The repetitive clanging of the hammer against red-hot metal had onlookers mesmerized as Ryan Blessey worked to shape a piece of wrought iron into the form of a leaf. With sweat pouring from his face, working bare-handed with traditional blacksmithing tools, Blessey showed onlookers the art of blacksmithing.

About 10 spectators watched attentively as bits of fire sprayed from the iron with each blow of the hammer.

"In Ireland when they hear the ringing of the blacksmiths early in the morning on a Sunday, they knew it was time to go to church," said Jack Farrell. 

Farrell, a Newtown resident and avid blacksmith tool collector, brought some pieces from his collection for people to view at the demonstration at the Gurski Forge on Saturday.

Banging the hammer on the iron, heating it in the charcoal-fueled fire, banging the iron again, then plunging it into a bucket of water, Blessey had a rhythmic process in which he created his tool. 

"I use the water to control the heat," he said, "wherever I quench is where it moves.  It will move most where it is the hottest."

Blessey, a professional architectural metal worker, has been shaping iron and metal into various forms for the last 15 years.  Attending blacksmithing classes at Penland School in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Blessey learned the craft and continues to work and perfect it with each tool he creates. 

"The mountains in North Carolina are crawling with blacksmiths," he said as he hammered, "you can't get any work out there."

Spectators asked questions about the process and the history of blacksmithing as he demonstrated the age-old trade. One onlooker asked where the term "blacksmith" came from.

The 'black' color is a layer of oxides that form on the surface of the metal during heating. The term 'smith' originated from the word 'smite', which means 'to hit.' Thus, a blacksmith is a person who smites black metal.

Using a file, a vice and other tools to shape the iron, Blessey stuck to the traditional blacksmithing process, rather than using a blowtorch to heat the metal like some modern-day blacksmiths use.

When he was finished, Blessey showed spectators the tool he crafted that had a leaf shape on the end of it.  Also on display were many new and historic hand-crafted tools for viewers to peruse.  He said that a tool such as the one he made would usually be sold for use with a piece of furniture.  Also on display were axes, horseshoes, hinges and various other hand-crafted items.

Antique tractors sat on the lawn in front while visitors walked the property, looking at the historic cemetery nearby.

Chip Brown, of Brookfield, brought along a scale-model gas engine to demonstrate the way a regular-sized one would power tractors and tools in the 1800s.  The late Brookfielder Bob Smith had built the machine years ago and when he passed away his wife passed it on to Brown.

John Furlong of the Brookfield Historical Society chatted with guests as they browsed the tools, property and historic relics on display.

The Gurski Forge, where the demo was held, was recently renovated thanks to a grant from the Brookfield Educational Foundation. The forge serves as an educational destination for school field trips on local history.

Blessey said he does two demos per year at the Gurski property and also holds blacksmithing events throughout the Danbury area and Litchfield Hills. His next demo will take place at the free Fall Festival at Hollandia Nursery at 103 Old Hawleyville Road in Bethel on October 2-3.  Call 203-743-0267 for more information.