Hand forged ironwork; decorative, functional and traditionally crafted in Massachusetts, USA.
For millennia, blacksmiths served a vital role in almost every community around the world. The iron age gave birth to a new kind of essential craftsperson; tasked with making things like tools, cooking implements, hardware for building houses, weapons and eventually the first automobiles. Today, blacksmiths serve their purpose as skilled artists and teachers, passing the art of working with iron to the next generation one person at a time.
My Mission:
Keeping tradition alive is of utmost importance to me. Making pieces along the way that will be used, cherished and passed down to future generations for many years to come is just one of the perks. I take the history of my craft very seriously and in a world where few seem to find interest in the techniques/technologies of yesterday, it is important for me to help keep the old ways of my craft alive. And so, I am invested in learning about an unforgiving period of time where the conservation of materials and demand for functionality created a style of craftsmanship that has its own indisputable beauty.
~Nick Riolo