I grew up in rural Wisconsin with two milk goats, a milk cow and a brother in an underground house. I worked on dairy farms for most of my life and five years ago decided to pursue a career as a wildland firefighter. I saw a blacksmith doing a demonstration at an antique tractor show and decided it was a craft that I wanted to learn. During the off season I took classes from a local blacksmith in my guild, Badger Blacksmiths and self taught the skills that I have today. I have always wanted to start a business to share the craft with others and fill a void in the market for quality, hand forged goods that are made locally. In the fall of 2013, I opened my Etsy shop and put inventory into two local stores in Western Wisconsin.