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.

Vine railings

Designed for a woman whose garden inspires the whole neighborhood. Railing mimics tendrils growing on saplings. Very nice to hold. Mild steel.

About the Artist

My interest in blacksmithing began in 1992, when I inherited the tools from my father's forge. Soon, I had set up my own forge and studio to study and learn traditional forging techniques.

In 2002, I founded Emerald City Forge in Massachusetts to pursue my love of blacksmithing full time. 

In 2005, we moved to a larger modern shop and studio in the northwoods of Wisconsin and changed the name to Island City Forge.

I rely on my experience as an engineer, an artist, a lighting designer and remodeling contractor to address the structural safety and durability requirements, as well as the aesthetics of the metalwork.

Island City Forge provides high quality architectural and sculptural metalwork to the modern, discriminating client.  With time-honored craftsmanship, I create architectural metalwork and sculpture that is bold, lyrical and inventive. 

My work is inspired by nature's beauty, by spiritual intuition and by the transformative nature of the forging process itself.  This inspiration, blended with the client's visions, results in unique expressions in metalwork.

One of our strengths is in working collaboratively with clients and their designers: architects, interior designers and builders.  A collaborative approach respects the high standard each individual brings to a project and assures an overall unified design.