About
Marvin Gardner has been Blacksmithing for over 35 years, first as a hobby and later as a profession.
Over the years he has enjoyed creating many blacksmith art pieces including an Eagle with an 18′ wing span as a memorial for 9/11 victims and a Memorial Cross with over 300 different leaves and flowers sculpted into it. Through the years he had the opportunity to create many custom utilitarian pieces including stair railings, table bases, chandeliers etc.
Recently, his wife and he have decided to redirect their focus to something they both really enjoy… Blacksmith Demonstrating. Marvin had been the Blacksmith in the Primitive Skills Section of the Ossahatchee Indian Pow Wow for 9 years. This experiece had been the highlight of his year and has caused his wife and he to change their focus from production to demonstration. What they enjoy most is the interaction with the audience and the young people who become their apprentices for about 10 minutes. During the demonstration, Marvin’s apprentice and he transform a tiny piece of quarter inch rod into a handwrought miniature horseshoe. This horseshoe can be purchased as a key chain or necklace for $7.00. Initials and or names can also be stamped into the handmade horseshoe. The horseshoe is only $7.00 but the look on their faces as they walk away with a “one of a kind” souvenier that they helped create is PRICELESS!
Marvin and Beverly are also enlarging their territory to include Schools and Churches to provide a “Field Trip Experience” for them without the cost and time involved with group travel since they take the Mobile Blacksmith Shop to them.
You may contact them at 706 837-0229 or 706 333-6788 for details.
Pat and Allen Walsh
April 12, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Hey, just thought I would check out your website. Pretty neat stuff here and of course you are a wonder with “rust and flame”. We so enjoyed meeting you at Cherokee of Ga. Pow Wow – Spring. Hope that you make it back again.
Christy Cherry
September 26, 2011 at 6:17 pm
My family had the pleasure of meeting you at the Gwinnett County fair on Sept. 22. My daughters Caragan and Chesney became apprentices that night and came home with a one of a kind treasure. The horseshoe necklace that you helped them to create became a show and tell for their classes the very next day. Thank you for taking the time to share your art and expertise with us! The Cherry Family Monroe, GA
Dylan Gooden
October 15, 2011 at 1:56 am
Hey there!
I am apprentice Dylan from Griffin, GA fair. Will you please send my mother a pic of the cross you make out of nails, so I can ask her to buy one? Thank you!!! you are awesome at what you do best!
p.s. I like what you do. Never give up!
Beverly
November 3, 2011 at 4:16 am
Hi Dylan! We haven’t had a section on this website with products since we usually have such a limited supply with Mr. Marvin making them one at a time.
If you look at the different fairs, the first photo of an apprentice at the Coosa Valley Fair in Rome, Ga. is an older gentleman modeling the cross he just purchased. Maybe that will help. At the moment we’ve sold out of the crosses Mr. Marvin made before we started this season. We hope that he will be able to make a good supply when we get home in mid. Nov. We’ll let you know when we have some available. Thanks again!
Don Poe
October 25, 2011 at 11:06 pm
Marvin and Bev. thank you both for the outstanding demo’s at the 50th anniversary of the Kiwanis/Ogeechee Fair. As Chairman of this years Fair I can say that your booth was always busy and the crowd young and old alike enjoyed you both. We look forward to seeing you again next year. Take care until then.
Beverly
October 26, 2011 at 5:30 am
Hi, Don!
We had a great time with you all. Thank you again for all of the enhancements to the Heritage Village. We’re sure that the area was so inviting and clean that the crowds couldn’t resist strolling on down to the Blacksmith shop! Hope you and your family get some rest after all of the long hours you put in to make the Fair as amazing as it was. Thanks again, we look forward to being with you all next Oct.