Thomas Kerin

Dublin
Hobbyist
General Blacksmith, Coppersmith, Silversmith, Jeweller, Smelter

I am Thomas, I am 33. I got into forging during COVID after I was let go from a job and looking for new creative outlets in my life. Before I had done metalwork for the junior cert but that was it. My brother bought a small devilforge forge to try. We set up at my in-laws house as I am based in the city center, and I quickly became hooked. As winter came around and other things come up in life it was hard to keep it up, so I looked for other ways to keep in touch with metal crafts

I started following some metalsmithing courses on YouTube, and realized it was the perfect hobby to do at home. I melt and pour metals in the kitchen, have an anvil in the sitting room for forging, and in my office, I do most of the marking/layout/sawing/filing. Thankfully my partner is supportive!

Over time I started to come up with my own projects, designs, and milestones. I've enjoyed coming at the metalwork craft from all angles, making once offs of all different kinds. Lately I've probably been leaning into the jewellery side of things a lot, but have picked up silver smithing to bridge the gap a bit. And I've a place to setup forging in Kells now, where I can make all the noise I want, so that's coming back a bit now

I've made a few things I am proud of:
- weddings bands for my partner and I - I get to wear and treasure mine every day
- my needed a ring holder necklace, so I made a wishbone style pendant
- made a pentacle pendant
- made a chonky silver bracelet (wire drawing practice)

I am looking forward to meeting others in the space, as I feel learning and discovering the crafts will happen much faster that way. Also, it's way more fun!

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