Forged in the West- Dan
LightNews LightNews
banner
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Forged in the West- Dan
@forgedinthewest.bsky.social
2.9K followers 4K following 28 posts
Artist, metalsmith, blacksmith, dad.
I specialize in historical weapons recreation, but also make tools, melt metals, carve stone and sculpt wood and make art.
I make art to avoid watching the downfall of democracy.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Forged in the West- Dan @forgedinthewest.bsky.social · Mar 30
Here are some of my Māori inspired patus in wood and granite.
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Finally got my website set up! Support my work with merch for now, artwork coming soon.

forgedinthewest.myshopify.com?srsltid=AfmB...

#blueskyartshow
#metalwork
December 6, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Reposted by Forged in the West- Dan
naturehappens.bsky.social
If Only They Knew

They say, “Mellow out,” as if calm were a switch hidden under my ribs,
My mind is a wildfire—
not burning to destroy, but burning to know…

#blueskyartshow
#gifted
#intensity #livingwithintensity
Charcoal drawing of a girl on the top of a mountain overlooking a cliff in a storm. Wind and lightning If Only They Knew They say, “Mellow out,” as if calm were a switch hidden under my ribs, My mind is a wildfire— not burning to destroy, but burning to know. My thoughts outrun the clock, feet tapping to a tempo no one else can hear. Psychomotor sparks— Restless, Relentless, Asking my body to keep pace with possibility. The world arrives in high-definition: Light: too bright. Texture screams and sings against my skin. A whisper becomes a symphony. A color becomes a feeling. Sensual threads pull me to notice what others pass by. Imagination folds the ordinary into myth and metaphor— Turning shadows into stories, Questions into quests. I live on the edge Of real and yet-to-be. Then comes the drive to know— The Intellectual pull— Where curiosity grows teeth and won’t stop chewing until the truth is laid bare. I chase patterns like fireflies, collecting answers in jars made of wonder. Beneath it all, emotion rises— Not small, Not quiet, But overpowering and all encompassing. Joy arrives like sunrise. Grief floods like a storm. Empathy vibrates deep in my bones. I feel the world before I understand it. Intensity is not a flaw but a compass A way of being tuned to a finer frequency. It is the engine of potential, The spark that cracks open who I am becoming. I cannot always “mellow out.” I can learn to channel, To breathe, To honor the motion within. This inner storm is also my source of light A power that, when understood, becomes purpose
December 6, 2025 at 5:56 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Almost done with the series!
#bronze #metalcasting #forgedinthewest #blueskyartshow
September 13, 2025 at 10:33 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Bronze megalodon tooth.
#bronze #metalcasting #blueskyartshow
August 31, 2025 at 11:25 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Doing some sand casting today.
#bronze #Metalcasting #blueskyartshow
August 31, 2025 at 8:02 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Casting silver skulls.
#silver #metalsmithing #bluskyartshow #forgedinthewest
July 29, 2025 at 6:48 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
My shop assistants 🐈‍⬛
July 22, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Reposted by Forged in the West- Dan
patrickkapty.bsky.social
Rutile and Hematite in Quartz
From Bahia, Brazil

