Atticus Blacksmith

Atticus McFadden-Keesling has been a blacksmith professionally since 2015. His first introduction into craft was through wood working. As a teenager, he made a series of bows and arrows. He took his first blacksmithing class at Tiller's international in 2008 and then went on the study welding and metallurgy at Oakland Community College. He then secured an apprenticeship under Master Blacksmith Scott Lankton in 2012 working in architectural iron work. Since then he went on to work and study with many masters of the craft. Atticus specializes in organic open die forging using historic industrial tools to craft steel.

Atticus Blacksmith Ironworks is a fully operational blacksmith shop in Romulus, Michigan. In addition to contractual work, Atticus has been an instructor at the Michigan Folk School in Ann Arbor since 2020. He specializes in blade smithing and hand forged curriculum. He also serves on the advisory committee that guides the development and direction of the folk school. 

Atticus Blacksmith seeks to design and create timeless lasting work by utilizing traditional forging techniques along side modern fabrication methods. Utilizing a variety of surface textures and hand patinas to create truly eye catching work. He works with steel, wrought iron, stainless, copper, bronze, and brass.

Atticus works with home owners, designers, contractors, architects, and business owners to bring projects from concept to installation. Sketches are used in the early stages of a job to flesh out a concept and metal samples can be used later to illustrate further. 

If you have an idea you’d like to see come alive please visit the contact page.

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If you are interested in learning blacksmithing from Atticus please visit https://www.mifolkschool.com/blacksmithing.html or contact him directly about private classes or workshops