Bryan Dale Headley, Artist - Blacksmith West Salem, IL.
In July of 2001, Bryan was introduced to blacksmithing by long time friend and blacksmith Rex Walden. The very moment hammer was laid to hot iron Bryan knew blacksmithing would be his future. After only two visits with Rex at the forge, Rex tragically lost his life. After hearing this news, Bryan vowed to carry on the blacksmithing trade. With absolutely no tools and only a vague understanding of the trade, Bryan started his own blacksmith shop! Slowly he acquired tools and spent every hour possible at the forge learning by trial and error with determination and the patience of Job.
Today, Bryan does a wide range of practical, primitive and decorative forged ironwork. In 2003, he was interviewed by the Illinois Ethnic and Folk Art Society about his involvement in blacksmithing with that taped interview being stored in the Illinois Archives for future references. Bryan has also been a special guest demonstrator of blacksmithing at Rockome Gardens in Arcola, Illinois. He has won many ribbons at fairs for his works as well as demonstrating blacksmithing at the Illinois State Fair . In 2005, Bryan's works were featured in the Bruebeck Art Center at Wabash Valley College, the first hand forged exhibit to be featured there. In 2005, Bryan directed and shot three half hour episodes for Rural Heritage Programming and R.F.D.- T.V that were first aired in September of that year and are still airing nearly worldwide on satellite television. His T.V shows are now offered in a .video series "Practical Forgework" that is marketed internationally by Rural Heritage. .In August of 2006, he signed his first publication contract for his article "Getting Started In Blacksmithing" that has since been published by two magazines. Bryan is a regular at many area festivals demonstrating blacksmithing as well as educating the public and introducing many to the trade that has nearly been lost to the hands of time.