Best Blacksmith Ottawa Near Me

4worldlovers:
In eastern Ontario, Vans School of Blacksmithing provides the real forged in fire experience. Our mission is to provide our customers with the best facilities, experiences and education to enjoy the trade of blacksmithing. Whether you are looking for a one time experience or a more formal education in this venerable trade, we are here to get you started. We offer a large variety of blacksmithing courses and our store offers blacksmithing supplies, tools and finished wares. Drop by our store and classroom for a tours and introductions.

4worldlovers: He produces a wide range of decorative ironwork and sculpture for clients throughout the Outaouais, Ottawa, and Canada.

“I got my start in sculpture in 1987, when I began making quirky found object sculptures from items collected at a landfill site along the shores of Lake Ontario. The “fill” is a combination of small objects—glass, broken car and machinery parts, stainless steel kitchen utensils, copper wire, weird pieces of rubber, plastic, and rounded bricks, stones and bones—all tumbled smooth and polished by the water. I assembled these items into sculptures using nuts and bolts, epoxies, wire, rivets and silicone. I exhibited and sold these sculptures primarily in Toronto.”

“By 1991, my interests had evolved to include metalworking. I began reading books on blacksmithing and soon purchased an anvil, hammer, and a set of torches as a makeshift forge. I immediately fell in love with the ability to shape metal hot, and could see the advantage this skill would add to my found object sculptures. After spending a year in Eastern Europe apprenticing with Lithuanian blacksmiths, I moved to Wakefield in 1994 and set up a blacksmith shop.”

“As a craftsperson, I design and fabricate metalwork for both private and commercial clients. I build custom furniture, railings, lighting, fireplaces, and staircases in both classic and modern designs. I often use traditional blacksmithing techniques to create forged details such as spirals, leaves, or twists. I take pride in my work and fabricate cleanly welded custom creations that meet my customers’ needs.”

“Since 1987, I have been exploring the use of found objects by recycling them into thought-provoking sculptural works. My early sculptures consisted of assembling objects that I collected from an old landfill site along the shore of Lake Ontario in Toronto. The objects inspired me to create people, animals, and reflections on environmental issues.”

“A decade after establishing my blacksmith shop, in 1995 in Wakefield, Quebec I began to explore the fusion of forged metal with recycled material. Working with geometric forms, I started combining found objects with layers of forged steel and cast copper or aluminium to create unique pieces that explore life in the 21st century.”

“Today I continue to push my boundaries further to create unique artworks that explore my metal shaping abilities and my ongoing interest in found objects.”

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