John Baker
Fifty years, hard to believe! Yet here I am, still in Addison County . . . . Addison, the town, to be exact. Following graduation and not knowing what to do with a degree in Geology, I began construction work in Middlebury. This led to an interest in working with metal and fire and a class in blacksmithing and welding at Frog Hollow Craft Center in Middlebury. My instructor, Peter Laffin, was young, very much into sculpture, and living on the edge. I was hooked, working with my hands, creating, and repairing equipment and other items. I apprenticed with Peter for a couple years. I never expected I would still be at it almost 50 years later! I have many good friends I've worked for and a website (wildflowerironworks). Most of the time work is still challenging and fun, although my body now thinks otherwise on occasion.
To see more of my work please visit: http://wildflowerironworks.com/
Entry Stairs Railing, Camel's Hump motif, Forged Iron and Brass, 2004
Interior Balcony Railing, Forged and Plasma Cut Steel, Manchester, VT, 2005
Interior Stairs, Steel Tubing, Steel Rod, Middlebury, VT, 2015
Railing Project, Forged Steel, Set in Granite, Middlebury Congregational Church, Middlebury, VT, 2015
Welding Studio, COR-TEN Steel, Shelburne, VT, 2015-2016
Welding Studio, alternate view, COR-TEN Steel, Shelburne, VT, 2015-2016
Interior Railing, Forged Steel, Middlebury, VT, 2017
Nook Railing, Forged Steel, Waltham, VT, 2017
Porch Railing, Forged Steel, Set in Stone, Cornwall, VT, 2018
Stair Railing, Free Flow 3/8" Solid Rod, 1" Square Solid Tapered Posts, Lake Dunmore, VT, 2018
Bench, 50th High School Reunion, Millburn, NJ, Forged and Welded Steel, Waterjet Cut Letters, Mahogany, Marble, 2019
Hummingbird Porch Rail, Detail