The Demonstrator For The
2007 SPRING MEET Was
Keith Toms
We had a fine metalsmith as our demonstrator for our Spring Meet. Jonathan has known Keith Toms for nearly 15 years and seen his work grow in mastery and creativity. He creates some truly original and intriguing forms in iron.
"Although born in Halesowen (part of the historical iron industrial area known as The Black Country), my interest in ironwork didn't begin until I met Bill Gichner at Iron Age Antiques, about 1992, where I fell in love with the craft of the Blacksmith. Bill gladly took me under his wing and gave me full use of his shop." Keith was lucky to be working in a shop that was visited by many of the best smiths in the country and a lot has rubbed off on him.
Keith has worked on large architectural commissions with Philadelphia artist Bob Philips, including a large lighting commission and several railings. A job with Vintage Metalworks gave him the opportunity to restore an early 18th century railing in Philadelphia.
He has also worked for copper artist Grant Massey, producing a variety of copper lighting and designing the jigs for their production. From Grant, Keith learned much about marketing his work through the craft show scene, and has been juried into shows managed by The American Craft Council. His work has been awarded a 1st place in the Greenwich CT Museum of Art Craft Show, and a 2nd place in the ACC Charlotte Craft Show.
Keith's demo included some of the following:
- Basic copper raising using a crimp technique and how this can be applied to hot forging of steel.
- Hot forging acanthus leaves in 3/16" steel, how this technique and the forms evolved from baroque to art deco. Examples of Edgar Brandt's scrollforms, with attention to joinery and design.
- Forging pipe, and how it can be utilized in chandelier design and railings, to reduce
weight and add volume.
- Discussion of preparation for shows (attention to good images of your work).
Photos Courtesy of DAVID CACCAMO
Keith Toms
|
 |
Keith with Tom Ryan striking |
Sample Copper vessel
|
|
Raising the sides of the vessel |
Finished vessel
|
|
Starting bowl |
Raising the sides
|
|
Rounding the sides |
Finished bowl
|
|
Letter opener |
Curved ornamental elements
|
|
Starting leaf |
Shaping the leaf
|
|
Almost finished leaf |
Rolling the stem
|
|
Keith Toms |
| 