WHAT'S AN ANVIL CLOUD?

Want a Holly Fisher of your very own?

Perhaps you're ready to aquire a future heirloom, a one of a kind, custom designed, last forever kind of thing. If you'd like to commission a work of art, piece of furniture, architectural element, mantle, chandaleir, etc. from me, here is a brief outline of how my business is structured.
If, after seeing the kind of work that I do, you are interested in discussing a project that you have in mind, whether large or small, please give me a call or send an email if you prefer. If it sounds like something we would both like to pursue then I will ask for a design retainer to cover my time in producing a sketch or even a sample for larger works. Once the design, (which remains my property, as does a sample) and the price are agreed upon, then typically a 50% deposit is made with the balance being due when the metalwork is completed. All bids and estimates are good for thirty days. Some larger commissions, such as railing or gate projects which can take months to build may be done on a simple time and materials basis rather than a fixed price, though an estimate can be given. Other arrangements may be made by mutual agreement.
Its simple, and you can have a tailored, american made hand forged steel piece for your home too!

EVERY DAY IS A HOLLY-DAY!

ARC ANGEL BY JANE IRWIN! THANKS JANE! SEE more Jane at: http://www.vogelein.com/

Why not give somebody something really cool and heavy this year? We've got all kinds of great original art for your pleasure and amusement this holiday season. Please feel free to stop by and have a cup of cider with us.
Smartshop's Art Gallery and Sculpture Garden are open on Thursdays 12-7p, Fridays 10a-7p, and Saturdays 10a - 7p.

What its all about..

To Be of Use

The people I love the best
jump into work head first
without dallying in the shallows
and swim off with sure strokes almost out of sight.
They seem to become natives of that element,
the black sleek heads of seals
bouncing like half-submerged balls.

I love people who harness themselves, an ox to a heavy cart,
who pull like water buffalo, with massive patience,
who strain in the mud and the muck to move things forward,
who do what has to be done, again and again.

I want to be with people who submerge
in the task, who go into the fields to harvest
and work in a row and pass the bags along,
who are not parlor generals and field deserters
but move in a common rhythm
when the food must come in or the fire be put out.

The work of the world is common as mud.
Botched, it smears the hands, crumbles to dust.
But the thing worth doing well done
has a shape that satisfies, clean and evident.
Greek amphoras for wine or oil,
Hopi vases that held corn, are put in museums
but you know they were made to be used.
The pitcher cries for water to carry
and a person for work that is real.

Marge Piercy