Village Squire, 1979-12, Page 13BY LAURA DRUMMOND
There are not many people doing what Jim Wallace does
today. Sixty years ago every community had a man like Jim
Wallace.
Six miles southeast of Goderich, in the village of Ben miller, is
a shop with a sign "Blacksmith, Jas. B. Wallace."
There are many farriers today --people who shoe horses. But
there are very few blacksmiths left. Jim says he is the only
practising smith in Huron County that he knows of.
Much of Jim's work is taking something old and recreating it
into something completely different from its original use. He
always has his eyes open for interesting bits of iron. He goes to
auction sales and into factories that have closed down.
Many people bring in odd pieces of iron and metal and want
hint to make something out of it. One lady brought in a grate (a
three foot square grid above a furnace outlet) and the legs from a
very old wringer washer. He put rivets from the grate to the legs
and added a supporting base, creating an attractive table for her
garden furniture.
He has replaced the rail decoration on the second floors of
balconies of old brick or stone houses, which were first
introduced in 1840.
He has made five coffee tables from cast iron pulleys formerly
used to card wool. Lucite is used for the top and it stands about
26 inches high.
Jim is working on making six lamps from two large brass
chocolate rollers for another local lady. For end tables he is using
old wooden pulleys.
Besides renovating and recreating articles. Jim uses new steel
to make articles such as fireplace sets. door knockers,
windvanes. wall hooks, coat hooks. candle holders, hinges. and
door latches. Jim explains. "I'm making something new, but I'm
using old techniques."
The "old technique" involves heating the metal in a coal fired
ift ideas
. •
Jardinieres Galore
WICKER, CERAMIC,
CLAY, PLASTIC,
DECORATIVE CLAY,
POTS, SAUCERS, ROPES,
BRACKETS, HANGING POTS
HOUSE
PLANTS
SEVERAL DIFFERENT
VARIETIES OF VIOLETS,
CHRISTMAS POINSETTIAS.
SOIL & FERTILIZERS FOR ALL
INDOOR PLANTING.
Verbeek's Farm and
Garden Centre
22 Isaac St., Clinton -482-9333
9(irs
•Ladies' Or Men's
Jewel Boxes
•Crystal
•Desk Sets
•Cameras
•Manicure Sets
•Jewellery
*Electric Razors
•Chain Bracelets
& Charms.
WILSON'S
HEALTH & GIFT CENTRE
BLYTH PHONE 523-4440
EA 57i=0Z%.Fr 3l3v"g TiR54fig AA 3tA;VA VZ5z5i 3z5i315A
Lasting ki
Efu5itiE 55 r -i ACr- ES
4 Christmas;
) s 1 r 7 r i ( r
g *TYPEWRITERS
g *CALCULATORS
M *OFFICE FURNITURE
g *FILING CABINETS
g *STATIONERY
g *PHOTO COPIERS
g *CASH REGISTERS
Presents
c.°11kar,
Huron Business
Machines
50 ALBERT ST. CLINTON
PHONE 482-7338
15a v'eFtATzAfiSliA5iTVS=ASag 31:gR5iR'%4ASFfi9TS,i3 3123 RSA;
December 1979, Village Squire 11