Featured Artists

Colby Smith

What began at an evening high school foundry course in 1976 has evolved into a studio craft that makes these original door knockers a functional art form. This craftsmanship is distinguished by: multiple metal casting methods, alloys, finishes and patinas, mechanical and welded assembly and hand-tooled texture and detail.

Colby Smith Door Knockers have been designed, created and sold for nearly 30 years.  Including his wife, Jane, this is a two person operation. 

The original design is usually modeled in wax.  That design is then cast and made into a metal pattern that is used in a sand mold.  The sand molding, using either yellow or red brass, is poured at a local art foundry.  The raw casting is finished and assembled in our workshop.  Finishing the metal involves various shaping, smoothing or texturing techniques using hand and power tools.  The door knockers are assembled either mechanically or welded.  Many of the pieces are patinated with chemicals and given a hand rubbed finish.  We also provide nickel plating on any of the designs.  In most cases, they are finished by dipping in an acrylic lacquer.