Interview with a Blacksmith

I've been following a lady known as for some time now since she received a Daily Deviation for a stunning gate she did (pictured below).   I've really come to appreciate her talent and skill and the organic nature of practically every design I've seen. She has very graciously agreed to do an interview for me, which I will be posting as a series. So, without further ado, here is part one!


Name: Paula Jensen
Location: Guthrie, Minnesota, U.S.A
Age: 44

1. How long have you been blacksmithing?</b>
I've been working with metal for about 10 years, give or take. Quit a welding job in 2001 to pursue the artist blacksmithing and have been progressively working on being just that ever since. I have a difficult time considering myself as a 'real' blacksmith. More artist than smith.

2. Why blacksmithing? What got you into it? How did you learn, and who was your master or teacher?</b>
I blame it on my husband Larry. He has been a metal worker/fabricator for over 30 years. He was a hobby blacksmith. I started out as a sketch/painter artist but wasn't having very much success selling any of it. Larry suggested I try my hand at blacksmithing...so, he proceeded to teach me how to weld....blacksmith...work with metal. He still works with me when I'm not sure how to approach a job. To learn to work with metal is all about experience. You just have to go out there and do it. I didn't have very much experience with any of the tools. Felt all thumbs in the beginning, but it's a matter of using them and practice. Never mind how big your scrap pile is; over time it will get smaller...ask me how I know.... Books help tremendously and going to blacksmith conferences to watch the masters teaches a lot. For the most part, it's just trial and error. There is no right way or wrong way of doing it...just some methods work better than others.

3. When did you begin learning, and how long was it before you started doing more professional or artistic work on a regular basis?</b>
Larry started to teach me how to weld about 10, 12 years ago. He convinced his boss to let me do some welding on rolled sheet metal that they needed for some jobs. (Larry worked in a fabrication shop) Apparently I did okay, because he was allowed to keep bringing it home. That progressed to actually getting hired by the same company as a temp welder. Then I was hired full time by a fireplace company and began welding fireplace doors and face frames for fireplaces. (I hated that job...Motivation for the blacksmithing, but the job was a great educational tool).....while working there I was dabbling with the blacksmithing at home. 2001 was the year we decided that I could use my artistic skills to do the blacksmithing, and I quit. Larry paid the bills and kept us fed while I worked at home. One of the first things I made was an arbor. Why start small? I wanted to get this ball rolling...the quicker the better. I've always been an artist, it's just that now I was using metal as my medium. I guess the "professional" part came when I actually started getting commissions.

Thank you, Paula, for your willingness and participation in this interview. Part 2 is available here</u> and Part 3 is here</u>.