You've found the home of BobArt in Boise, Idaho
I've been creating unique pieces of yard and home art for about 6 years now. My first attempt was done with a Miller Thunderboldt stick welder and a craftsman scroll saw with a metal cutting blade. A friend saw the piece (a heron set in cattails) and asked if I'd make her one for her new house. It was the first work I ever sold -- the cost -- a new scroll saw since I burned mine up making the second heron!
From that point on I've experimented with various metals and found a niche using recycled materials from the local steel recycling yard. I try to produce works that are affordable and highlight the properties of steel without hiding those behind paints. Every piece is hand drawn and hand cut. I polish most pieces down to bare metal and then either heat treat for color or apply a chemical patina using homemade recipes.
Why my work is different
Many "metal artists" you find at the craft fairs and bazaars are selling creations created by a computer design and automatically cut out. Then the piece is either sold as bare metal or maybe painted black. Each of my pieces has been given a specific finish that will enhance the work. Sometimes its rust, sometimes a clear poly seal, sometimes its heat treated and yes, sometimes it's paint. But regardless, each piece has been treated to enhance its own qualities and is unique.
Value
I go to the same art and craft fairs you do in the Boise area. I see what others are charging for their metal work and I know I can make and sell it for less money -- why, because I'm doing it for fun.