A native of Anaconda, Montana, Paul is a full-time artist-blacksmith who has been working with metal since 1978. He is owner/operator of the Ironwood Forge in Brasstown, NC and has experience in many different types of projects from architectural to functional to artistic. Paul has attended, assisted and taught many classes at the JCC Folk School and contributed to campus projects during the annual Blacksmith Work Week. His mission as an instructor is to teach good basic smithing techniques and habits early to ensure a good experience for each student.  

Paul discovered the Folk School in 1999, when he took his first Blacksmithing class, A Blacksmithing Sampler, taught by Doug Merkel. He began assisting in the shop in 2003 and served as the school’s Resident Artist from 2004 to 2021.  In 2009, Paul took a study trip to Europe, where he and teammate Matt Jenkins received an Honorable Mention in the World Forging Championship in Stia, Italy.  

View Paul’s Craft Shop Items