#gemstones #gemology #minerals #rutile #hematite #quartz #bahia #Brazil #mineralogicalsample #mineralogy #crystal #crystalline #structure
July 22, 2025 at 3:00 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Copper is so beautiful!
Can’t wait to turn these castings into jewelry and sculptures.
#copper #bluskyartshow #metalsmith
July 20, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Reposted by Forged in the West- Dan
medelmanart.com
I've been busy in the shop cranking out new work! Check out this new piece over at ladiesofiron.com! #jewelry #artjewelry #blacksmithing #art
May 13, 2025 at 2:55 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Copper pour experiment that went awry… but it’s also kinda cool.
#bluskyartshow
#copper
#metalsmith
July 20, 2025 at 3:48 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Melting copper today. Recycling trash into art.
#metalsmith #copper #sustainableart #meltingfurnace
July 19, 2025 at 10:01 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Recycling trash into art.
#metalsmithing
#meltingfurnace
#copper
July 19, 2025 at 9:58 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Melting silver today! #silver #meltingfurnace #metalsmith
July 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Reposted by Forged in the West- Dan
naturehappens.bsky.social
Protect yourselves from the sun! ☀️
May 24, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Forged in the West- Dan
annalarssonstudio.bsky.social
Are you an artist, crafter, or photographer? Join us in the #ArtYear community & post your work using the #ArtYear hashtag.🌱 Let’s spread joy in the world through art & support each other’s creative practice!✨ Can’t wait to see your art, works in progress, studio shots & art supplies in the feed!🤩🌿
The image shows information and guidelines about the #ArtYear hashtag and feed. The image has text on a white background with a green border. The text reads as follows: Join the #ArtYear challenge! Spread joy in the world through art—we all need it! 🌱Post your own original art, any medium: art, craft, photography; WIP, studio & art supply images welcome too 🌱Use the hashtag #ArtYear 🌱Runs daily, all year—post when you can 🌱No themes 🌱Use ALT text, keep it SFW (Safe For Work), no A I or N F Ts ✨Our mission: To spread joy in the world through art and support each other!✨ Find the #ArtYear feed—and community!— in my profile, @annalarssonstudio.bsky.social, under Feeds & pin it to your menu. Come join us—see you in the feed! 😀🌿
April 2, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Reposted by Forged in the West- Dan
naturehappens.bsky.social
Colorado commute

Misty frozen air.
Early, Saddleback mountain
December morning.

#colorado
#blueskyartshow
#landscape
Misty frozen air. Early, Saddleback mountain December morning.
June 1, 2025 at 4:15 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
#blueskyartshow
#lightandshadow
Dramatic light dark from metal heating in the forge
May 24, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Reposted by Forged in the West- Dan
churchstreetimages.com
Join the #BlueSkyArtShow
Saturday May 24, 2025
The theme is #LightAndShadow
Straight, curvy or otherwise

Any art that fits, any skill level
Pin the feed to follow along
Use both tags to be included
Hold your posts till SATURDAY

Share the link for the feed when you post
More info in the comments
Dramatic photo of white flowers on a black background with text reading: Join the #BlueSkyArtShow The theme is #LightAndShadow Saturday May 24, 2025 Any art that fits. Any skill level. Follow our feed. Use both tags to be included. Post on Saturday photo: @ioneblue.bsky.social
May 19, 2025 at 12:44 AM
Reposted by Forged in the West- Dan
naturehappens.bsky.social
Happy Sunday! 🦋
May 18, 2025 at 4:39 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Look at that shine! ✨
May 18, 2025 at 4:41 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Gearing up to make more of my modern take on Māori patus. All of my art is sustainable using reclaimed materials as much as possible.
May 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
forgedinthewest.bsky.social
Thanks for the @laurieagard.com bump! 💪
laurieagard.com Laurie Agard @laurieagard.com · May 17
FOUR packs! Each link below has ARTISTS & people who engage & are building a great community! Check them ALL out,come & meet them in the comments section!

🎥LIKE
🎥REPOST
🎥ENGAGE
🎥FOLLOW BACK

Pack 1
go.bsky.app/CrcbAiN
Pack 2
go.bsky.app/QMvCAj4
Pack 3
go.bsky.app/DZpEum5
Pack 4
go.bsky.app/TaesJXg
May 18, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Reposted by Forged in the West- Dan
dcombes.bsky.social
Thanks Y❗️
@y-exclamationpoint.bsky.social
@lovesdogs.bsky.social
@grannycrowe.bsky.social
@dodibes.bsky.social
@urielandme.bsky.social
@pr3vgen.bsky.social
@forgedinthewest.bsky.social
@henrypenny.bsky.social
@corgicafe.bsky.social
@mysticwonder.bsky.social
@cookievargas.bsky.social
May 13, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Forged in the West- Dan
sujatharajasekar.bsky.social
#WeekRforRoads #AlphabetChallenge #Stunday #Quietmoments
Wishing my Bluesky friends a peaceful Sunday
My phone reminded me of this old picture I'd taken of a road winding on endlessly
Seeing this reminds me of a Maori proverb
'I walk backwards into the future with my eyes fixed on the past.(thread)
May 4, 2025 at 8:15 PM