I have had an interest in working with metal for many years. It has always amazed me how you can take a piece of steel and shape it and make it come to life. It can be both decorative and functional. 

In March 2006, with the support of my husband Marc, I started a search to find out where a course might be available to learn the art of blacksmithing.  I found an Artist Blacksmithing course at the Haliburton School of Fine Arts, a campus of Sir Sandford Fleming College.

Not having my required education, I attempted to write a C.A.T.T. test in hopes of starting the course in September 2006. Needless to say, I failed the test and realized that I needed English and a Math credit to be accepted. I then called the Independent Learning Centre to work on these credits through correspondence as I was working full time.  I was told about the free tutoring offered in Huntsville at the Muskoka Literacy Council. 

I approached Amy, Program Coordinator  at the M.L.C. in June.  She set things up to get started. Still working full time, I started meeting with Jim for English twice a week. I was hoping to have both English and Math completed before Sept. While doing the course I soon realized that my planned time schedule would not be possible.  It was already August and I was not even halfway through my English and hadn’t started the Math. No college this year. 

In October I was laid off from work so I devoted all my time to my school work. I wish I had done it years ago! I tried to get the unemployment program to help with my upgrading and kept running into red tape and brick walls so I gave up and kept going with the M.L.C.  I was still doing my English, but now ready to start my Math, so I once again approached Amy about a Math tutor. Erwin was assigned as my Math tutor and while working with him, we realized the Math I was told to take to get into the course would be of no use to me in the course (it made no sense). Erwin taught me the Math that I would need in the future (that made more sense). 

It is now February 2007, and my English was going well but my Math for the course was proceeding too slowly and I needed to get it done. I took it upon myself to get another tutor at my own cost to do the “course” Math, to get me into the course and Lorraine started tutoring me for this. I still went to Erwin to learn the Math I would need for the trade. Now working with 3 tutors, I decided I should start learning how to use a computer and began working with Steve at M.L.C. to learn the basics skills needed to use a computer. 

I finished my English in May and wrote my exam in June (Thanks to Jim). I finished my Math the end of July and wrote my exam in Aug. (thanks to Lorraine) and got both credits I needed. I am off to college! 

I Started the Artist Blacksmith course in September, 2007. It was very intense. It spanned 14 weeks, consisting of classroom, shop work, and an exam. By the middle of December, 2007, it was all over.  I did it! I really enjoyed the course and learned a lot from it.  The Math I learned from Erwin was very helpful. 

My husband and I decided to build a shop at home. It was a lot of hard work but we had it up and running in March 2008. My husband enjoys working in the shop as much as I do. He works his regular job through the week and helps me in the shop on weekends. I work in my shop fulltime.  

I attended my graduation in May 2008 and received my Artist Blacksmith Certificate at that time. I make it a point of visiting everyone at the M.L.C. whenever I am in Huntsville. I owe it all to the M.L.C. for all their help and support.  If it were not for them I probably would never have made it. I will never forget what they’ve done for me.  I greatly appreciate it and THANK THEM ALL. If I can do it anyone can. The M.L.C. team is all welcome to come and see my shop anytime they like.  I would sure like to see them all there. 

Cheryl Cutler