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Shuttercraft of Madison, C t Traditional Wood Shutters

tion, and see how a master approached his craft. Jim is an artist and a craftsman. And he was really patient; by the end of the year I was doing more complex things.”

800-451-7247

Interior & Exerior Real Wood Shutters. Hard-to-find traditional Moveable Louvers all Sizes ~ full Painting family owned ~ Made in USa

203-245-2608 shuttercraft.com

When Nick returned to the U.S. and opened his grandfather’s garage, “I could recognize every tool in there” for the first time. But what really motivated him was when someone else offered to clear out his grandfather’s equipment: “That’s when I said, ‘I want your tools, I want them in our family, and I want to use them.’” Nick researched and fabricated his own forge, set up his water bucket, and started making a few little things to sell online, working out of the garage. Word of mouth, his photo on the June 2015 cover of Popular Mechanics for a story about the new generation of “makers,” and growing recognition have led to larger commissions.

Blacksmithing is all of those things that Nick described early on: an elemental synthesis of earth, air, fire, water, and noise. Sparks fly; there’s a rhythmic, timeless clanging that feels as though it bridges the ages; and metal heated up in a 1400° forge and plunged into water practically spits— you can almost hear it exhale.

800-498-7687 old-village.com

You’ll enjoy the quiet pleasures of New England on the pages of this full-color 2017 Scenes of New England wall calendar. The new larger size showcases the amazing photos by Paul Rezendes.

800-288-4284 newengland.com/2017calendar

Nick sets up a rhythm, flattening the metal against this anvil that’s like a noble, battered old boxer: “I like using my hands, turning raw materials into something you use. Back in the day, that’s what blacksmiths did. No one’s doing it because it’s lucrative but because there’s a passion and a love for it. There’s so much beauty in the process.” He hands me a sinuously curved bottle opener. “Most of my tools are older than both of us put together,” Nick smiles. “They have a life of their own … I think that’s pretty cool.”

Prices range from $7 for a bottle opener to $100+ for custom furniture to $1,000+ for a custom gate or railing. 203-873-8778; wicksforge.com; wicksforge@gmail.com

Yankee likes to mosey around and see, out of editorial curiosity, what you can turn up when you go house hunting. We have no stake in the sale whatsoever and would decline it if offered.