I made a thing!

Forging a hook at Desert Metal Craft

Just spent a rainy Friday evening at the forge at Desert Metal Craft in the heart of Tucson.  Instructor Sean took us through the basics of blacksmithing, from square steel to fancy decorative hook in four hours.  It’s a lot harder than it looks, and not because of any superhuman strength required.  It’s skill and experience that makes the metal go in the direction the smith wants it, and makes it look pliable as putty to the gormless onlooker. 

So anyway, I made a thing, and learned some things, including do not touch the hot thing!  Can’t wait for my next class!

This is all part of research for the fantasy novel I’m working on.  It’s a High Fantasy adventure seen through the eyes of the Commoners, with a splash of Hydropunk, plenty of family drama, dragons (of course) and maybe a capybara or two! 

Working title? [smiles mysteriously] The Blacksmith.