Tuesday 26 December 2017

We're Designing A New Website!



Seasons Greetings from Pike Lake Forge! Having holiday hours away from our day-to-day jobs, Pike Lake Forge is in the process of building ourselves a new website!! Stay tuned for a launch date, and in the meantime, we would appreciate input from you.

As you are likely already aware, building a lifestyle business in NW Ontario takes much time and resources, one key resource being finances. And blacksmithing in particular, is a costly art form to pursue. We are considering including a "donate now" button on our future website. 

Would you, or your loved ones, be interested in supporting Pike Lake Forge through monetary donations? Your response to this Facebook poll will help shape our website design, and we Thank You for your time.

All proceeds would go towards a variety of areas including:

-Building Our Studio
Continually, we aim to improve the quality of our workspace to ensure it is safe, highly functional, and warm to work in.

- Learning & Sharing
We need to adapt our space to accommodate a growing number of learners, which involves building multiple forging areas. We often host Guild of Northwestern Ontario Metalsmith meetings, we aim to host classes & invite the community for seasonal demonstrations, and many individuals have also shown interest in renting space.

-Cultivating Knowledge
Whenever possible, we travel to conferences and classes, which grows our skills and networks greatly. Knowledge obtained is carried with us, right back here to NW Ontario, and shared with fellow guild members.

- Help keep our fire burning!
Your donations help cover monthly costs such as consumables like coal and tool steel, sustaining a website and our insurance coverage.

-Exploration
In time, hopefully funds from patrons and generous donors like you will free up our time from our day jobs, allowing us to explore our medium.

Imagine a day when Krev will no longer have to take on Saturday shifts as a custodian… You can help this dream become reality!

Please, do not hesitate to share this poll.

Tuesday 24 October 2017

Join PLF at Artisans Northwest!


We are thrilled to be part of Artisans Northwest again this year, and are busy forging some new creations! 

You can find Artisans on Facebook, and follow our page at Etsy Shop for a sneak peak at what we'll have to offer. 

Artisans Northwest 2017
Valhalla Inn

November 11, 10am - 5pm
November 12, 10am - 4pm

Hope to see you there!

Wednesday 27 September 2017

40th Quadstate Round-Up

We had the opportunity to travel to Ohio for SOFA's 40th Quadstate Round-Up.

Here are some pictures to capture a snapshot of the event. 

We primarily watched Joe Bonifas (contemporary) and Michael Bendele (repousse) and were happy to return home with some knowledge and inspiration along with a couple of great books!






























Thursday 13 July 2017

Family Day at Founders'


Krev will be demonstrating forging nails with Will at Founders' Museum this Saturday afternoon! 

More details can be found on their Facebook Event Page: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1883082081945462&id=1499841780269496

Wednesday 5 April 2017

We've updated our ETSY page!



Forged Bottle Openers by Kristen "Kriev" Krievin of Pike Lake Forge.

Gothic Key Fob by Kristen  forged from mild steel by "Kriev" Krievin of Pike Lake Forge.


Wednesday 15 March 2017

2017 in Review

Some highlights at Pike Lake from 2017:



















Beautiful quote by Krev along with his touchmark.



Annual Waterfront Art Sale 

Raffle prize Krev generously donated to the Thunder Bay Art Gallery's Annual Art Auction.


Will, Krev works with him in the Smithy twice a week. He is a living, breathing Power Hammer. 

Thunder Giant Metalsmith Guild set up at Hymer's Fall Fair.

Adventures on Raspberry Island with Tom Latane and Friends at Sandy Lake Forge.

Tom helping Carol forge her wrought iron hammer.



Carol practicing her copper inlay pattern for the wrought iron hammer.



Thanks to the Ontario Arts Council for supporting Carol's "Clay Smithing" sessions in the local schools. If you're interested, contact us and we'd be happy to share our knowledge with students!






Krev forged a Hoe in a class with Jeffery Funk.