Meet Joy Fire | Artist, blacksmith, welder, teacher, designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joy Fire and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joy, why did you pursue a creative career?
There was never one singular moment where I knew what I wanted to do and decided to pursue it. Rather, there were many small moments, each one that leading me further along a path to where I am now. I was lucky to have college as an option and the support of my parents for to pursue whatever I was interested in. Initially I started as an English major, because I have always loved literature and thought that English was a little more practical than art. I also struggled with believing that I was good enough to “be an artist”. After about a year however, I switched to art because I realized that’s what I enjoyed more. Again, I am very grateful to my parents for not questioning this decision. I don’t know if it would be the best for everyone, but I guess it worked out for me! In college I continued to pursue the art that I was interested in and followed where that path took me. Eventually this led to discovering blacksmithing and finding a local business that took me on as an apprentice. I knew what I enjoyed and had the energy and ability to pursue it and was able to figure out a way to support myself financially doing what I enjoyed. If I had been exposed to working in craft or the trades at a younger age, I might have discovered my interest in welding, blacksmithing, and metal fabrication sooner, but my path to it was somewhat accidental and through arts education rather than industrial education.
I left the job where I initially learned blacksmithing because I moved with my partner for him to attend graduate school. I started my own business, Joy Fire Blacksmith, simply as a way to continue doing what I loved. I had a skill, I had the tools, and I believed with these skills I could produce projects that people would be willing to pay for. It was only by sharing costs and tools with my partner and another friend of ours that I was able to afford to do this.
It was somewhat by accident that I became a teacher in these fields as well. I began by training new coworkers at my initial job and realized that I enjoyed it and was good at it. When my partner and I moved, I found an opportunity to teach blacksmithing classes through a community education program at a local community college. After getting to know some of the professors there, I was eventually hired as a part time welding teacher. I am very grateful to have this teaching job because it provides me with a small but consistent income. I also am very lucky to have the financial and emotional support of my partner, without whom I would not have the stability I enjoy to pursue my interests. I am very fortunate to be where I am today, to have the freedom to pursue my artistic interests and the space to be able to find ways to use these interests and my skills to support myself financially. I am very grateful!

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I know so many other artists that are more talented than me, so one of the hardships can sometimes be just finding the motivation to continue pursuing my work. I have to remind myself that I am not supposed to produce something that is the same as someone else, I can only make what I can make, what comes from my own mind and skill. Not comparing myself to others is a constant lesson I teach myself. But in the end, I always remember that I love what I do. I love forging. It is physically difficult and very sweaty and dirty, but it is so absorbing and fascinating. Plus, the result is that I have made something that never existed before. It might not be perfect, it might not be as “good” as what someone else could make, but it came from my mind and labor, and there is nothing that can replace that satisfaction. It does not feel true to say that I am just an artist or just a teacher, or just a blacksmith, so I call myself all these things. But even this mentality itself flows from blacksmithing. Forging is a craft and an art and a science, you have to be competent at all these things to be a successful blacksmith. Plus, you have to be willing to get dirty, which is my favorite part! At its core blacksmithing is problem solving. How do I shape the metal the way I want to shape it? Can I make a tool to make this thing better? Is this strong enough, is this design pleasing, will this be comfortable to use, how can I make this most efficiently? These are all questions I ask and answer as a blacksmith. Forging isn’t the only thing I enjoy however, and I know it’s not something that it is possible for everyone to do, so I encourage folks to find something that satisfies them in a similar way. Find something you can do and work at it, struggle a little, get better, make something with your own two hands, and I think you will find your life will be more enjoyable because of it!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My blacksmith shop/art studio is in Santa Ana, so we would spend some time there first. During the day we would explore the Heritage Museum, checking out the historical blacksmith shop, gospel swamp garden, and learning about the history of the area. If it was the first Saturday of the month, we would go to the art walk downtown and visit some galleries. Maybe get some tacos at one of the many delicious taco trucks in the area, some ice cream at La Michocana, or a tasty drink at Cerveza Cito Brewery, I love their Micheladas and slushys! On a weekday I might have them join me in my shop to try out some forging, and we would get a tasty bite and healthy smoothie at Jugos Aculpoco just across the street. To get out in nature we would go hiking in Chino Hills state park, where there are miles of trails to enjoy. We might have to cool off with another trip to a La Michocana, their tamarind ice cream is my favorite! On a hot day we would check out Northstar beach in Newport, where we would bring our kayak and paddle around the back bay, maybe grab some veggie nachos at Taqueria El Zamorano after. Or, for some more exercise and a nice restful and educational time, we would go to the arboretum at Cal State Fullerton to see some turtles and learn about trees. On a Thursday we would check out the farmer’s market in downtown Fullerton and get my favorite empanadas at the Gourmet Empanadas food stall. Be sure to get extra sauce because it’s the best! To finish up the night we would stop by Barrel and Stave, a serve yourself pour house where we would sample a wide variety of beers, wine, and ciders. We would also have to have a pizza party one night in my backyard in La Habra. Our homemade woodfired pizza oven makes the best pizzas you’ve ever had, but I’m afraid this particular location is open by invite only!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First I’d like to shoutout to my parents, for cultivating curiosity and supporting me in pursuing what I loved. Second, a big shoutout to my partner Chris for his unconditional love and constant encouragement. He is my business advisor, design consultant, art critic, discussion partner, idea generator, comedic relief expert, and best friend. Third, I would like to thank my incredibly cute daughter who made Chris and I a family just three months ago. You are everything to me precious Brenna! And of course, many thanks to the many teachers, friends, and mentors I have had the privilege to know throughout the years. Dan and Andy Patterson, Kyle Luker, Jeffrey Funk, Michael Lannom, and so many folks in the California Blacksmith Association, just to name a few. Lastly, such a huge shout out to the organization Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths, which provides grants and educational support for women, POC, LGBTQ+ folks, and others who are marginalized in the field of blacksmithing.

Website: joyfireblacksmith.com

Instagram: Joyfire

Other: inclusiveblacksmiths.com

Image Credits
Keri Oberly, Pierce Kelly Valenzuela