Swords and The Lonely Mountain Forge:: Alyra

I'm obsessed with swords like other dancers are obsessed with costumes and veils. And I feel such strife that by the time I find a new and unique sword on the market and buy it (and it's ususally a fortune), about a million dancers also find it and buy it and so it's neither unique, new or exciting. Growl!!! It's enough to make a dancer stamp her foot and harrumph!!

Well, needless to say, an obsession really cannot be controlled so I have decided to obey the urge without reservation or guilt! In my secret lair (well, not so secret as there is a post about it!) I conjured up an idea that will both feed the need and support the vanity of having something that is just truly my own.

I must have a custom sword! Yes! That is the answer! That way, there will only be one in the world, and it will be mine!!! Designed by me, a reflection of me, made for me and MINE...all mine....MINE ALONE....And I will polish it and love it and name it and cast spells over it so that for all eternity it will only serve me until the end of time...... bwahhhhahahahaha!!!!! (<----that's supposed to be maniacal laughter!).

So, with that plan in mind, my super indulgent and doting husband packed our car and we trekked to Pennsylvania where lives Master Metalsmith Joe Piela and The Lonely Mountain Forge. Joe comes from a family of craftsmen, having learned his art from his grandfather, a blacksmith who emigrated to the US from Poland many years ago. You can see some of the incredible stuff Joe has done for others at his website: http://members.aol.com/gijchar/forge.html.

Now, because the outcome of this project is secret, I shant breath a word about what was discussed, but I can tell you that we were in deep conspiracy for hours. Planning, scheming and creating!!! Joe is an amazing talent hidden away in PA who can create just about anything in Metal. Not only can he forge helmets, sheild, and Armor as well as Swords for Vain Bellydancers, he can also sculpt spells, runes and arabic into the blades, or on the handle and make a scabbard to boot!

Here are some shots of the The Lonely Mountain Forge and Joe at Work.

This is the Craftsman's Table where much of the magic happens.

The seemingly modest forge that can set even the hardest metal glowing and pliable. It gets amazingly hot and the heat makes a terrifying whispering and breathing sound that literally makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. It becomes almost alive.

A real anvil from last century along with another shot of the primary hammer. Once you hear the clanging of the hammer on the metal, you are immediately transported back to Medieval Europe. It's as if you've stepped into a time machine and utterly engrossing.

Dark Magic in the works....

Even after the metal has been forged and pounded, it continues to glow with an etherial light!

The Forge Guardian and Manager watches earnestly!.

So, with all that being said, don't bother to even try to pry from Joe what he's working on for me. He'll never tell!! However, we both suspect that the Forge Guardian is susceptible to bribes!!