Introducing our new collection of work. We [Ben & Kate] teamed up with our brother-in-law, Matt Jacobs, to create a new collection featuring recycled farm steel and reclaimed wood [barn beams rescued from a local barn]. Matt is a 2^nd generation woodworker and currently an Architecture student at Rhode Island School of Design.

Our new work is a natural extension of who we are- a family rich with creative talent, design instincts and building skill.  It is also a natural extension of our passion for farming. Pairing reclaimed barn beams with recycled farm steel is a fitting way to honor agriculture.

Hop on over to Gatski Metal to check out our new metal sculptures!

1. Barn Loft Table

2. Barn Beam Console Table

3. Beam & Steel End Table

4. Metal & Magnet Strips

5. Circle Table

Ben, our brother-in-law, Matt [shown above] and I are in the process of working to bring you new sculptures for Gatski Metal, furniture and handmade gifts for The Steel Fork shop and our Etsy shop. We give ourselves about 2 weeks to do the following (for each and every new piece)…

1. Brainstorm Design
2. Discuss
3. Attempt Design
4. Discuss
5. Revise Design
6. Discuss
7. Attempt New Direction for Design
8. Discuss
9. Revise Again
10. Wrap it Up

As you might imagine, it can be a very arduous process. It is exciting and excruciating at the same time. We undergo this 3 times each year- in earnest attempt to keep things fresh!

This time around- we are lucky to have Matt, a current Rhode Island School of Design student in architecture helping us out. He comes from a long line of handy people. He is particularly skilled at housebuilding and woodworking.

Next week we will be introducing our fabulous new line up of work [inspired in part by industrial designs]- make sure you’re signed up for our newsletter to get the first look!

* a few more snapshots of works & workers in process

I had a little goal to write a story for Etsy’s blog, The Storque. It happened. What a fun endeavor. The original story was written about the, “making of a tractor hood table.” I took over 400 photos [I am not a photographer] to come up with what you see below. I tweaked the story a bit [to make it more appealing to a wider audience]- but I thought I would share with you the original snapshots.

1. a tractor hood from Allis Chalmers 180
2. measuring hood to determine height of table
3. the metal is dirty, dented, faded and worn from youth & employees behind the wheel of the tractor
4. the recycled pipe that supports the top of the table is cut with a hacksaw
5. the tractor hood is cut to size with a plasma cutter
6. a piece of flat sheet steel is welded to the bottom
7. smoke pours out of the hole where the radiator would have been
8. a piece of new American made 10 guage steel was welded to form the top and the edges are ground smooth with a hand held grinder
9. the final step is to weld the bottom and the top of the table together

You can also find “signs of a new farmer” in the world of handmade design.  If you sift thru imagery of the decrepit farm and the “cutesy”- you will find a new design emerging – one that celebrates the vitality and beauty of the new farm.

I scouted Etsy for some fresh new farm design. Here is what I found…

grow your garden by sushipot

somewhere in essex county by underabluesky

handprinted orange hen pillow cover by strandredesign

reclaimed american chestnut farm table by newmoonsalvage

fall 2010 CSA farm share by callwool

Vinyl Wall Decal by CirclelineStudio

I was immediately pulled in by the photography of Jonathan Levitt.  I was griped equally by their power and beauty.  Its worth noting his educational background in journalism, sustainable agriculture and gastronomy.  Enjoy.

All photos by Jonathan Levitt.

Over at Gatski Metal we are fond of our little saying, “We use simple hand tools to honor the enduring traditions of art and agriculture.“  There is something profound about the role of agriculture in art.

For us, it’s an instinct thing- not an intellectual thing. Yes! I love that. By golly- it’s a farm. Not to be too simplistic- but therein is the beauty of farming, food and art. Oh so simple and yet full of story, flavor and beauty.

In my recent forays into the handmade bounty online- I discovered the work of Dolan Geiman- [fantastic].  “We are kindred spirits,” as they recently mentioned and I wholeheartedly agree. It was thanks to the Dolan Geiman blog that I discovered the work of Carrie Marill.  Wow! And so begins another new feature, “Yes! Art & Agriculture.”

Do take a moment and check out Carrie Marill’s work. It really is incredible.