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Welcome to BlacksmitHER Radio, spotlighting male and female blacksmiths around the world.

 

We’re committed to providing a host of resources to male and female blacksmiths of all ability levels through podcast interviews spotlighting your fellow blacksmiths. The podcast interviews are designed to help improve your metal working skills while providing an opportunity to connect with others who share your passion of blacksmithing!  

Jan 23, 2015

Jodie Bliss is a Colorado native working out of the small town of Monument Colorado, nestled in the majestic Rocky Mountains.

 

She holds a B.F.A and M.F.A. in Fine Art Sculpture from Western State College and the Academy of Art.  Jodie’s inspiration comes primarily from a study of people.  Psychology, sociology, theology and anthropology predominate Jodie’s thoughts, then she works her magic and turns those thoughts into forged sculptures. Her business is called the Bliss Studio and Gallery that holds her well fitted shop and a soon to be public gallery.

What We Talked About

 

·Jodie went to Western State College in Colorado for the Jewelry program at 18 and was introduced to welding by a nearby welding shop in Colorado Springs

 

·She bought an anvil from David Norrie and learned that he offered blacksmithing classes, so she ended up staying there for 4 months learning and creating a large 6 ft tall sculpture

 

·Jodie started her LLC business while she was finishing Grad school, it’s called Bliss Studio and Gallery

 

·She tells us about her incredible shop (I have huge shop envy!)and what it includes: a 4ft, x 4ft CNC plasma cutter, a Say Mak power hammer, a natural gas forge with a G-tec natural gas compressor, an oxy/natural gas cutting torch, treadle hammer, large sandblaster, hydraulic press

 

·Jodie’s best technique is texturing the metal using the treadle and many, many texturing hand tools and then using the brass brush for a finish

 

·She plans on using her hydraulic press more and she just bought Randy McDaniel’s “Hydraulic Forging Press for the Blacksmith”

 

·She tells us about the picture she is in with Albert Paley

 

·Her pricing strategy is a shop rate that includes her an hourly rate, rent, consumables and how it helps her sell

 

·Her selling skills have improved by participating in festival shows and keeping a journal, she has experienced that telling stories about her pieces helps sell them

 

·She tells us why she belongs to 4 or 5 different blacksmith associations

 

·The Bliss Studio and Gallery business has many facets and brings in income from private commissions, making plasma cut signs and going to festivals and setting up a booth

 

·She writes a business plan every 6 months!

Guest Links

 

Website – http://www.artbybliss.com/

 

Facebook – Bliss Studio and Gallery business page – https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bliss-Studio-and-Gallery/197163753670809?sk=info&tab=overview

 

Facebook personal page - https://www.facebook.com/blissjodie

 

 

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