My name is Leslie Tharp and I am the artist behind all the lovely things you see in my Etsy Shop.

I have dabbled in the visual arts ever since I was a young girl. Little did I know my interests in sketching, drawing, painting, molding, carving, and building would lead me down a path to falling madly in love with metal and fire!

I work with both traditional blacksmithing techniques as well as modern plasma cutting and welding techniques to create all sorts of things, large and small. I find that when the steel is hot it acts almost like clay, but in seconds is rigid and strong. The ability to maneuver and manipulate such a strong material really captured my attention the first time I built a sculpture large enough to climb, and within minutes of welding it together I climbed to the top!

Sipping a cup of coffee on a cool morning while tapping out ideas on the anvil has become my favorite way to spend time in my shop. The rhythm of the hammer seems to mimic my own heartbeat some days, and I watch my imagination unfold in front of me.

I love creating unique items that may be small enough to hold in your hands, hang on your wall, or large enough to climb and explore with your whole body. I work to make art that can be seen and engaged with by everyone. This philosophy drives my public art practice and unites my vision as an Etsy Seller.

The items you find in my shop are made one at a time, most often with the simplest of tools- a forge and anvil. My products and methods are pure and simple, and I stand behind the durability of everything I make. I hope you enjoy my products as much as I've enjoyed making them.

To see more of the large sculptures I build, please visit LeslieTharp.com
Follow me on Instagram @LeslieTharpDesigns to see new pieces developing and soon to arrive in my Etsy Shop.