pipedreamer

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pipedreamer
Posts: 1056
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:25 pm

pipedreamer

Post by pipedreamer »

Real name:John Fordham
Age:68
Location:Melbourne fla.
Years a pipe smoker:54
How you got into pipe making:I saw some high quality pipes and fell in love.A gift of an up and coming maker named Nording, a 9mm hooked me.Gave away my other pipes.Never looked back.
Other interesting facts:Worked part time and weekends in a pipe shop, repairing, refinishing and selling pipes for $1.15 an hour.Learned to make a basic pipe from scratch.I just turned 17 and auditioned for Navy musician program ended up all over the world in Show Band.Made pipes for many at this time with great tools on aircraft carrier.At discharge continued as musician in NYC for 2 years, Moved back to fl. became Firefighter and Paramedic, started college.Became R.N.went into Army Special Forces unit as P.A.Nurse and clinical Wardmaster(Hard Striper)carried out combat medic duties in an A team.After this served apprenticeship and became Gunsmith, which I did for some years. Made pipes here and there due to my and others' needs.Overwhelmed with work I sold the business(15 hours a dayx7days a week) and glad to hide out as a Nurse traveling several states.Went to grad school at Emory, then went back to work as an E.R. and Trauma Nurse.Started making pipes again, sold them by word of mouth.I came across the Forum several years ago by accident and was impressed with Kut Huhn, Wayne Teipen and Todd Benard, Nate and the beloved Scottie.I had move up the state to melbourne and was smoking a cigar with a friend and he commented on a pipe in a magazine while we were loafing in the lounge.I opened my big mouth and said "You like that?"That started it again and now 3 lathes and more tools than I can count, I'm facing 69 turning out a pipe here and there and in spite of the sting of life still enjoy my pipes and The craftsmen that make them.I have seen a lot and hope the trends and egos can find a way to get along.I was helped by many that gave not only their time , but their skills, freely!
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sparkyspipes
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:05 am
Location: McCall, Idaho
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Re: pipedreamer

Post by sparkyspipes »

wow that is some serious life experience right their.
Good to meet you, and Thank You for your Military Service.
sparky (sparkyspipes)
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pipedreamer
Posts: 1056
Joined: Mon Jan 07, 2013 6:25 pm

Re: pipedreamer

Post by pipedreamer »

Sparky, you know me from Facebook! Thanks, I feel the years. That was the short version. LOL!!!!!
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sparkyspipes
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Feb 27, 2015 2:05 am
Location: McCall, Idaho
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Re: pipedreamer

Post by sparkyspipes »

pipedreamer wrote:Sparky, you know me from Facebook! Thanks, I feel the years. That was the short version. LOL!!!!!
:D
sparky (sparkyspipes)
The Pipe Carvers Guild
thepipecarversguild.com
Skype: Sparkyspipes
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/sparkys.home.3
Web Site: http://sparkyspipes.com/
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/SparkysPipes
instagram: sparkyspipes
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