leaves, acorns and a metal base in the shape of a slab of oak trunk.

The leaves are cut from flat sheet. Then the veins are chisled in.  Next, the stem is rolled and the body is shaped while hot. Fortunately, there is an abundant supply of oak leaves in the woods near Island City Forge to use as models.

Arts and Crafts Coat Tree

The oak coat tree was rescued from an attic in a north Minneapolis bungalow. The large metal hooks and finial were forged in the Arts & Crafts Style. The dark texture of the forged iron provides a perfect compliment to the aged oak.

Outdoor Bake Oven Tools

I was approached by a landscaper who was just finishing the construction of a large outdoor baking oven for one of his clients who loves to bake. This traditional style of oven is heated by building a wood fire inside the oven chamber prior to baking. The project included handles for the oven doors, fire tools and a set of racks for the various implements. The basket handles provide a good grip while minimizing the conduction of heat.

Kitchen Drawer Pulls

I often get called when the client can't find anything they like in the standard offerings in the marketplace. Even though there is a much larger selection of drawer pulls available now, the options are limited for large sizes. And the drawers in this island cabinet are large: 30 & 36 inches wide. These pulls feature a curved band of forged bronze in combination with forged steel. The steel is was given a lighter finish which is similar in hue to the stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.

Sunflower Andirons

I was contacted to replace the sunflowers a on very old set of fireplace andirons. The photo below show how the new sunflowers were created. The seed cluster is made from BBs welded together from the back.

Bronze Door Handles for a Synagogue

These large handles were commissioned by the designer of Jewish Day Care Center. They were forged form an old brass propeller shaft I found for sale near the harbor in Boston.

Prairie School Window Grille

This window grille once adorned the front door of our residence in the Boston area. It was inspired by the art glass designs of Frank Lloyd Wright and other designers working in the Prairie School style.

Custom Trophies - Wisconsin State High School Cross-Country Skiing Awards

I was commissioned to create trophies for the Wisconsin State High School Cross Country Skiing Championships in 2007 and 2008. The race sponsors were looking for an alternative to the standard trophy motif. I asked myself "What if those primitive cave dwellers in France could ski?" And the design was born.

The Lakeland Union High School teams placed in both years and several of these trophies are now featured in our local high school's sports trophy case.

Piano Railing

Designed for a jazz musician and his artist wife living in the Boston area. Mild steel.

Crucifixes

The Celtic Cross is made from four railroad spikes. The Crucifix is comprised of mild steel and redwood.

Four bracelets

Jewelry incorporates traditional forging techniques as the primary design elements. Forged and polished stainless steel.

Primitive knife

"Not for Peanut Butter and Jelly"

Inspired by the Ulu knives of the Inuit Eskimos.

Forged mild and stainless steel, with brass rivets.

Kitchen hardware

The pot rack was formed to match the shape of the family’s dining room table. Mild steel.

Five-sided hood features copper panels, thick copper edging and copper rivets.

Sunrise Grille

Shapes add decoration as well as security to an east-facing window. Forged mild and stainless steel.

Candle holders

The smoke wisp candle holders remind me of the cigars I no longer smoke. Mild steel with copper feet.