No Walls For The Small

 
 
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I recently reconnected with a dear friend, Julie Merrill of Steel Zebra Metalworks.  She is a one of kind lady, the type of person that when you speak with her you more often than not find the conversation drifting off into another realm where the mind delves into thoughts much bigger than the human brain can handle.  It didn't surprise me at all to learn that she has begun a studying the art of blacksmithing.   In speaking with her, I began to think about how kids today don't have any real life experience when it comes to metal work.  Shop class in high school is a thing of the past, and the sad thing is that working with power tools, or in the case of blacksmithing molten metal is unbelievably empowering.  So I thought maybe I would ask Julie, the Asheville based artisan, a few questions, about her art and what lessons it may have to teach today's youth.  Enjoy!

Tell us a little bit about how you found yourself in the world of the blacksmith?
I started making chain maille jewelry in 2003, while working at a bead store.  It inspired me to take a silversmithing class.  Through silver working experience I was introduced to a blacksmithing continuing education class at our local tech college.  I took the class and was hooked.  Since then, I have attended classes and workshops at Haywood Community College, John C. Campbell Folk School, Penland School of Craft, as well as some workshops in Vermont.  Now I work for a production, artisan jeweler full time, while continuing to pursue my own work.

Blacksmithing is an ancient craft that seems to be enjoying a bit of a revival.  Why do you think it is making a comeback?
I have noticed the revival of many different craft trades, as well as earth-skill trades in recent years.  I guess that these 'handi-works' are returning due to a need for consistent, healthy and positive change in the way we as humans choose to interact with the world.  In pursuit of hand-working trades we move away from dependency on technology that may be diminishing a broader spectrum of knowledge, as well was depleting resources and human experience.  By learning to make the things we need, we establish less dependency on consumer culture and more space for knowledge, creation, and human connection.

There used to be shop class, and mechanics as part of high school curriculum...hands on classes that involve big power tools.  What do you thing youth can gain by learning these trades?
Hands-on trades are highly useful for developing problem solving skills, confidence, imagination, appreciation for resources and material goods.  I can see how "shop classes" are good preparation for potentially changing the world, gaining an understanding of how things work and how to fix them, as well as safety and self-awareness.

How can kids get involved with learning these lost arts?
To get involved in blacksmithing or metalworking you may discover that in most parts of the country there are metal workers that would be willing to share their shops and resources.  Blacksmiths more common in some areas than others, but there is a national blacksmithing organization, Artist Blacksmith Association of North America (ABANA).  There are also various craft schools around the country that offer workshops for the younger folk, as well as community college classes.

Metal work in general is a very powerful experience.  What lessons does metal work in particular have to share with today's youth?
I believe that youth today could benefit by metal work experience by developing confidence respect, humbleness, perseverance, imagination, creativity, independence, physical strength and stamina, and hand-eye coordination.  Blacksmithing is a great skill to have for job opportunity, simply to provide a service to the community at large.  Steel tools break, and folks always need tools and hardware, and insight into the workings of metal.

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Magnolia Designs 12/08/2010
 
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I still remember my kindergarten teacher.  This is probably because her name was Mrs. Shanky...which made for some terrible playground rhymes!  Kindergarten is the first experience most of us have in a structured learning environment, and we have a lot to learn from the professionals who teach the littlest students.  Michelle Poussin, artist, crafter and kindergarten teacher. She is a person who day in day out witnesses the awesome freshness of youngsters, while maintaining a thriving creative life as well.  I thought she might have a few things to teach us...enjoy!

1.Tell us a little bit about how Magnolia Designs, your Etsy.com shop, came about.
Magnolia Designs came out of an idea I have always had for a boutique shop for children.  I chose the magnolia flower because of its beauty and uniqueness.  I have always been a doodler and have sketches from back in junior high school!  I always knew I would make my own products someday and my main inspiration for that is my mother.  She is a very crafty lady, and the bug bit me at a young age. 

2.  You work with kindergartners, which is such an awesome age for human beings!  What about your students do you find the most inspiring?  
I am inspired a lot by my students.  Kids know what they like and they will be honest about it!  I love how innocent, full of life, and honest my students can be.  They are so young, yet have so much knowledge of the world around them.  Their future is what inspires me to do what I do everyday.  They are not afraid to be creative or make mistakes, which a lot of us adults could take a lesson from. I encourage them through art, dance, music, and recycling products into new ones instead of just ‘throwing everything away’ like so many people do these days.

3.  Working with younger children, in your opinion what are the most pressing obstacles that they face today?
The biggest obstacle that children face today is all of the technology available to them.  They are not challenged to be creative, play outside, TALK to people to make new friends, or just be social in general.  This generation is being brought up in a very different society than all of us were when we were children.  We have become a society of convenience and this is reflecting onto the children’s behavior.  I do my best to teach my students how to communicate through many different medias, whether that be talking to each other, painting, dancing, singing, or even playing outside. 

4.  Your creative expertise is in fashion. What role do you see the fashion industry having in shaping children today?
Fashion has a huge influence on children today.  I would say that celebrities, more than the fashion industry, play a huge role in shaping children today.  Last year all of my students dressed like Hannah Montana and it has trickled into this year too.  They want to be ‘cool’ like the kids on TV or movies that they see.  I applaud the celebrities that still dress the age that they are and who do not try to be older or ‘sexier’ than they need to be as a teenager. 

5.  As a teacher and someone who spends a lot of time with a variety of children...in Las Vegas mind you! Is there any lesson they have taught you or any advice you may have for parents that only a teacher could share?

The greatest lesson that I have learned from my students is that it is ok to laugh and laugh often.  My favorite sound is children's laughter and that can brighten up any gloomy day that I am having!

The advice that I would have for parents today would be to be just that, a parent.  They look up to you as their parent and want to be just like you!
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