Don Hogenson of Hogy's Anvil shows Pearl Christianson how to hold a hammer. Don and his apprentice, Andy Wielinski, demonstrated how the village blacksmith made the many farm tools and household items that we expect to find in the hardware store. Don lives in Glenwood City, Wisconsin.

In his spare time, Nole Cook is a gunsmith. He makes finely crafted long rifles, pistols and revolvers. Like gunsmiths of the 18th and 19th centuries, Nole machines and fits parts by hand until the finished weapon is a work of art. Nole lives east of New Richmond.

Here are some samples of Nole's work. As you might guess, this demonstration was one of my favorites.