New shoulder will take months to get back to some semblance of usefulness. For now working with some copper and some simple spoons and trying to determine the size of a ladle. 

I have been dealing with a series of health issues since last fall and have been in the forge only sparingly since then.  

My right shoulder finally, literally,  fell apart and I'm told the only option left is to have it completely replaced at the end of May. I've rec'd many requests for various sundials and other forgery work; my apologies. 

I've been under the weather since October 2021. Like, seriously under the weather. Thank goodness it wasn't COVID, but I've hit a sequence of rather serious, unrelated, medical events and I understand that another storm is on the way. The result is that I haven't been in the forge since late October and it wasn't until this past week that I've felt stable being back in the forge and around machinery. 

This past week I finally tackled a simple bit of forging and it feels good to have that ache deep in your bones and even get a burn or two. 

Squirrel cookers are one the most basic pieces of forgery that comes up.  They have the most basic elements of forging: shaping, cutting, and twists. All these cookers are made from 3/8" mild steel and are strong enough for everything from steak strips to marshmallows.  They get used a lot for Welsh Rabbit when we are camping (cheese spread on toast) and work fine as a simple fork, but also have a convenient stand. The other end of the fork is a curved billy pot for heating small cans over a fire. They were common in kits for explorers and fur traders and are now found at every rendezvous.   

The patina is a simple wax coating that won't hold up long over the fire and being stuck in the ground.  If a coat of fat or wax is wiped over the warm metal work, the rust can be fought off at least temporarily.

Finally, it's clear that the forge won't be open for the Creede Studio Tour in August. When things clear up and the forge gets back to normal, I'll post something. 

A few quick bottle openers for a local equestrian lover. Got careless, forgot to set safety post on treadle hammer, and broke the tips on two fingers along with a joint on pointer finger. Getting better at these; no alligators in the batch (long noses make them look like gators). Got requests for some mules, maybe next time. 

Working on a very small, but interesting project for a local ranch: forging some simple brackets for mounting dueling pistols above their new bar. Used a hot oil bath for the patina so the color of the bracket would match the color of the gun steel. 

... that's impossible. Only try to realize the truth: There is no spoon. 

Some geegaws for visitors to the shop during the Studio Tour. 

Still some clean up to do but they are ready and just passing time until the visitors arrive

One last rock sundial and then I'll be ready for the Studio Tour

Started a new sundial that is of the style of the original sundials that I first forged about 7 years ago.  I still enjoy this sundial style - there are a few blacksmithing techniques that always provide a challenge. Getting better with each one but still interesting to me.