Conley Myers putting the finishing touches on my new handrail. My mom and I love it.
A Labor of Love
Living in the West Rowan area near Salisbury, NC, I’m surrounded by neighbors willing to lend a hand when someone is sick or in need. A couple of weeks ago when my mom moved in with me, it wasn’t long until my next door neighbor, Conley Myers, stopped by asking what he could do to help.
Conley owns Piedmont Classical Iron, LLC, so I quickly explained I could use some handrails. A few days later Conley was on my front steps putting up the most beautiful handrails ever. Conley is proud of the legacy and work ethic associated with Piedmont Classical having inherited the business from his dad, Joe Myers, who passed away in 2013.
Growing up on a dairy farm and later serving in the Air Force, Joe had a gift for fixing things. He even taught himself to weld. As a young man living at Myrtle Beach with his wife, Bonnie, Joe heard stories of an expert blacksmith named Richard Johnson. Wanting to learn the trade, Joe stopped by Richard’s one day and asked if he would teach him. At first Richard said he didn’t have the time, but as luck would have it not long after that conversation, Richard received a large order and needed help. It was then Joe began working with Richard, learning how to make handrails.
Joe soon discovered Richard had learned to blacksmith from a guy in Morocco who had been friends with Pablo Picasso. Joe couldn’t remember the guy’s name, but felt lucky to meet him when he came to visit. Joe said, “He spoke a language I didn’t understand, but the hammer and anvil spoke for him. Getting to work with him were some of the most memorial moments of my life. I actually met the teacher who taught the teacher.”
In 1991 Bonnie and Joe came home to live, moving in with Bonnie’s parents, Margaret and Melvin Shook, next door to me. While there, Joe began experimenting in the old barn with his new love of blacksmith work. One day in the barn, Joe picked up a nail, bending it into the shape of a fish. The symbol of the fish stands for “fishers of men,” while the nail is symbolic of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. Gradually the idea for a new business called Ironfish took shape. Ironfish is a name taken from the Bible, describing how as Christians we should be “fishers of men”.
Although the idea seemed to come out of nowhere, Joe always believed it was God inspired as a result of his Emmaus walk. It was through the Emmaus walk he began to understand what the life of Jesus meant and how as Christians we’re supposed to have a personal relationship with him.
With both businesses flourishing everyone was shocked to learn in the spring of 2013 that Joe had leukemia. A few months later he passed away. Conley knew now it was up to him to continue his dad’s legacy. Although he had some knowledge of the business Conley said he has learned some things by trial and error and often asks, “What would Dad do?”
Little did Joe know years ago when forming his business ventures how far reaching his talents would extend and what a testimony he would leave behind. People around the world now have purchased items such as key rings, pins and pendants through Ironfish, as a symbol of their Christian beliefs. Through the efforts of Piedmont Classical people are enjoying beautiful handrails made first by Joe and now Conley.
To learn more about Piedmont Classical Iron, LLC, contact Conley through his Facebook page or website. To learn more about Ironfish, check out the website link here.
Have you made a purchase from Piedmont Classical Iron, or Ironfish? Did you know Joe? If so, share some of his stories or leave a comment below, message on Facebook, or email dicysm@yahoo.com.
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
