If you are looking for Jim Carter at home, it is probably easier to find him at a craft show than at his blacksmith’s shop. He is there during the week, of course, creating and producing his ironwork. But most weekends Jim is usually away at one craft show or another.

  “Right now we are producing for the One-Of-A-Kind Spring show, so much of what is already made is packed for that,” Jim explains as he takes another piece of steel from his forge.

  Trained as welder out of high school Jim found he was getting many requests for custom work -- railings and other projects – and found he couldn’t produce the scrolls and other fancier ironwork. He met a blacksmith at around the same time and learned from him.

“Now I am making the things that I like to make,” he says. These are mostly functional items for the home and garden  – candleholders, things for the bathroom, as well as coat hooks and the like. Many of these are small items, perfect for gift giving or for a new home renovation. All are exquisitely crafted.

  “People are tired of the poor quality of many household items,” Jim says, explaining that people are willing to pay a little extra for to get a quality item.

  Examples of his handcrafted work are on display at his booth at the craft shows, including the Gravenhurst Farmer’s Market, which is held every Wednesday from 9am to 2pm, from the Victoria Day weekend to after Thanksgiving.  Jim is also the coordinator of the annual Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer show, held every July at Annie Williams Park in Bracebridge.

  “I think it is one of the best in Ontario,” Jim states, adding that he is not just saying that because he is the coordinator but from experience. The show draws some of the best craft people in Ontario, as well as from other provinces. “It is well know show, with a good clientele. The people who are coming there know there is quality work at the show. It’s not too big, either,” he continues, stating, “We are sticking with quality.”

This year’s dates for the 41st Muskoka Arts & Crafts' Summer Show are Friday, July 18 to Sunday, July 20^th.

Jim is also one of the exhibitor’s at the annual Muskoka Autumn Studio Tour. Usually held the last weekend of September, (this year’s is September 27 + 28, 2003) the studio tour is designed to allow the public to visitor artisans in their studios and watch them at work.

Jim’s new studio is located at 1435 Falkenburg Road between Bracebridge and Milford Bay. But it best to call first to see if he is in. Ph. 705.764.1445