RSS
 

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 experience 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.  Initials and or names can also be stamped into the handmade horseshoe.   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.

Leave a Reply

 

 
  1. Mary Margaret Dozier

    November 12, 2019 at 1:56 am

    I came home , told my hubby all about the 2 of you and your exhibit and stories ,He found this site for me. Saw pics of your eagle and other work. Am sooo impressed and feel blessed to have met you both , this site is the icing on the cake so to speak.!
    Thank you again for this special experience . I look forward to seeing more pictures of your work .
    . Mary Margaret and Kris

     
  2. Sharon Hauser

    October 9, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    I had no idea Marvin was doing this. How did you get involved with it. What a great experience.
    Do you still dance. You were the best dance partner I have ever had, lol. We used to always win the dance contest on Wed. Do you remember them? Take care and keep doing your blacksmith. Is there a place where I can see and maybe buy some of your art?

     
    • Beverly

      February 21, 2019 at 12:35 am

      Hi Sharon! Sorry that I have not checked for comments in a pretty good while. Marvin & I do still dance on occasion but have so many other demands on our time that its taken a back seat lately. He doesn’t have “product” for sale at the moment but is considering producing some things so that we can focus on different venues. He spends most of his time improving our show trailer. We would love to see you if you ever come through Ga. or can visit one of our events. We’ll be in Penn. next July & Aug.2020 but usually we’re in the South East. Thanks for writing!
      Beverly & Marvin
      ( he doesn’t do internet communication, prefers personal conversations.)

       
  3. David and Tara Grimes

    November 9, 2014 at 4:25 am

    We met Beverly and Marvin a few years ago at the Volusia County fair in Deland. We became friends with them and even have stopped by their place in lagrange, and let our boys play with their grand kids. We were looking forward to seeing them this year at our fair. When they did not show I inquired at the fair office as to why. They informed me that Beverly had become ill possibly with cancer. I have lost the card with their number on it, or I would have called to speak with them about this. If you could please email if this is the case so we can put them on our prayer list at church, and we are going to be coming thru Lagrange In a couple of weeks, and thought maybe we could stop by to say hello.
    Respectfully , David and Tara Grimes

     
  4. Allen Gaskill

    January 20, 2014 at 3:28 am

    Hey ,, I started Blacksmithing just a year ago but, We meet every 4th saturday at the Fort in Fort Mitchell,Al. If you get time come see us .

     
  5. Pat Coffey

    April 17, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Finally found your card in my purse and wanted to thank you again for making a horseshoe “with” Becky at the Kissimmee event in February!! My phone won’t load the Apprentice pictures to see if you used hers, but I’ll check back ASAP 😉
    I wanted to let you know that Becky wears her horseshoe with her Buck Buck stamped on it EVERY DAY…. It’s a forever piece, not just a souvenir.
    Thanks again, hope to catch up with you somewhere soon!

     
  6. John Bayer

    March 29, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    It was good seeing you and your wife last night at FUMCPM. Both of my sons remember the time you took to let them help you create horseshoes at Ossahatchee and Uchee Creek a couple of years ago with fondness. I just want to take this opportunity to thank you for the outstanding job you do with your demonstrations and wish you the best of luck in the future. God Bless!

     
  7. heidi boothe

    February 16, 2013 at 11:09 am

    Marvin and Bev, My husband and grandson Elijah loved watching and being an apprentice last night at the Osceola County Fair. Elijah loved his horseshoe and couldn’t stop talking about it. Sorry I missed it. My husband said you videoed it. I would love to see it. Elijah says God loves you:) God bless you and hope to see you soon.2/15/13 Heidi Boothe

     
    • Beverly Gardner

      March 7, 2013 at 12:08 am

      Hey Heidi!
      I’m sorry to be so long getting back in touch with you! I need to check for comments on our website more often.
      Actually, I just took photos of Elijah. He is sure precious! What a blessing it is for us to have opportunities to meet sweet families who inspire us like yours did! Hope to see you all again! Beverly and Marvin

       
  8. Craig Edwards

    November 12, 2012 at 5:10 pm

    Thank you for the horseshoes you made us. We met you at the Volusia county fair on Sunday, 11 Nov 2012. I am inquiring about purchasing three (3) more miniature horseshoes. I enjoyed watching you work, in fact, it was the highlight of my fair trip. Your website is cool. Thanks again.

    Apprentice Craig

     
    • Beverly Gardner

      March 7, 2013 at 12:11 am

      Hi, Craig! I apologize for this ridiculously late reply…I just rarely check our website for comments. We can certainly send you the 3 horseshoes you mentioned. Would you like them personalized with initials or names? Thanks! Talk to you soon. If you’d like to call us, the # is 706 333 6788

       
  9. Rick & Michelle McGhee

    April 7, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    Mr. & Mrs. Gardner,

    We missed the first ‘Trade Days’ in Alabama this year. Had hoped to come and see what new creations you had for sale. Maybe catch you later this year if you come this way. Looks like your calendar is pretty full! Sorry we missed you, hope to see you soon. Have a blessed summer and be safe.
    Love,
    The McGhee Family

     
  10. Tammera Hicks

    February 14, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    I got you message and enjoyed your site here. You met my father at Atmore. It would be nice for you to come to the Chattanooga Pow Wow. If you would like to come set up for a free area to demonstrate, talk and sell many of your items would be agreeable for me. Let me know.

     
  11. 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.

       
  12. 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!

       
  13. 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

     
  14. 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.