Forging a Keepsake

Ohio History

Imprinting a Design

Well, now that you've heard all about the forging process, how would you like to watch me make something? I'm serious! Although a bit simpler process, for a very small fee visitors could make their own molded aluminum artwork. First, I chose a picture from a number of metal templates (dies, I suppose they would be called). I took a piece of thin aluminum, almost like foil but thicker, and taped it down on top. It sure took a lot of pounding with the hammer to get the picture imprinted onto the aluminum! The harder I pounded, the sharper the design became. I think it came out very nice! There were even mats available to display the finished picture. What do you think?

Barn-Raising