Local artist will demonstrate unique blacksmith talents at Hometown event

Hometown Louisiana not only joins friends and family together for a day, it also offers its visitors a chance to view and buy original arts and crafts.
With over 100 vendors last at last years event, HL organizers are expecting more diverse artist and craftsmen for festival goers to enjoy.
Bastrop resident Daniel Sharp and his wife Anna are both planning to attend the event as vendors.
While she's a painter whose talent is creating people's personal portraits, he practices the art of blacksmithing, but at a higher standard.
“I went to farrier school in Oklahoma and got my start there, learning to make horseshoes,” he said. “I go to clinics as often as I can and I learn from other farriers, as their apprentice.”
Daniel explained how a farrier is more trained than the typical blacksmith.
“A farrier not only makes horseshoes, they specialize in horses' feet,” he said. “Really, a farrier should know more than a veterinarian when it comes to horses' feet because that's all they deal with.”
Daniel said he works with clients who he regularly checks on during a six-week-cycle of “upkeep.”
“I go around to my regular customer's homes and change out their horses' shoes on a regular basis,” he said. “I maintain the horses' shoes so that they don't grow up over the hoof or anything else that could cause the horse a lot of pain.”
Daniel and Anna both attended HL last year, but only Anna had a booth.
“I had my paintings on display and Daniel passed out cards and let people know what he does,” Anna said. “Last year I was able to meet a lot of people. It was great to see all the talent in Northeast Louisiana.”
Anna will have a booth set up this year with samples of her work on display, including one of her and Daniel, and another of their six-month-old son, Jude.
She'll be taking orders for people who would like to have personalized portraits painted to give as Christmas gift.
Daniel will have a booth as well, demonstrating his talent as a farrier.
“I grew up here in Bastrop and I remember when the festival use to be at the Farmer's Market,” he said. “I can't wait to see a lot of faces I know as well as meet many new friends. I'm also looking forward to it being in the arena this year. We can't wait.”
HL will be from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Nov. 3 at the Morehouse Activity Center.
Anyone interested in renting a booth should call the Visitor Center at 281.0911.