Welcome to the Blacksmith Shop of Walter Howell.
home and business. Walter repairs antique pieces and provides welding services as well as custom forged designs on most any needed ironwork. Walter forges custom strapping for exposed beams and has a quality line of fireplace tools and hardware for the hearth and fire pits. He forges commissioned sculptures with a particular passion for trees and plants. Walter also offers workshops and private classes for those who are interested in learning. And we have coke, coal and forges for sell. Information is available throughout our site. Please call or e-mail us for with questions or come by and see Walter at his shop in Henagar, Alabama or visit us at The Forge Gallery in Mentone, Alabama. |
| Call us at (256) 254-8469 E-mail us at rhonda@waltersforge.com Write us at PO BOX 413 Mentone, Al. 35984 |
Walter began working with iron, first creating pieces made of antique iron
we "inherited" when we purchased an old dairy farm in north Ga. Visitors to
the farm began to ask for pieces and an invitation to a local show became the
beginning of Walter's Forge. One piece led to another and our line of iron
products for home and business began to grow.
His love of the craft has taken us places and introduced us to people that
have become true blessings in our lives. There is something about handwork
that satisfies the soul. That feeling is reflected in the quality and care taken
with each piece. We feel that the purchase of an iron piece is an investment
in the future. The durability of iron means a lifetime of use and enjoyment.
Walter works hard to ensure that every piece of ironwork that leaves his
shop is of heirloom quality.
We found out quickly that there was a lot of interest out there for a variety
of reasons. For some people it is the craft itself. For others it is the treasury of
memories brought about by the smell of the smoke and the sounds of the
blower and the anvil. Walter has opened his shop to these people and
welcomed them to come and spend some time watching and learning. We
have groups of school children who come, which is great fun for us.
We began construction this year on a "new" shop. Walter is rebuilding a
timber frame structure over 100 years old that he purchased from Donnie
James of James and Company in Lebanon, Alabama. It is impressive and is
the fulfilment of yet another dream along this path that his gift of
blacksmithing has given us. Be sure and visit the pages titled Walter's Forge
and The gallery to see the progress of we are making. We can design and
make your piece just the size you need. And you have the rare opportunity
to get something that is exactly what you want, does exactly what you need
it to and have a part in the design of the piece. In the end you have a truly
original piece of work that represents a spirit of American Craftsmanship
that is in danger of being lost to faster, quicker and cheaper.
| Along The way Walter has had some accomplishments that we are proud of. **studied under Master Blacksmith Susan Madasi - 2006 **award of excellence - Hamilton Co. 2005 **award winner - art on the lake, fine arts exhibit - 2008 **award winner - new salem arts festival - 2008 **member of the Mentone Area Arts council **demonstrating blacksmith for the Big Wills arts council and the Scottsboro Heritage Foundation **featured artists in the November 2008 edition of the Tidewater Blacksmiths Guild Magazine **demonstrating artist at the Jacksonville State Little River Canyon Center **featured artist in the June issue of The Look Out View Magazine **featured artist in the December issue of "Connected" magazine **May 2010 Opening of The forge Gallery in Mentone, Alabama showcasing Walters work along with many other fine artist. **Fall 2010 Walter was included in the book "American Blacksmiths" along with 50 others. **January 2011 The Forge Gallery expanded and moved to Scenic Drive in Mentone representing some of the finest artist in the area. **Walter participated in a feature film for The Little River Canyon Center, funded by NASA, and was over a year in the making. The production can be seen daily on the state of the art, HD facility at the Canyon Center. **Fall of 2011 Walter began working with Narrowgate Foundation. Their outstanding character and leadership in Christ program uses forging, leather work and wood working as tools to help young men gain confidence and understanding. |
| Walter's Forge |
