CRAFTED IN
The CraftSMEN: Will Smith of Lowcountry Iron and Woodworks
welding and smelting iron and decided to start Lowcountry Iron and Woodworks 19 years ago.
The Craft:
The PROCESS:
Specializing in the unique, Will’s favorite projects are those out of the ordinary. Although he makes the basics—from simple stair railings to iron gates—Will’s passion is rooted in the artistic projects he creates. Recently, Lowcountry Iron completed a custom mailbox created to mimic an anvil and mallet and a custom gate, complete with a commemoration to the Boy Scouts of America. These types of distinctive projects are the ones in which Will truly revels.
The Backstory:
When Will was young, he worked as an apprentice to a local ironsmith who trained him in the craft and primed him to take over his family business. But Will, being in his late teens, didn’t know if that was the direction he wanted his life to go. So, he took a regular nine-tofive job and kept up with his ironworking as a part-time occupation on the side. After working this way for several years, Will realized his true passion for
Will completes most of his projects with iron, welding and forging it until it is pliable and constructed into a beautiful masterpiece. To begin the welding process, Will gears up by putting on his welding helmet, which is necessary to protect the eyes, neck, and face from ultraviolet rays, heat, flash burn, infrared light, and sparks. The iron is then melted together with other pieces; then it is bent, and twisted to create intricate designs. The finished piece is transported to the installation location; sometimes this poses a problem because larger pieces (such as stair railings) can weigh over a thousand pounds and be bulky and awkward to carry. At the installation site, Will welds the pieces into place, ensuring an exact fit in the home and an impressive final product (that will actually last a lifetime).
For more information, call Lowcountry Iron and Woodworks at (803) 515-3023.
(above) Will's employee Larry Lambert carefully welds the iron, creating a beautiful, black metal fence. (right) Unique projects like this mailbox and the airplane above are favorites of Will, who enjoys working on pieces that are both creative and unique.
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CH+D • Fall 2012
Photography by Patrick Brickman
CHARLES ON
(above) Will Smith of Lowcountry Iron and Woodworks (below) The intricately shaped iron on this staircase offers a piece of elegance in any home that will last a lifetime. (bottom) Will’s tools of the trade include his hammer and chisel, which allow him to create his works of art with precision.