Leslie Tharp Designs

11/11/2024

The first class of the fall teaching season starts tomorrow! Intro to blacksmithing.
We’ll meet for 3 evenings and cover fundamental techniques with small project prompts for practice!

There are still 2 spots open for this class!
FeverMetalartcenter.com

03/11/2024

Classes are already filling up!
fevermetalartcenter.com

29/10/2024

And thus concludes my residency time at
As always it’s not just the work we make, it’s all the ways we connect with each other. Big thank you to everyone who made the week so special!

25/10/2024

My sculpture will be exhibited tonight in Gainesville at the as part of the show “Sovereign Forms”.

View the work and read the artist’s statements that respond to the prompt “why are reproductive rights important to you”.

24/10/2024

Hey there local folks, have you heard about the Florida FABA - Florida Artist Blacksmith Association conference?
It's on Nov 8-10 on the lawn of the Best Western by 39th Ave and I75 in Gainesville.

FABA is offering some pretty incredible discounts for students and tech school faculty this year. $30 entrance for the 3 day event.

My first ever instructor, Doug Wilson, is demonstrating! So come check it out.

And there are classes to sign up for as well.

more details here - https://www.blacksmithing.org/fabacon

19/10/2024

Check out this multi - evening series. Intro to Blacksmithing will cover fundamental techniques with small project prompts each evening.
The weather's just right for some skill building, so come out and join us. Only 4 spots remaining in this class.

https://shorturl.at/bS0dd

18/10/2024

Did you receive today's newsletter with details on the new class schedule and additional opportunities in our area this fall?

If not, please sign up to receive the next one. Social media isn't the most reliable way to get updates, and these classes are small and often fill up quickly!

https://shorturl.at/QqU2B

14/10/2024

For anyone hoping to get into the shop this fall and work on their skill building, the fall schedule has just been posted!

FeverMetalArtCenter.com

FeverMetalArtCenter.com

The fall schedule has been posted!

16/09/2024

A few more images from this project! I just love how this turned out.
This project was designed for a local Gainesville home. Our goal was to modernize the aesthetic of the space and replace the old clunky railing with custom ironwork that focused on clean lines and surface quality. The new metalwork needed to fit back into the existing hardwood floors without any additional disruption. The railing needed to integrate seamlessly into the three sections in the home. Entryway landing, hallway stairwell, and curved interior balcony.
In my humble opinion we hit all marks and exceeded the goal! This was a fun one and the client was fantastic to work with. Trusting the designs on paper could be carried into a forged variation and become a centerpiece of the home’s aesthetic.

12/09/2024

is the place to be!!

Can’t express strongly enough what a wild and fun space this is. So many wonderful moments, forge-side, with these smiling faces. We explored ways of utilizing joinery for both practical connection and design purposes. I’m always amazed to see what comes out of these broad prompts and this class was no exception. Amazing and varied approaches!

Thank you all for making the week so special and big thanks to and .and.yes.designs for keeping us all comfy in the shop. Hope to work with you all again soon!

14/08/2024

Here’s a demo project I made this week for my Botanical Studies with a Focus on Connections class.

21/07/2024

Here’s a forged railing I recently completed for a wonderful local client. This was a fun one!

17/07/2024

One more look at Grounded, with a white backdrop.
Forged and fabricated Cor-ten steel.

Now in the permanent collection of the Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center in Fulton, GA.

16/07/2024

Another view of the sculpture Grounded.

Now in the permanent collection of the Wellstar North Fulton Medical Center in Fulton, GA.

Forged and fabricated Cor-ten steel
5.5’ x 2’

13/07/2024

I made a small batch of forge welded and fold formed belt buckles while visiting this past week as ‘s assistant in the Sparkle Magic class.
Check out my previous post to see the selection. 6 are still available! $140 includes shipping in the US and supports my habit of bumming around coal forges and buying expensive tools!

13/07/2024

There’s still time to register for my class at

This beginner friendly class focuses on forged joinery as a composition element in botanical forms. We will have a follow along project for the first two days, followed by custom exploration depending on each person’s interest.

For any local students considering this multi-day, full emersion class I think you will find our ability to deep dive into techniques much more extensive than what I can currently offer in my Gainesville shop. Please note that these classes are designed for you to have more time working through techniques and problem solving than the half day or 1 day classes you are accustomed to in my shop.

https://petersvalley.org/workshops/entwined-botanical-studies-with-a-focus-on-connections/

13/07/2024

There's still time to register for my class at Peters Valley School of Craft in the Delaware Water Gap!

This beginner friendly class focuses on forged joinery as a composition element in botanical forms. We will have a follow along project for the first two days, followed by custom exploration depending on each person's interest.

For any local students considering this multi-day, full emersion class I think you will find our ability to deep dive into techniques much more extensive than what I can currently offer in my Gainesville shop. Please note that these classes are designed for you to have more time working through techniques and problem solving than the half day or 1 day classes you are accustomed to in my shop.

https://petersvalley.org/workshops/entwined-botanical-studies-with-a-focus-on-connections/

12/07/2024

Belt Buckle drop! Made at
Forge welded loop and fold formed center.
Accepts a 1 1/2” belt but some can accept larger.

$140 includes shipping in the U.S.
Message me to claim one!!!
All proceeds support my power hammer buying habit!!!!!