‘Somebody’s junk is my treasure’

A Q&A with metal artist Ron Doetzel

By Beverly Lomosad

Ron Doetzel had experienced how no two days are alike at the farm. He also experienced how farm-life situations were a great teacher. “When something breaks down,” he said, “you better learn quick how to fix it, or it would cost a lot of money otherwise to get outside help.” So, he learned how to fix things on his own. He learned how to weld, for example. Little did he know that the skill sets he inadvertently acquired at the farm would influence the course of his life after he quit farming, and as he searched for a new, post-retirement calling.

Please tell us a little bit about yourself, including how you get started with smithing.
In 2011, I decided to quit farming after doing it for 30 years, sold my farm and moved east of Webster. I grain-farmed and cattle-farmed. Alongside farming, I also ran a sawmill for 21 years, which I sold in 2005. Years ago, people built their own shops and garages and things like that. I relied on ranchers, farmers and oil companies to buy my lumber. Now, people mostly buy pre-fabricated structures built somewhere else. The arrival of pre-fabrication changed my world big time, since the sawmill business was my main source of income. Life was busy. I logged in the wintertime and sold lumber in the summer, when I’m supposed to be also haying. So, I reached a point where I was worn out. And so were my farming machinery – and I didn’t want to buy new equipment and machinery anymore, so I knew it was time to quit.

I had some vague idea of what I was going to do in retirement, but a chance meeting with the manager of the Debolt Farmers Market caused me to rethink my plan. I ended up becoming a farmers market vendor, showcasing metal craft ornaments. My first time as a farmers market vendor was in 2011 at the Debolt Christmas Farmers Market, about three months after I quit farming and relocated to Webster. I had a great time, and I thought my sales were pretty good for a first-time vendor. I have been going to different farmers markets ever since.

You must have done some sort of metal crafting before, or haven’t you?
Life situations at the farm could force you to be flexible and innovate. When something breaks down, for example, you better learn quick how to fix it, or it would cost a lot of money otherwise to get outside help. So, I learned how to weld as machinery broke down and needed fixing.

A lot of the metals you fashion things out of are used. Where do you get them from?
Some are given to me by individuals. I also retrieve some from the landfill in Woking. So, somebody’s junk is my treasure.

Could you take us through your creative process from concept to the final product?
A lot of times, I sketch my designs on paper. Creative ideas come to me all the time even while I’m watching TV or reading a paper. And sometimes a creative idea would keep me awake at night while I’m in bed. I think what I’m doing now is a gift. My interaction with people at the farmers market as well as my customers also plays a big part in my creative process. Sometimes people would ask me to do something for them and bring, say, a photo that I could pattern the design after. A lot of times, however, people leave the product creation all up to me. Some of the stuff that I now regularly bring to the farmers markets have undergone a lot of improvements from when I first made them. So, over time, some of my products have evolved both in terms of aesthetics and functionality.

Do you charge extra for custom orders?
No. I would charge the same price as I would sell it at the farmers market. However, I would ask for a deposit if (1) I don’t know the customer, and (2) if the order is something I’m not sure I can sell in the event the customer decides to bail out and cancel.

What is usually your turn-around time for custom orders?
Turn-around time depends obviously on how complex and intricate the design is. But I probably should be able to make most of the orders within 2-3 hours. In the beginning, some of the orders were quite a challenge to make. Now, they’re part of the things I bring to the farmers markets regularly.

What are some of your tools?
I use the bandsaw a lot. I also use a drill and a grinder. And, since a lot of my materials require rust removal, I always keep a wire brush handy.

Why metal and not wood?
I actually did wood furniture first. I find that metal is more forgiving of mistakes. For instance, if I cut a metal by mistake, I can usually weld it back together. That’s not always possible with wood. I also find that it’s more difficult to fashion something out of metals, but I love the challenge. The challenge is what made me decide to stick with metal.

What has your experience been like at farmers markets? And which farmers markets in the area can people catch you at?
Thanks to the farmers markets, I’ve found a new calling, if you will, in life. My experience at the Christmas market in Debolt in 2011 had encouraged me to make more stuff, which I then brought to farmers markets in Clairmont, Beaverlodge, Rycroft and Peace River. At one point, I also went to Dawson Creek. I now live in Woking after six-and-a-half years in Webster. So, I tend to go to farmers markets closer to me. I now mainly go to Rycroft and occasionally Peace River for the regular markets. For Christmas, I go to Rycroft, Spirit River, Grande Prairie and Webster. It was at the farmers markets that my metal crafts have expanded. I feel like I got bigger every year.

Sounds like it’s been a lot of fun for you.
This has been a good retirement hobby for me. It gives my brains something to keep going. Otherwise, what would I do? I know I need to stop at some point. The arthritis in my right hand is slowing me down a little bit. But I will continue for as long as I can.

What do you do when you’re not busy in your workshop?
I have a trapline, which I set up west of Moonshine Lake. I check it on Mondays and have coffee with the other trappers there for an hour or two then head back home.