Stone County Ironworks
Americas Blacksmith Shop
Blacksmiths at Stone County Ironworks continue to use traditional hand forging techniques and tool such as the anvil, hammer and forge to create heirloom quality wrought iron furniture and accessories. Each item is unique as it reflects the skill and workmanship of the blacksmith who creates it.
The History Behind the Company
Stone County Ironworks originated in an old gas station in 1979 in Mountain View, Arkansas, by one skilled and determined blacksmith, who apprenticed and demonstrated the craft at the Ozark Folk Center in 1976. Early sales were at retail craft shows, but by 1984 wholesale accounts were the focus, with the help of 9 employees. That year a 5000 square foot building was erected with the assistance of local government agencies who sought to create opportunity in the area.
In 1989 the first Furniture Collection was showcased at an Interior Design trade show, and after rave reviews, was featured in the 1990 catalog. By then, 33,000 square feet of production and office space and over 100 employees handled 3000 wholesale accounts. A showroom and outlet store opened on the Square in downtown Mountain View in a beautiful stone building on the National Historic Register. Also, in the December 1990 issue of Inc. Magazine, Stone County Ironworks was rated #252 on the annual list of the 500 fastest growing privately held companies in the nation.
By 2003, after reorganization and consolidation of resources, the Stone County Ironworks facility at 408 Ironworks Drive was purchased by a local business leader. Metal Creations, Inc. dba Stone County Ironworks is committed to returning to our roots, with the reputation and standards of "Made In America" quality and satisfaction. The Pine Collection, Vineyard Collection, and the Designer Series, designed by the Daniel Stuart Studio, are new product lines created under new management, as we rekindle the spark of excitement and pride in workmanship learned here in Stone County.
Iron Design Styles
Stone County Ironworks creates iron furniture and accessories in a variety of design styles which are divided up by collection and include the following:
Product Lead Times
Products from Stone County Ironworks typically take 2-3 weeks to be delivered, as each item is handmade per order. Custom items and projects from Stone County Ironworks take 4-6 weeks to complete.
Finish Options
Stone County Ironworks offers a variety of finishes for their iron furniture and accessories, some premium finishes require multiple hand applied cotes, all finishes are baked on and extremely beautiful. Most of our items from Stone County Ironworks are shown with the standard "Natural Black" finish, unless otherwise specified, exceptions would include the Pine and Whisper Creek collection which feature standard woodland finishes of their own. The natural black is not a pure black; it's more of a dark charcoal that replicates the very early finishes applied by blacksmiths, who finished most of their iron work by actually rubbing soot from the coal burring forge onto the metal surface to give it an immediate dark "charcoal" color. If you really want to appreciate the natural beauty of the hammered iron, the standard Natural Black finish is your best bet. But Stone County offers some wonderful "Premium Finishes" to accommodate any color scheme as well. Premium finishes have an up charge which is listed on every product finish option tab you should also keep in mind that we cannot accept returns on Stone County Premium Finishes, which are consider to be a custom item.
Natural Black:
Natural Black is the standard finish for any piece we produce, and is a more durable replication of the iron finishes of old. It is a deep gray-black finish, and is provided at no additional charge.
Antique Copper:
Antique Copper is a multi-layered finish that contrasts a rich copper burnish against the natural black background. These copper tones are applied by hand by our finish artisans and vary slightly from piece to piece.
Gunmetal:
Gunmetal is a beautiful pewter-like metallic finish that is applied after forging. It enhances the unique look of forged iron by highlighting textures and hammer marks in the metal surfaces.
Hand Rubbed Brass:
Hand Rubbed Brass is a finish designed to high-light the hammer marks and forged-iron textures with lighter, brassy tones. The effect is a warm richness which showcases the character of the work.
Hand Rubbed Bronze:
Hand Rubbed Bronze is a deep, rich finish that varies with the design and character of the iron substrate. It brings a bronze hue to more jentle textures, and breathes life and realism into pine bark textures.
Hand Rubbed Ivory:
Hand Rubbed Ivory requires several steps to produce the rich warmth of a natural ivory background with hints of gold accentuating the beautiful textures of the hand forged iron.
Hand Rubbed Pewter:
Hand Rubbed Pewter is a multi-layered finishing process that produces contrast, highlighting the raised portions of the iron surfaces. It is a hand applied finish and will vary some from piece to piece.
Rust:
Rust is a popular faux finish that replicates the real thing beautifully. It is a stippling process that layers the rust finish over a darker under-coat. It looks great with wood or copper and adds interest to any piece.
Woodland Brown:
Woodland Brown is a wonderful effect, producing texture upon texture. The brown dappling is hand applied by our finish artisans, over a natural black background. It works weill on textured or flat surfaces.
Gold Accent:
Gold Accents are typically selected to highlight or showcase a particular design element such as a wrap, leaf, rivet, curl, or pine cone. Using Real Gold, The accents are hand applied and have a way of really making the piece.
Copper Accent:
Copper Accents are typically selected to highlight or showcase a particular design element such as a wrap, leaf, rivet, curl or pine cone. Using bright copper, the accents are hand applied, providing a crowning touch.
