HI! I'M JEFF
MCDOWELL

BLACKSMITH & IRON ARTISAN

Traditional Blacksmith specializing in hardware,
railing and sculpture with a strong background in
metal fabrication and welding.

SERVICES

...include portable welding, cutting, and shop repairs of farm equipment.
Call 828-385-3732 to discuss your project.

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Early On...

I grew up in N.W. Ohio. My mother’s side of the family is from S.W. Virginia and when I visited I instantly fell in love with the mountains and rivers. We traveled to the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games every year when I was in high school.

Love of Metalworking

I ended up in E. Tennessee with my future brother-in-law at 19 years old. We were both hired at Valley Equipment Fabrication shop for 10 years. This is where my love for metalworking came from.

Intro to Blacksmithing

From there I went to CSX Rail Road car repair shop in Erwin. I met my wife Starli Phillips, a Mitchell County native, who introduced me to Bea Hensley and the Blacksmith Craft. I took classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School. Elmer Rousch was my first instructor and he was great, a real traditionalist.

Moved to the Area

I went to the ABANA conference in Asheville and it was such an experience for me. The forge I currently use was purchased there. CSX furloughed in 2001 so my wife and I moved to Green Mountain N.C.

The Artist Community

The artist community in this area is unbelievable. I’ve made a lot of friends at Penland and through the Toe River Arts Council and have participated in the annual Fire on the Mountain Blacksmith Festival for 10 years. I have just built a new shop off hanging rock in Spruce Pine and am available for portable or in shop work.
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"Jeff is a highly skilled blacksmith and craftsperson who makes beautiful work. But even more than that he is one of the kindest, most generous and conscientious people you will ever meet. I don’t think there’s anything he can’t do."

Send us Your Feedback

Please feel free to contact me for any reason. I'll try to respond as quickly as I can, usually within 24 to 48 hours, but circumstances may change that. If you have not heard back from me within a reasonable amount of time, pick up the phone and give me a call. Thanks!
ADDRESS

Toe River Forge
207 Jim Wiseman Lane
Spruce Pine, NC 28777
PHONE

828-385-3732
828-385-2688

MAIL     starlimcdowell@gmail.com

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