{"id":910,"date":"2012-12-17T18:20:49","date_gmt":"2012-12-17T18:20:49","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/userblogs.ganoksin.com\/metalwerx\/?p=910"},"modified":"2012-12-17T20:01:00","modified_gmt":"2012-12-17T20:01:00","slug":"studio-visit-jeff-herman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/userblogs.ganoksin.com\/metalwerx\/2012\/12\/17\/studio-visit-jeff-herman\/","title":{"rendered":"Studio Visit: Jeff Herman"},"content":{"rendered":"

What a week!\u00a0 Cynthia Eid and I went to visit Jeff Herman<\/a> down in Rhode Island on Tuesday of last week.\u00a0 I knew I was getting an opportunity to see an incredible studio…but I hadn\u2019t realized quite how amazing my day was going to be.<\/p>\n

I know Jeff as the \u2018go-to-guy\u2019 for tough technical questions and metalworking resources\u2014not a big surprise, considering he\u2019s the founder of the Society of American Silversmiths<\/a>.\u00a0 I frequently peruse the SAS website to find out about safety, resources and other tips.<\/p>\n

We pulled up to Jeff\u2019s home studio and were quickly greeted by Sassy, an enthusiastic 12 year old pit bull\/border collie mix.\u00a0 Jeff was even more welcoming as he led us into his workspace ready to share tips, insights, interesting metalsmithing stories and a piece of Harold Schremmer<\/a>\u2019s legacy.<\/p>\n

$\"1-Sassy\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

Jeff\u2019s primary work focuses on repair and restoration.\u00a0 The first room we came upon contained storage for ornate and beautifully crafted (now slightly damaged) sterling vessels, teapots, match cases, flatware, candlesticks, etc.\u00a0 To be honest, repairs are scary to me and I was in awe at Jeff\u2019s ability to restore these works to their original beauty\u2026.Ok, awe is an understatement.\u00a0 I was shaking in my shoes thinking of hammering on historical vessels that have been handed down from generation to generation.<\/p>\n

After getting the low down on restoration, Jeff led us into the studio to check out his work space and some of his own art.\u00a0 The contemporary, perfectly polished and nicely weighted spoon pictured here is the first piece in North America made from Argentium!<\/p>\n

$\"2-AS-Spoon\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

As the tour continued, we got to try using Jeff’s coveted PUK welder<\/a>.\u00a0 Here, he\u2019s showing Cindy some of its advantages:\u00a0 No solder, no flux, no pickling — and the heat that is generated is so localized, insulated gloves aren’t required when holding the piece you’re working on!\u00a0 You\u2019re only a few sparks away from welding a perfect joint.\u00a0 What a dream machine!<\/p>\n

$\"3-Puk-Welder\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

And the innovations don\u2019t stop there.\u00a0 From corner to corner and top to bottom, every nook, cranny, and tool was modified and perfected for a specific need. Don\u2019t you hate when it\u2019s hard to open your acetylene tank with that little UN-ergonomic tank wrench?\u00a0 Check out this adaptation using a file handle!<\/p>\n

$\"4-Church-key-adaptation\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

Take a closer look\u2026the guard for this metal lathe is attached to an old arm for a desk lamp.\u00a0 You can adjust it to the perfect angle for the job — Genius!<\/p>\n

$\"5-lamp-arm-face-plate\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

Lots of things can be a used for forming if you give it the right finish\u2014check out this highly polished wrench stake!<\/p>\n

$\"wrench-turned-stake\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

And, we couldn\u2019t help noticing that Jeff\u2019s got a great rack\u2026shoe rack turned hammer stand, that is.\u00a0 We got inspired and are building a few of these for the Metalwerx studio too!<\/p>\n

$\"Hammer-Shoe-Rack\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

Sometimes, I don\u2019t know if I like the tools more than the metalwork or the metalwork more than the tools\u2026If these stakes were edible, they would be delicious.<\/p>\n

$\"Stakes\"$ <\/a><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a picture of Cindy and Jeff in hammering heaven.<\/p>\n

$\"Jeff$ <\/a><\/p>\n

I mentioned Harold Schremmer earlier. He is an important part of Jeff\u2019s metalsmithing family tree.\u00a0 Throughout the day, Jeff spoke warmly to us about his mentor and showed pictures of Hal\u2019s work.\u00a0 My favorite image (pictured here) is from the 60\u2019s, where a young, handsome Hal is holding a Bishop’s crozier and standing behind a sterling monstrance and chalice he designed & created.\u00a0 I drooled over other pictures of wood and silver letter boxes where every crevice and edge was carefully considered.\u00a0 From intricate granulation to larger formed sculptures, Hal was certainly a renaissance man of metalsmithing.<\/p>\n

$\"Hal$ <\/a><\/p>\n

We were saddened to hear that Hal’s health has prevented him from working much over the last decade. Recently, he gave most of his tools to Jeff, trusting him to either use them well, or find them good homes.\u00a0 Cindy and I are incredibly honored that Jeff decided to donate these hammers to our studio.<\/p>\n

After looking at Hal\u2019s artwork, the hammers he enjoyed for so many decades have a greater meaning and history to appreciate.\u00a0 I believe Hal\u2019s spirit is embedded in his tools and as we use them, his \u2018metalworking family tree\u2019 will bear new fruit.\u00a0 Hal\u2019s legacy will live on as these hammers will be used to create new works that will be treasured and passed down from generation to generation…and hopefully not have to be taken in for repair like some of the historical pieces we saw upon entering.<\/p>\n

$\"Thank$ <\/a><\/p>\n

A solid gold thanks goes out to Jeff and Hal for thinking of our community and bestowing upon us such a special gift that will be cherished for so many years to come.<\/p>\n

–By Lindsay Minihan<\/p>\n

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