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Black Bear Forge is a small family-owned and operated
blacksmith shop near the town of Beulah, Colorado. Beulah is in the
foothills of the Rocky Mountains, south- west of Pueblo, Colorado. For many years I operated under the name of Switz
Forge. After I married Janet and moved to our current location, we
decided it was time for a fresh start in the shop and a new name.
We still offer many of
the same items we had before. Now, though, our focus is more on custom work, specifically
home and cabin hardware and camp goods for re-enactors. Blacksmithing is a
part time business for us, so we unfortunately don't get into the shop as often
as we'd like. If you're building a new log or timber frame home,
please take the time to look at out custom hand-forged hardware.
Artist's Statement
I have found a great deal of satisfaction from forging metal for a variety of
reasons. There is, of course, the historical aspect, where I stated in the craft,
making items for fur trade era re-enactors. The art of blacksmithing continues
to challenge me to learn new skills and techniques. There is always a sense of
gratification on the tactile level as I shape steel made malleable by the heat
of the fire. Making things of beauty and utility for other people has always
provided me with the greatest satisfaction.
About Us
John works full time as a
Firefighter in Aurora Colorado. Janet is retired from an engineering office and
now works part time for a native plant nursery. We are currently breaking
ground on a new log home that will consume most of our spare time for the next
several years. Janet is doing most of the design work and serving as the
general contractor while John will take on most of the building and site work
once the logs are up. We will continue to work in the blacksmith shop, but
work will naturally come out at a slower pace.
John Switzer
Janet Rivera Switzer |
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