Village Squire, 1979-12, Page 17Jim holds a dutch crown he made, formerly used to hang shanks
of meat to smoke. Today it is for hanging kitchen utensils. In his
other hand is a windvane. --Photo by Laura Drummond.
He makes things how you want it. He explains, "When you come
into my shop and ask for a fireplace set. 1 don't haul a set out and
say it costs $75. We talk about design. What kind of handle do
you want on the poker --a rat tail, a ball or a leaf? How long do
you want the poker? How many feet do you want on the stand?
"Between the two of us we decide on the design. If it's going
to be too expensive or doesn't fit with the decor of the house, we
work it out."
The prices are flexible in that you can order something plain or
fancy. For example he makes dutch crowns which were used to
hang shanks of meat for smoking, but are used today to hang
pots and pans and kitchen utensils on. The price can vary from
$50 to $90 depending on detail work. The more expensive one
took him one and a half days to make.
Jim says he can make things very fancy, but people like it
more modern looking with bold clear designs and less intricate.
Jim is not an old blacksmith near retirement. He is just the
opposite. How did he get interested in smithing, an art which has
declined so much in recent years? His father, who was a doctor,
did it as a hobby. He says he finds it challenging and he likes
working for himself. He can spend as much time at it as he
wants.
Jim's father taught him design and proportion. He spent two
years in the Maritimes learning the trade with two blacksmiths.
There he learned what shapes sold. He brought much of his
equipment to Benmiller from the east.
The shop is going through changes. He plans to build a brick
forge to reduce the smoke. He is adding an office section too.
In the winter he makes many fireplace tools. The summertime
is more lamps and gates. Christmas is a busy time making gift
items. Among other gifts for Christmas, he sells wall sconces
and candle holders. One type of candle holder he makes is
traditionally for a boat because it moves with the rock of the boat.
Half of Jim's business is local --within 50 miles. The other half
is from Toronto. He supplies some stores there. One of them is
the Fireplace Shop. He sells at some craft sales.
When you walk into Jim's shop, you smell coal in 'the air.
Started and finished projects meet your eye. He describes it as
"a collector's dream, or a housewife's nightmare."
Hay rakes wait to be forged into lamps. Wooden pulleys sit in
a corner soon to be coffee tables. Piles of steel stand ready to be
made intc dutch crowns.
Jim is a young man carrying on an old tradition.
Vii° o�7ge Samos Suit d -.'
on Furniture
'OVER 150 CHAIRS
INCLUDING
RECLINERS -- SWIVEL ROCKERS -- TUB
40
CHESTERFIELDS 4
ON DISPLAY -- FOR A GOOD CHOICE
GOOD SELECTION OF
CEDAR CHESTS
<ti% PRICED LOW
ZILLIAX
Furniture & Appliances
LISTOWEL
. N. Ph
Wallace se one 291-1461
\ �fflRfl-p(eoiIn9tl �TIES OR/
SHIRTS
SLACKS
BLAZERS
SWEATERS
SPORTCOATS
GLOVES -SCARVES
PYJAMAS -HOSIERY
1
1
Gift Boxes - Gift Certificates
Herman's
Men's Wear
32 Alpert St., Clinton 482-9351
XligAV
December 1979, Village Squire 15