Book Craft: Megan Russell from Hammer It Out

In the coming weeks, Juliana will be doing a series of Weekend Spotlights on her favorite Etsy artists who create book related items. Today, we are pleased to welcome Megan Russell from Hammer It Out.

Juliana: Tell us a little about yourself and what it is that you do.

MR: I live in Austin, TX with my husband. I have no kids but take the job of being a cool aunt very seriously. I have been doing metal work for over a decade now, and love every minute of it. I work as a Whitesmith, meaning I work the metal cold.

Juliana: Metal-working doesn’t seem like one of those things you can just “pick up” one day, or that you can decide to try out on a whim and go to A.C. Moore/Michael’s to load up on supplies. How did you get started on this and why do you do it?

MR: It all started when I responded to an ad in the paper for an artist’s assistant, thinking I would answer phones or make coffee. When I arrived for my interview he handed me gloves, a hammer, some earplugs, and put me to right to work. Within an hour I was hooked. I spent two years working with him and learning by what I called the wax on wax off method. Sometimes we’d have to make hundreds of pieces in a day, so I learned to refine my techniques over time. After a little while doing the work was like meditation for me. I went on to work for a blacksmith, but came back to what I originally learned.

Juliana: Is this what you do full-time?

MR: I have a regular full-time job working for a large company, but I hope that eventually it’s something I can do full-time.

Juliana: How do you come up with your design ideas and where does your inspiration come from?

MR: I have always heard that necessity is the mother of invention. I guess for some people creation is a necessity. I talk to people and look at what they use in their daily lives and try to think of a way that I can make it better. Smithing has always been very strongly rooted in making functional items beautiful. I like the idea of something being pretty and durable.

Juliana: Why bookmarks and book ends? Do you have any plans in the future to make other book-related items and if so, what?

MR: My bookmarks are one of my favorite designs. It honestly started because I wanted to make as much as I could out of one sheet of steel. As time went on my designs got bigger and more complicated. I like the idea of things being timeless, useful, and beautiful. I think books fall into this category. The metal and the books seem to be a natural fit to me. I would love to make more items for books, and I am always open to suggestions.

Juliana: What kind of materials do you use in your work?

MR: I work in stainless steel because it is very green. I like knowing that what I make could be handed down to the next generation and not need much maintenance. The steel is about 60% recycled to start, and since I do not need to use any paints or chemicals it could easily be recycled again. It is interesting to me that it could last as I have made it forever or move onto a new form with no real effort.

Juliana: What is the craziest design you’ve come up with that you’d like to try and do, but haven’t gotten around to yet?

MR: I would like to make working pinwheels that would attach to the wall. I have a dream of having a bunch of different sizes on the outside of my house spinning and looking like something out of a cartoon.

Juliana: What kinds of special requests have you done in the past?

MR: Inevitably when certain people hear that I do metal work they ask if I can make them a  suite or armor. This is something I have yet to tackle. I think that the most interesting thing I have been asked to make was a large set of vines that filled a wall that was 6 feet by 5 feet. It took a while, but it was worth it when I got to step back and look at it.

Juliana: What are some of your favorite books? Favorite authors?

MR: I would have to say my favorite book is Grendel by John Gardner. It is well written and an interesting story. It outlined to me that no one is all good or all bad. That for some people the only way they can be the hero is to find a monster to fight, and if there is not a monster around you might have to create one.

Juliana: Favorite quote or saying?

MR: Being from the south I grew up inundated with sayings. Many of them still do not make sense to me today. The thing I say the most these days is “yes I am very fancy” when someone has something silly, or actually nice, to say to me. It is my way of not taking the compliment.

Juliana: If you could go on an all-expenses paid trip to anywhere in the world, where would you go and why, what attracts you or “calls to you” about that place?

MR: I would like to go to Saint Thomas in the Virgin Islands.  I went once it so beautiful, and I could have spent days just sitting on the beach listening to the waves. The people were all so laid back and kind it was like visiting another planet.

Juliana: And because I just have to ask (we are a romance blog!), you would choose the …

• sensitive and reflective poet, who is quiet but passionate in his/her beliefs
• bad boy/girl who is cynical and has a devil-may-care attitude — but is just waiting to be reformed
• tortured and mysterious loner, with a rough, intimidating exterior but a soft, heart of gold
• arrogant, distrustful aristocrat-type who needs to be taken down a peg or two and let down his/her guard
• entrepreneur whose strong personality and hard work has brought him/her from down-on-his/her-luck to great success
• ____________________ (fill in the blank with your own description!)

MR: It is funny that you ask. My sister and I were talking about how much the men in our lives have changed over the years.

When I was young I was stuck on the bad boy for a very short time, then I spent a lot of time on the tortured and mysterious loner. As I got a little older I did a short stint with the sensitive and reflective poet. In my twenties though I met the regular guy who is funny and you can take in public without too many fears of what they are going to say. I recommend the last one. Especially if he is pretty.

Juliana: Anything else you want to share with us, or question I haven’t asked that you would like to answer?

MR: I suppose I would like to share with your readers that you can do stuff. I do craft shows and I am regularly approached by people who do not think I make my work. I don’t believe they are accusing me of anything, I just don’t think the idea of making something crosses their mind. These are the same folks who are amazed when I make brownies from scratch. It is not a magic trick. The store will sell flour to anyone. If you have an interest in something try it out. If you wonder how something is made research it. It might be even easier than you thought. In that case start doing it and mystify people with how handy you are. It is a lot of fun.

*Question for Our Readers*

MR: I think I would be most curious if you discovered the romance genre or if someone introduced it to you.

Learn more about Megan and her work:
Etsy Shop | Facebook Page | Tumblr
*Sale* Megan has a sale going in her online Etsy Shop through February 14th: use the coupon code “VALENTINE” for 15% off!