Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Jensen.
Paula, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
As many artists will say, “creating art has always been my passion, even as a child”. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t creating something. As an adult; I married young (19), then divorced with 3 children, I enrolled in college where I met Larry.
We married in 1991 moving our family to Larry’s childhood home South of Bemidji Minnesota. Larry also adopted my three children as his own. He supported my artistic endeavors while he worked as a welder. I continued to paint and sketch trying to sell my work locally, all the while being a parent and keeping house.
Larry began to ‘dabble’ in forge work in our garage, he tried convincing me to try blacksmithing as well. It took him 5 years of encouragement to finally convince me to try. I have to admit, the man was right and I wish I would have listened sooner.
As the kids got older, we needed more income. I got a welding job at a local manufacturing company. There I learned more about fabrication and welding techniques. During that time, our daughter started an artist website for me that had my paintings and some of my metalwork displayed. The website led to inquiries about custom-made metal art. It was enough work that In 2001 Larry and I decided to start our business Earth Eagle Forge LLC. Larry continued to work as a welder/millwright mechanic while I would design and create commissioned metal art out of our home shop.
When there were no orders and kids were in school, I would use the time to develop my ideas. If the pieces were public-worthy, I would post them on the website or Etsy shop. Soon it became clear that when I created something unique, there would be inquiries for similar work. We started getting emails/phone calls from people all over the U.S.
In 2008 Larry was laid-off from his millwright position due to the plant closing. He had more time to collaborate with me in the shop. By that time, we had become empty nesters, and Larry was close to retirement. We sold our home in 2013 and moved to our current location in Longville MN where we purchased 40 acres and built our small house as well as a shop in the middle of the woods, surrounded by nature.
Earth Eagle Forge LLC has grown over the years. I can’t say that either of us had a ‘plan’ per se. Other than to create artwork and follow our hearts. Every step of the way we were just taking what we thought was the next ‘logical’ step; ‘ok, what do you do now?’ kind of thing, we have found that if we create unique, artful metalwork, people find us. We continue to experiment and find new ways of creating. When we create something new or out of the ordinary, new clients show up asking if we can create something similar for them. Designing and creating one-of-a-kind metal art has been the backbone of our business that attracts clients from all over the U.S.A through our website.
Our latest endeavor has been to cast sculptures in bronze using the lost wax casting method. We are now able to create wrought iron with bronze elements….or bronze sculptures if that is what is requested. Larry has also started creating his own line of jewelry, all self-taught.
Both Larry and I love to learn new techniques in order to express ourselves in the three-dimensional. We use a combination of fine art, design and craft to keep things interesting.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Is there such a thing as a smooth road?
There have been ups and downs and I’m sure that will continue. Everything new brings challenges. Challenges are sometimes….a lot of times….most of the time frustrating. But, there is a lot of learning that accompanies those challenges as long as you don’t quite. Cliché? Maybe, but still true.
It took Larry 5 years to convince me to try blacksmithing. The challenge was that it was so unfamiliar. I didn’t think I had the skills. And I didn’t. But when I finally ‘decided’ to ‘TRY’. Then ‘decided’ not to give up. That’s when metalwork started ‘feeling’ familiar. Once I began to see the potential in what I could create, how malleable metal is when heated, it became a legitimate medium to express my artistic ideas. Practice was important, but the decision to try and then continue was key…..well, a persistently encouraging husband helped quite a bit as well.
When I’m working on any project, whether a commission or my own, there are always ‘things to figure out’. I’ve been creating in metal for over 25 years and experience tells me that it always works out. Just keep going and the solution will present itself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
We specialize in custom-made metal art. We design and then create based on the conversations we have with our clients. The work that you see on our website, for the most part, are past commissions. No mass productions here…we cater to Niche markets.
What sets us apart from the manufacturing world is that, what we design and create is exclusively for the person who ordered it. The majority of people who contact us are looking for artwork that reflects their personal style and find it difficult to find anywhere else.
The majority of what we create is inspired by nature. Whether it is a fireplace screen, gate, (Functional art) or bronze sculpture. The influence of living in Northern Minnesota surrounded by woods and wildlife is evident in our designs.
What are we most proud of?…. hmmm. Larry; ” We raised 3 wonderful people, our kids”. Paula; “Ditto that, but also we never gave up and continue to work at it.”
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
We are fortunate.
So many people have lost loved ones, lost income, lost, lost, lost…..
It’s so easy to take for granted the people in our lives… The commissions that we continue to get. Where we live….all that we have.
How is it possible to feel so blessed and sorrowful at the same time? But here we are…
Pricing:
- $150.00 design fee. Reimbursed if order placed
- $500 limit on any order
- Pricing based on Time + Material + S/H = cost
- How to order: https://www.eartheagleforge.com/how-to-order
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.eartheagleforge.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eartheagleforge/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eartheagleforge
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/eartheagleforge42091? https://www.etsy.com/shop/lsjensenarts?
Image Credits
Earth Eagle Forge LLC
