Megan Carter and Mike Armstrong
Megan Carter and Mike Armstrong
Artist Blacksmith, 2012
After graduating from the Artist Blacksmith program at the Haliburton School of Art + Design, Mike Armstrong and Megan Carter opened Armstrong and Carter Ironworks in Georgetown, Ont. in January 2012.
"During school, working together came naturally, finding that we had complementary skills in design and technique," said Megan. "Both of us wanted to further our blacksmithing experience after our time in Haliburton and when a suitable shop space was found, we began working together again. It is very nice to have two people working in a shop; it not only makes some jobs much easier, but it is also very helpful to have someone to bounce ideas off of."
Their work is available at the Strata Gallery (Elora, ON), Shine Gallery (Hamilton, ON), The Glen William's Gallery (Glen Williams, ON), The Artisan's Attic (Georgetown, ON), and online through the One of a Kind Online Shop.
"We have had our shop for almost three years, but of course we are still learning every day," said Megan. "Learning how to run a shop as a business, and working to become a better blacksmith is still an exciting and challenging learning curve."
Megan discovered the Haliburton School of Art + Design while looking into the glassblowing program. "I decided to attend one of the Open House events to take a tour of the facilities-- this is when I discovered the blacksmith shop. As soon as I walked into the shop, something clicked. I walked around and looked at what the students were working on and felt the learning atmosphere. I decided then and there that I would be taking the course."
Mike had experience in the modern metal working industry and enrolled in the Artist Blacksmith program because he was curious about how metal objects were made before modern machinery. "I didn't know what to expect on the first day in the shop," said Mike. "As time went on I learned there was a whole world of objects that could be made with the skills and techniques of a blacksmith."
"I learned skills that I didn't even know existed and made tools that I still use today. It was a good learning environment for me," he said. "I tried to take advantage of the studio time that was provided after class and would be at the shop most nights until 9 p.m."
Mike said the experience of having their own shop has been great and he continues to learn new things.