Blacksmithing Alive And Well In Sapulpa

Over the years, the craft of blacksmithing has been taken over by mass production. Horseshoes and hand tools are now made in factories, not in blacksmith shops. The News On 6's Rick Wells reports a Sapulpa blacksmith has kept the craft alive, hammering out beautiful hand forged art work for your home.

Gary Gloden will hammer a piece of iron into a delicate leaf using little more than the fire, a hammer and a pair of tongs.

"Where I put it in the fire will determine how hot, too deep gets too hot. I put it kind of even with my fire," said Gloden.

Gloden is a farrier, a blacksmith, for years he traveled around shoeing horses, competing in smithing competitions; that's how he learned about blacksmithing as a creative art.

Back surgeries and a hip replacement have ended the horseshoeing; now it's all about the art. He and his wife Diane own a shop in Sapulpa, A Little Bit of Country. His work is on display and on sale there.

Intricate twists and turns, heavy iron beds and fragile looking flowers, all made the same basic way.

"Hit the iron when it's hot and have patience," said Gloden.

The forge burns coal which he has shipped in from Kentucky. Oklahoma coal has too much sulphur. He says the process is heating, re-heating and lots of hammering.

A Little Bit of Country is open in downtown Sapulpa Tuesday through Saturday.