Sometimes, things just seem to work out. This morning, Sat., Aug. 4/07, I went early to my favorite restaurant for blueberry pancakes, eggs, and crisp bacon, then did some overdue maintenance on Der Bug. Finally couldn’t stand it anymore, and took off with the vague idea of exploring the area 15 or 20 miles north around the lower Nambé Lake and Falls, and………?? There’s a very popular restaurant/store in the village of Tesuque, (Tay-SOOK-ay) about 5 miles north, where I planned to pick up some travel munchies. As usual I got sidetracked. On the way I noticed a small sign - “Shidoni Foundry, 2 miles.” Hmmm - maybe….?? This foundry is famous for its’ excellent bronze statues. Would it be possible to watch a pour ?? I pulled into the parking lot, and was immediately hugely impressed. Ever seen a 10 ft. high horse ?? In bronze ??. Der Bug is dwarfed…………

I was in awe. Walked over to the showroom, which is much more than just a bronze showroom, and was greeted by a rack of big bells. I couldn’t resist, and carefully, gently bonged a couple of them. The one in the center between the 2 blue ones, when struck gently had a rich, mellow tone that is really great. The big one on the left had a similar tone when struck harder. I think I like the center one best, tho’. All $450.00 worth of it. (no, I didn’t buy one)……..

All this noise brought the saleslady, Jan Harris - a real lady of much class and charm - out to investigate. She struck a very nice balance between attentive and informative, but not pushy or aggressive. What a pleasure. We talked some about the bells and the showroom, then I asked about watching a pour at the foundry. Lucky Lar, for once. It was around 10:00 AM by then, and Jan told me there’d be a pour at 1:00 PM, and to come a little early. There are 3 pours each Saturday, and only on Saturdays…..and this was Saturday. HooooRay ! ! !

Early last April I had gone to nearby Rio en Medio for a hike, and had tried to go up the Pacheco Canyon road to above Hyde Park, near the Santa Fe ski area. Nope - road closed till April 15th. Hmmm…..gots 2½ hours to kill, less than a mile from the turnoff, the road’s open now, and Der Bug loves dirt roads - no brainer. I’ll tell the story of that nice ride on the “Pacheco Canyon” page.

Going from the showroom to the foundry is like walking thru a park. Statuary of all types on display on the grass between the trees, people strolling, picnic-ing, kids playing. Very nice………..

Among several other types, here’s some bronzes………

and another, made by a different process……….

Lest you wonder where I get my information, and lest you think they give these things away………..

Yah ! ! ! Talk about a surprised frog - that hand came out of nowhere……….

And, of course, the obligatory semi-nude - very nicely done in bronze……….

There was another, full nude, so beautifully done I ½ expected her to speak, but best not show that one in public.

Ol’ Lar is a compulsive early arriver, and today that paid off. I was at the foundry by 12:30 PM and other people were already arriving. Took a look at the 3 available watching areas and decided I was already in the best spot for an over-all view, so stayed put - right in the front corner of the north side. Not long after, the area was jammed solid behind me. Smart Lar ! ! ! Soon the technicians began checking their equipment - ahead of schedule…..and here one checks the crucible holding the molten bronze. The noise level from the huge burners was enuf that these pros all wore earplugs………..

OK, that’s where they melt the stuff, but what’s this ??…………

Dunno….but now things are starting to pop. A check with the thermometer, and a scoop with a ladle showed the metal to be ready to pour, so off comes the insulation, and in the background the pot is lifted off its’ stand………

Ahhhh Sooooo…….that was a huge torch aimed into it, and pre-heating it. Looks like a big gun barrel, doesn’t it ?? Things are becoming more clear………..

The molten bronze is poured from the crucible into the pot……..

Right down to the last drop………

Forgetting somethin’, Lar ?? Oh Yah, gotta have somepin’ to pour it into, eh ?? I know (I think) from previous reading, etc. that the artist will sculpt his (her) piece from wax, which is then coated with plaster, baked, and the molten wax poured out, leaving a plaster mold. Like here, right ??………

Uh…..nope. These, it turned out, were for the later pouring this day. Now the function of that other huge furnace across the way became apparent……….

Another rack of molds, wrapped in insulation and pre-heated. Makes sense, now that I think about it. That hot metal hitting a cold mold would shatter the thing, and chill the metal too quickly. Smart folks, eh ?? The 3 person team had kind of stroked around up till now, showing off a bit and getting ready. Once they started the pour tho’, the fooling around stopped and they showed themselves to be a very smooth, efficient team. I had to watch carefully and be ready, ’cause things went fast now. The pre-heated molds were swung over to the sand pit, the pot lifted, and the pour started……….

This was really neat, and they never missed. Wish I was that good with my breakfast cereal milk……..

When the pour was finished, the remnants - very little - were poured back into the crucible for the next go-round………..

Now, into the next showroom, next to the foundry. There were many bookshelf sized items, many with a Native American motif……..

And some that were distinctly different. The detail and imagination were awesome. I could swear that woman is looking at me…………

I could use that word a lot around this place……….the whole thing was awesome.

A week later I called and asked if it would be possible to see the clean up procedure after the bronze has cooled.  “Certainly,” was the reply and the following Tuesday I went back and was treated like royalty.  The page on “Shidoni 3″ will be upcoming soon.

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Posted: October 19th, 2007 under 07-8-4 Shidoni Foundry 2, 08 New Mexico.
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