Modern day blacksmith makes one-of-a-kind pieces

BROOMFIELD - Tucked away in a warehouse, modern day blacksmith Geoffrey Newton crafts works of architecture out of steel and hammers. Using a blend of tools developed at the turn of the century and power saws, Newton and his crew build items ranging from door handles to backyard arbors.

"What I've taken from the craft is what people developed hundreds of years ago," Newton said. "Literally, we use many of the same tools, try to continue the tradition."

Newton calls himself a metal worker and fell in love with the craft during an apprenticeship in Santa Fe, N.M. when he was 18 years old. As a modern blacksmith, Newton blends together the craft of traditional blacksmithing and modern tools.

The objects created at Geoffrey Newton Metal Works are all made individually, which gives them a more unique feel than something mass produced.

"By doing the work by hand, all the fine detail is there," Newton said. "We have control of the specific artistic nature of the piece."

The individual pieces here also eliminate the risk of someone else having the same piece.

"I can make it exactly the way I want to see it and the way that I believe my clients want to see it," Newton said.

The traditional method and attention to detail that go into each piece considerably drives up the cost; some pieces range from $1,500 to $2,000 per foot. However, business remains steady, Newton says, with regular customers ordering items for residences.

Finding metal workers who share in Newton's passion is not always easy.

"I find guys that are fascinated with the trade," Newton said. "Rarely do they have any experience."

While blacksmithing is a physically intensive profession, Newton would prefer working with his hands to working in an office.

"If I didn't love it, it would be a difficult thing to do day-in and day-out," Newton said.

For more information and to see examples of Newton's work visit: http://www.gnewton.com/index.htm

9NEWS Intern Stephanie Patrick contributed to this story.