BLACKSMITHING ALCHEMY - THE TRANSFORMATION OF MAN AND METAL
Channel: Just A Moment by Monika Altmann
Date: 2020-05-02

Blacksmithing creations by: Tom Miller, 
The Blacksmith – Metal As Anything
NEWBRIDGE  NSW  AUSTRALIA

HOW DID I GET STARTED AS A BLACKSMITH? 
Prior to blacksmithing, I was a bricklayer/blocklayer and had built many homes over the years. During 2011, at 49 years old, I was transitioning out of that field and had time for a new hobby. I was initially inspired by the work of a self-taught blacksmith, who used his tiny garden shed in the corner of his backyard as a smithy. He suggested I did not need to do a course - “you can just teach yourself.” Hmmm…he was really good and I wasn’t that confident about how to go about it, so I completed a weekend “Introduction to Blacksmithing” course at Orange TAFE, NSW (Australia). It was brilliant; I learned a lot and made a number of new, life-long friendships as a result of that course. 
Soon after, I went on to complete a three-year Certificate III in Engineering – Fabrication (Blacksmithing) at Richmond TAFE, NSW. I subsequently opened my own business and gallery, and now work mostly full-time as a blacksmith. As well as traditional blacksmithing, general fabrication, repairs and restoration, I also recycle and repurpose scrap metal to create abstract items for the home and garden. This is a great way for the family to be involved and get creative together. 
If you feel the call to bend hot metal, don’t hesitate. It is satisfying and rewarding beyond words, and will give you meaningful purpose in life until you can no longer lift a hammer. After a lot of repetition to hone techniques, recreating what you see in books and on the Internet, you will eventually find your niche and your own personal style and creativity will emerge. The alchemy of blacksmithing is a wonderful thing for man and metal. All the best on your journey. 

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