Jeff is a passionate blacksmith who has been honing his craft for over 52 years, having started at the young age of 11. His fascination with blacksmithing began when he witnessed a live demonstration at the age of 8, captivated by the way the blacksmith manipulated metal as if it were Play-Doh. Over the years, Jeff has accumulated three forges, which he utilizes regularly. Besides his blacksmithing endeavors, he also aids his wife in restoring old sewing machines. With a motto of “Need a tool, make a tool,” Jeff embodies resourcefulness by creating his own tools through the skills he has developed.
In his earlier career, Jeff worked at a garage door company, where he had the advantage of obtaining steel and metal at no cost. He primarily works with a hammer and an anvil to shape his creations and often jokes that blacksmithing serves as a form of anger management for him. His experience extends beyond crafting; he is also a fire expert, thanks to his time volunteering with the fire department. Jeff shares his passion by teaching blacksmithing classes open to ages 16 to 99, proving that the pursuit of new skills knows no age limit, as evidenced by his oldest student, who was 68.
