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PLEASE
TAKE A MOMENT AND READ ABOUT
THIS AMISH BLACKSMITH
A note about my craftsman. I could obtain these
Weathervanes from other American suppliers (Manufactured in a
factory in mass quantities.), at at a cheaper price. But I
choose to support the Amish folks who are hard working,
honest, and full of faith and forgiveness beyond our
imagination. Plus their products are original and the
craftsmanship is far superior.
This particular Blacksmith; has a small enterprise
established,
employing four other young men learning the
trade of “Blacksmith”. He has, for the Amish, a large
display of products. Gift shops and retailers local to him
have to come to his shop to pick up product since the Amish
do not drive. However his talent not being unnoticed has a
lot of his product shipped out using UPS, he even exports.
His hours are dawn to dusk because he does not use any
electricity. But as a necessary evil he has a telephone
because it is completely necessary to run his business. A
sign on the wall reads closed for lunch 11:30 to 12:30 and
closed on Sunday.
It was very hard to find this Blacksmith as there were no
signs, just the street address on a fence, thank God for my
GPS. I turned into a lane hoping it was not someone home
and I could see in the distance a UPS truck making a pickup.
As I approached his shop, the surroundings appeared as this
was the only means of income (Most all of the Amish who
practice a trade also Farm). When I entered the showroom, I
was greeted immediately by a robust but very cheerful young
man. The boy’s name as I recall was Eli who explained all
the things I needed to know to buy from them. My wife who is
my eye for new products began to pick out some new items. I
told Eli I wanted to make a purchase now, he left
immediately returned to work and fetched his boss to meet
me. I met the Owner and placed a small order, the owner
himself went to his little attached warehouse pulled my
order and placed in my car. He thanked me and returned
quickly to join his fellow workers.
I am writing this, to try to give you some sense of the
integrity and work ethic of the Amish people. My experience
with these remarkable people
is truly an awakening for my business practices.
THIS
IS A STATEMENT ON THE
INSIDE COVER OF HIS CATALOGUE
Thanks to the customers who helped with ideas to come up
with the product selection we carry today. All iron items
listed in this catalogue are handcrafted at our shop
location. Because items are handcrafted, like humans, not
one will be perfectly alike. A lot of effort is put into
making jigs & fixtures to make items straight & alike to the
eye. All forged items are all still done with propane forged
ovens, hydraulic hammer, hand
hammers, anvil and plies. We wish you great success in having our
American handcrafted items in your store.
Note: The catalogue illustrations were hand drawn not photos
and some of the type looked like it was from a mechanical
type writer. |
