View From the Forge
January - February  2001        

January’s Featured Product! New Products Mark your Calendars! History of Blacksmithing – Part I

Badger Village launches new business opportunity centered around the in-home sales of select ironwork.    Click here to read more

January’s Featured Product

  Basket Weave Table Lamp

Create a softly lit atmosphere with the classic basket twist lamp. Its softly rounded design, completely hand-forged, gives humble warmth to any room.  This beautiful lamp was designed to offer a simple elegance with the quality craftsmanship of beautifully forged ironwork.  The basket twist is completely hand forged with no welds and a clean, smooth design.

The Table Lamp stands at: 2' 4-1/2" H with an 8" footprint.   Cord Length: 52" Wattage: 200 watt maximum. Harp: 8"

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 New Products 

Accent in Stone

The “Accent in Stone” features unique, one-of-kind, artistic wall decoration.  Meant to be hung on the wall, the Wild Vine Hook holds in its grasp a piece of marble or granite.  Each “Accent in Stone” is unique in that no piece is exactly the same.  The stone is drawn randomly from a quarry and prepared properly for display.  No color, shape, or size is equal.  The Wild Vine Hook varies slightly from piece to piece with its organic vine tendrils that embrace the stone.  A fun gift for someone or perfect for your own home … and though you cannot specify stone color, you can be sure that it will be a beautiful piece of individuality to grace your home!  Check it out in the Home Decor section.

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Mark Your Calendars 

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History of Blacksmithing – Part I

  Little is recorded of the early blacksmith; few pieces of his work remain intact and unmarred by the punishments of time.  In the earliest annals of history, iron first surfaces in Egypt and Mesopotamia.  Iron was rumored to be a source of magic fallen from the heavens and it was considered a jewel.  As time progressed and the abundance of natural iron became more apparent, these early civilizations began to lose their fascination with the magical powers and wealth of the iron jewel.  Iron evolved into its more practical role of aiding man in his physical labor. 

 By the sixth century B.C., man had refined the processing of iron.  The role of man and iron was evolving into a relationship that would become the blacksmithing trade. In early Rome, iron played a critical role as they forged tools to aid in various crafts and trades.  They learned to create weaponry and armor that aided Rome in its rise to power.

 But, it is during the “Romantic Years” where blacksmithing became a revered trade of craftsmanship.  Though a tradesman by name, many blacksmiths rose above and beyond creating the practical to creating works of art that adorned the castles and mansions of lords and ladies, bishops and royalty.  Today, one can still admire their works throughout Europe. From Spain, Germany, and Italy to England and France, each piece of ironwork can be identified by specific designs reflecting the tradition and style of its homeland.  Though the blacksmith of that day could craft tools and utensils, it was common for them to forge candelabras and detailed iron stair rails or balcony rails.  Sculptures were also custom designed and forged for the décor of the customer’s home.  To keep the home secured, it was common for gates of great height and width to be hand forged and installed.  Iron creations were designed to accent the richness and the wealth of the owner in a time where the blacksmith left his mark … a mark that has survived for centuries to the delight and amazement of artisans and layman alike. 

…Part II coming March 2001…

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 Next Month

• New Product
• History of Blacksmithing – Part II
• Crickets
• February’s Featured Product