[TheForge] question for part-timers & hobbyists

Sat Mar 1 10:18:00 2003

On Friday, February 28, 2003, at 10:50 AM, Fiorini & Skiles wrote:

> I've got questions for those of you who are part-time blacksmiths 
> (have a
> full time job at home or out of home) or hobbyist blacksmiths.  FYI- I
> consider myself part time because I work part time as mother and 
> household
> manager.
>
> Back to the questions.
> What are your personal goals for blacksmithing?
>

I don't necessarily "choose" to work metal. It is something like a need.
And while I'm doing it I am solving challenges, shaping raw material 
into something
beautiful, hopefully, and supporting my habit.......tools!!!

> Are you more interested in technical skills, design skills, or equally
> devoted to both?
>

Equal

> Do you like to do projects or make up your own, or both?
>

BOTH! Working on projects lets someone else stimulate ideas when I am 
blank

> How much time per week, or month do you set aside for your 
> blacksmithing?
>
Something like 10 to 20 hours depending on the REST of life.
I also teach evenings at UC, in addition to my day job, and I take an 
occasional class.

> How much time do you set aside for studying blacksmithing in other 
> ways,
> through book research or your own sketching?
>
I spend a lot of time sketching ideas. I regret that I do not have the 
patience to book study.
I tend to learn it better by doing it

> Do you set yourself certain goals in the shop?- for example, maybe in 
> June,
> you are going to work strictly on collars, or in August, you are going 
> to
> work on perfecting scroll designs.
>
I work on whatever there seems to be to do once I get into the shop.

> If you don't like to work with a goal system- then how do you decide 
> what to
> work on ?
>

Like I said, whatever there seems to be to work on, or if something has 
inspired me

> What motivates you?
>

Getting projects done while learning new concepts, techniques, etc.

> Do you have anything else to add that I didn't think about asking?
>

I still take on projects that do not necessarily turn me on or teach me 
anything new, but PAY WELL.
That way I can afford more tools, rent on the shop, more material, etc. 
etc.

> I'll answer it too, but I don't want it to be about me right away.  
> I'd like
> to see a cross section of responses from all of the part timers and
> hobbyists.
> -Kirsten
> [email protected]
> http://hosting.acegroup.cc/~koka/
> http://www.mnartists.org/?loc_name=viewartistfeature&artistid=2713
>
>
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