Arts Directory

About

Artist Bio

I’m Jamie von Herndon, artist, sculptor, gardener and mom, from Swansea, South Carolina. For 25 years I have designed, fabricated, and forged various metals to form gates, railing, residential items, jewelry, engineered prototypes, signage and public sculptures. I have taught and demonstrated blacksmithing at museums, conferences, public and home schools, and in my studio. I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Art Studio in sculpture and painting. I went on to create powder-coated aluminum products for Ironman’s Shop. We served our local area with commercial and residential gates and railing. In 2010, I helped open our family company, Herndon Asphalt Engineering and Consulting, LLC. We provide asphalt engineering consultations concerning testing, product approvals and evaluations within commercial and governmental agencies. Luckily, I have had the opportunity to attend blacksmithing classes and study mechanics during the operation of these two companies. In 2020, Ironman’s Shop retired, giving me more time to focus on blacksmithing, teaching and family.

In 2015, I became a mom. I had my first son. In 2019, I had my second son. Raising children is harder than any metal work I have ever done. My sons are truly the best awards ever… At home I keep a small farm with chickens and a garden. I use my garden for my organic studies for my artwork. I find it fascinating how plants grow; yet, they are so fragile. My art copies their forms and gives them a permanent life.

As a tenured member of the Philip Simmons Artist Blacksmith Guild and the South Carolina Artists, I am proud to be part of our thriving artistic community in our State. In addition, I am also a member of the South Carolina Arts Commission’s Arts Directory.

I continue to practice traditional blacksmithing in hopes that the art form will thrive and be preserved for future generations.

Artist Statement

I’m Jamie von Herndon from Swansea, SC. (Artist, sculptor, gardener and mom). I have spent the past 25 years working on a multitude of metal projects that have included mediums of iron, aluminum, copper and sterling silver. My primary specialty is forging these metals into organic forms. I use traditional and modern blacksmith methods to create my artwork. I enjoy sharing and teaching these methods for anyone who is interested. I practice blacksmithing in hopes that the art form will continue to thrive and be preserved for future generations.