Local blacksmith hammers out custom ironwork
It's the custom touches that turn a beautiful house into a spectacular home. For two years now, artisan blacksmith Samuel Welch has been making unique, ornamental and architectural ironwork for homes and businesses in the Flathead Valley.
Whether it’s furniture or home décor, including mirrors, wine cellar doors, door hardware, railings or fireplace doors, Welch’s work takes custom details to the next level.
His work is all hand-forged in his one-man shop and each piece is one of a kind. While most of his work is forged steel, he also works in bronze, aluminum and stainless steel, depending on the job.
“This kind of work is not only still being done, but it's all handmade right here in the valley,” Welch said. “I start with raw steel and everything is hammered right in my shop.”
“There are very few people doing the kind of work I do,” he added. “Whether it is a simple fabricated railing or if it's a really intricate forged piece, either way, how I really try to set myself apart is the finest fit and finish possible.”
That attention to detail is evident in Welch’s work. His work features clean lines and seamless joints while maintaining a sense of fluidity and even whimsy.
“I’m definitely in love with traditional joinery, so things like forging tenons, attaching pieces of metal together without the use of a welder, and doing it the same way they did it hundreds of years ago,” he said. “My background in the architectural ironwork and the sculptural work is the artist coming out in me. I really enjoy the unique stuff.”
One of his favorite projects to date is a commissioned piece — a giant, aluminum wasp, complete with a 5-foot wingspan.
“That was actually the project that got my shop started here,” he said. “[It] allowed me to get my studio going here in the valley.”
It may be expected that Welch, a trained blacksmith with over 15 years of experience, would incorporate sculptural work with architectural works. What's more unique is that he is also a skilled woodworker and makes pieces that showcase his talent with both metal and wood.
“I’m very much trying to incorporate more of the mixed media, doing the woodwork and custom furniture with the hand-forged iron. That's probably one of the most unique things that I do,” Welch said. “Generally, you’ll find people who do one or the other. For me to do both and have control over that full piece of furniture with both the fine woodwork and the custom ironwork is something really unique.”
Welch works directly with customers and is often employed by builders, architects and interior designers. He creates drawings, both by hand and via computer software, for a client once he has learned their likes and preferences. Then, he likes to visit the home, especially if the work is to be installed.
“I like to take design elements of the home and design to complement the architectural [features of the home],” he said. “I try to provide a very personalized experience. I like to get to know the people, get to know their style, get to know their home and really make every single piece unique.”
He is a craftsman who enjoys his trade. He said the idea of swinging a hammer and creating this type of artwork is cool and he’s happy to provide people with pieces of art that nobody else has.
“I like the diversity of projects. I really enjoy it all,” he said. “I’m passionate about this work.”
To see videos of the process, visit Welch’s YouTube channel: Samuel J. Welch - Artisan Blacksmith. To contact Welch and see more of his work, visit: www.whitefishcustomiron.com.
Welch's hand-forged fireplace doors. (Photo provided)
A custom stair railing by Welch. (Photo provided)
Welch combines architectural and sculptural elements in his unique artwork. (Photo provided)