There has been a resurgence of interest in the old crafts, and not a moment too soon. This memoir is about my experience on the trail of that resurgence. The Seneca Treehouse has, as far as I know, the only coal forge in the South Carolina Upstate that is accessible to the public. Three years ago, I was attracted to blacksmithing by a medieval handbook on metalwork I happened upon. I had made pilgrimages to Greenville’s Artistry and Clemson’s art department to use gas forges

The Seneca Treehouse Project hosts potluck dinners on the first Saturday of the month. These are very good opportunities to tour the property, meet lots of interesting people, and share in our communal abundance. There’s great organic and local food with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, great home-brewed beer and craft wine (depending on who’s there, and if you’re into that sort of thing), and always great conversation. Full disclosure: the concept of the regular potl