Scottdale girl learns blacksmith trade
Madyson Kosor, 11, of Scottdale began learning the craft of blacksmiths from her grandfather two years ago and has taken to it well, participating in festivals, such as the Fort Allen Antique Farm Equipment Association Hammer in and Plow Days.
“I think all kids should learn a craft,” said Wayne Kelly, Kosor's grandfather. “It thrills me that she is interested.”
Kosor's grandmother, Karen Kelley, said there are entire Saturdays that Wayne and Madyson have hammers in their hands in the garage workshop. Madyson wants to learn whatever Wayne is working on, said Karen Kelley.
Wayne Kelley said he has been doing blacksmith work for 22 years and enjoys sharing talents with his granddaughter. He said she accompanies him to festival and enjoys explaining the process to people who stop at his booth.
Kosor's mom, Christina, said Madyson doesn't like the sparks. She said her father always stresses safety when working with the craft, such as goggles and gloves. He (Wayne) always handles the hot parts and she hammers the shapes, said Christina.
Kosor said her favorite things to make are “swirly” decorative items she designed and created. She said she puts them on her book bag for school. She said she also has made flint and steel fire starters, S-hooks and leaves from the cold rolled steel. She said she would like to make a banana some day.
She said her favorite part of the process is hammering and quenching.
“The most fun is using the hammer, using muscles I usually don't use. It's fun when you see the steam come off the hot metal when you quench the piece in a water slack tub to cool,” Kosor said.
Kosor said the S-hooks take the longest to make. She explained the process of heating the cold rolled steel for three minutes and drawing out to shape. She said she continues the process on the other side of the metal piece to create the S-hook before quenching it.
Kosor said her friends have seen photographs of her working with her grandfather in the blacksmith shop. She said she made several leaves and “swirly” keychains as gifts including one for a Christmas gift for her teacher, as well as other items for her mom and grandmother for Mother's Day. She said her next project may be something for her paternal grandfather.
“My friends think it's awesome,” said Kosor.
Christina said her daughter tells Wayne what she wants to make and he figures out how to do it in the easiest sense and they create it together. She added working in the blacksmith shop with Wayne is very therapeutic, especially when Madyson is having a bad day.
“I love and support her 100 percent in doing blacksmithing,” Christina said.
Kosor is the daughter of Christina Kosor of Scottdale and Kelly Kosor of Mill Run and has a sister, Taylor.
Kelly Vernon is a staff writer with Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-547-5722 or kvernon@tribweb.com
