The fact that Forge Ahead, Jim Barton's eight-year-old ornamental iron company, doesn't have a showroom is in keeping with the man himself. He's not showy in the least.

In fact, his humility makes him engaging in a quiet, solid way. Barton says it best in his straightforward fashion. "We don't have a shop because what's in the shop is what we're working on at the time."

Barton and his daughter, Jamie, at work on precise, preliminary sketches - a critical stage of the creative process.

Right now, the company is working on authentic metal railings for Ancaster's Old Mill, as well as custom iron-tree fencing for a customer's glass pool surround. That's what Barton likes best about his chosen profession. He gets a chance to create a wide variety of useful, beautiful items out of metal in the classic, quality handcrafted manner he has mastered over decades of experience.

Barton's love of ironwork began at 13, when he started working with a local blacksmith shoeing horses. He worked his way to the top of his trade over the course of 20 years. Barton's expertise was such that he was chosen to shoe Big Ben, the famous international award-winner for the Canadian dressage team. Unfortunately, because of a hip injury, he could no longer hold the weight of a horse and was forced to explore other ways to continue his love of working with iron.

So Barton, with determination and courage, began Forge Ahead Ornamental Iron Ltd., located in Guelph. He hasn't looked back.

What he enjoys most is that his family is involved in the enterprise. His wife, Lynn, takes care of marketing and customer service. Following in the footsteps of their older brother, Luke, Barton's other children, Cody and Jamie, work in the shop during the summer months. Even the family dog, Tanner, is on hand to give visitors a friendly welcome.

This wrought iron railing is a marvelous example of Barton's detailed, natural motifs in iron.

"Both my sons and daughter have worked with me and I'm blessed that way because they're good workers," Barton praises. "But it's not an intentional family business. The kids do enjoy it though, and they get a real sense of a good work ethic that pays off in their schooling."

Barton beams as he speaks of his hopes for the future. "I hope to transfer traditional blacksmith skills to a younger generation. I like to see the traditional ways carried on. Ironwork is an honourable trade, where the end product is something unique."

Barton's perspective on ironworking, a physically demanding craft, takes an artistic slant. "I like the natural look. I like to take the cold look of steel and soften it," he says. "I work from skeleton sketches after the

Cody, Barton’s son, works the welding torch in the shop to help create his father’s stunning pieces.

on-site measurements. Sometimes I have to create tools to achieve the exact look I want. After a customer approves the final drawings, the plans go to the drawing table for final crafting." Barton explains that he built his own pneumatic metal hammer, various dyes, a forge and a mechanical rig for splaying the ends of metal bars.

"We're not a welding shop nor a fabrication shop," explains Barton. "We're a traditional ironworking shop. We're not running a no-brainer production line. If we create a good piece at the end of the process, it's because we've thought a lot about it."

Since beginning Forge Ahead, Barton has been surprised by the interest in custom ironwork. "The demand is the greatest since Medieval times. In the last 10 years, the demand has built and built for a variety of things – security-related grills, gates and fencing, as well as roof cresting, garden trellises and outdoor sculptures," he says. "Our motto is: ‘We can do it!' We may not know how, initially, but if it can be done, we'll make it."

Because of his determination, 80 per cent of Barton's clientele is repeat business. During the eight years he's been in business, his firm has never had a callback due to the quality of the workmanship. His galvanized, powder coat finish ensures work that will last. Barton wouldn't have it any other way.

Luke carries on the ironwork tradition as he sands the pieces to perfection.

Customers who need help to visualize concepts can work with Lynn and view a computer disc she's created called Design Ideas. A preview of 600 different projects in various categories-from laser art, to art nouveau, to the traditional-provides a range of possibilities, narrows down the design process and allows people to mix and match styles to suit their preferences.

"We want to serve the customer well," smiles Lynn.

Barton nods in agreement, and amid the orange glow of the forge and the bright sparks from a steel hammer shaping iron, he returns to the work he loves.

Forge Ahead Ornamental Iron Ltd.