Today I bring you something a little different from the regular… for starters, our featured artisan today is a bloke! Blacksmith Shane Stainton from Red Dog Forge makes amazing knives and homewares – mayhap you’ll find something for the man in your life (who perhaps fancies himself a little bit Indiana Jones…). Or, if you love the look of cast iron, a lovely handmade piece that would fit in with your home decor.
Where do you live?
in the foothills of the Adirondacks in Upstate NY
Where do you do your work?
I have a forge and workshop at home and also volunteer as a colonial period smith at Fort Klock
What’s your favourite place in the world, and why?
Selkirk Park Pond near Port Ontario, Its me childhood home
Tell us a little bit more about yourself! Your ‘day job’ or business, family, hobbies…
I’m heavily involved with both English medieval and American colonial recreation organizations, so when I’m not smithing at home I’m smithing in strange clothing in far away lands! *grins*
What did you want to be ‘when you grew up’?
Hercules or an astronaut or a blacksmith * no really*
How did you first get into your craft/art?
I first got into crafting in general when My friends Dick and Lia “adopted” me at a renn fair to be their worker…I got into smithing about 10 years ago to try to make my own leatherworking tools and quickly realized it was what I wanted to do full time.
What do you make?
I forge decorative accents for the home such as potracks candlesticks, door pulls, etc, I also am a bladesmith specializing in mid to high end custom knives.
What are you most proud of making?
Successful new blacksmiths! I really REALLY enjoy teaching the art and gain the most satisfaction from seeing someone “get” it and then run with it. What a high!
What do you like the most/least about selling your wares online?
Most? exposure, it usually leads to new people and places, least? not being able to meet said people in person.
I love…
teaching and demonstrating my craft
It drives me crazy when…
I cant find the coffee grounds in the morning! arrrrgh! 😀
What’s your favourite word?
Grok, no seriously, its a word! I swear! Google it!
If you could sum yourself or your work up in one sentence, it would say…
I strive to continue the smithing tradition as it was found in the mid eighteenth century, a time when the smith relied on the craft in their hands and heart.
Find Shane Online!
Shop:RedDogForge.etsy.com
Website:forgedknives.net
Blog: coming soon!
Shane is giving away 2 possible vouchers today a $20 voucher on any order under $200 and a $40 voucher on orders over $200. So if you know someone who might like a custom knife or other smithed piece, now would be a great time for an early present-shop! And, Shane will ship for free within the US and Canada!
To Enter:
1. Visit Red Dog Forge and come back here leaving a comment about your favourite piece from the store.
2. For additional entries, leave a comment saying that you: followed or subscribed to Epheriell Designs (or already do); have twittered about the givewaway; have shared the giveaway with friends on Facebook, or; you have written a blog post about it.
3. Entries close next Thursday night, the 13th of May, at 12pm Australian EST.
The winner will be chosen via Random.org
Remember to leave me a way of contacting you.. and Good Luck!
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The winner of last week’s giveaway was Vicki – congrats!
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