New Release and the Art of Pierced Tin

Hello everyone, Winnie Griggs here.

On the 25^th of this month, Her Amish Patchwork Family, the third book in my Hope’s Haven series, releases. This book features Martha, the oldest of the three Eicher sisters. Martha’s hero is Asher Lentz who is taking care of his family’s farm, raising his deceased brother’s four children and looking after his grandmother. But more than that, Asher has a rather unusual side job—he creates pierced tin pieces.

I’ve always been intrigued by pierced tin work and really love the look of them, so this was a fun addition to the story for me. But I knew absolutely nothing about the creative side of it. So writing a hero with that particular skill required that I do some research. Especially since one of the scenes I had in mind would have Asher attempt to teach Martha the basics.  So I poured over oodles of images from the very simple to the uber complex. I also studied catalogues of tools and found there are a surprising variety of punches – different shapes and sizes. And I found several how-to instructions and some even more helpful how-to videos. In the end, I was able to write the following scene with at least some degree of confidence

“That’s a beautiful pattern you’re working with today. Is it one you designed yourself?”

He nodded.

She sighed. “I know it’s wrong but sometimes it’s difficult not to be envious of creative people like you and my shveshtra.”

She thought of him as creative?

“I just enjoy seeing the way a simple piece of metal is transformed into something so lovely under your hands.”

He twisted around to face her more fully. “Would you like to try it for yourself?” he asked impulsively.

She held her palms up. “I haven’t the skill. I wouldn’t even know how to get started.”

“I’ll talk you through it.” He grinned. “You can use a piece of scrap tin if that’ll make you feel better.”

That seemed to ease her concerns and she gave him a delighted grin. “In that case I think I would like to give it a try.”

“Gut.” He pointed to the notebook. “Look through those and pick out a pattern that appeals to you.”

While she did that, he selected an irregularly shaped scrap that had a large enough surface for her to work with, then placed it on the table. He studied Martha’s bent head as she thumbed through the design pattern pages.

Asher smiled. She seemed to be studying them very intently, taking the selection as seriously as she took everything else she attempted.

Finally Martha straightened and pointed. “How about the star in the corner of this pattern? It seems simple enough.”

He studied it then nodded. “Gut choice. And it’ll fit wonderful gut on this piece of tin.” He grabbed a pair of scissors and cut out the appropriate section of the pattern. He then smoothed the paper design over the tin and taped it carefully in place. “Now you’re all set to get started.”

“I’m afraid I’ll need a little more direction than that,” she said drily.

He grinned. “So now I’m the teacher and you’re the scholar.”

She lifted her chin at a haughty angle. “I’m not too proud to take the role of student when needed.”

The glimmer in her eyes let him know she wasn’t really offended so he merely smiled. “Okay. First your tools.” He pulled one of the punches from his rack along with a hammer and handed both to her. “These should work for your first lesson. Take the punch in your left hand and the hammer in your right.” As she complied he picked up the punch and hammer he’d been working with earlier. “Pick out a spot on the pattern you want to start with and position your punch on top of it, like so.”

She mimicked his action then looked to him for confirmation.

The trust in Martha’s expression, even over so simple a matter, made Asher feel like an authority. “Hold the punch firmly so it doesn’t slip and keep it upright.”

***

Martha followed his directions as his patient, concise instructions put her at ease. She shifted slightly to take firmer hold of the tools, then gave him an I’m-ready look.

“Next, take the hammer and give it a light tap, just enough to make an impression in the metal.”

She watched as he demonstrated. It seemed straightforward enough. Taking a deep breath, she gave it a try. Then she leaned back with a grin. “How was that?”

“Gut.” But his smile was definitely that of a teacher to a scholar who hadn’t gotten it quite right. “In the future, though, you don’t want to move the punch until you make the second strike.”

Her cheeks warmed as she studied the tools in her hands. She knew better from watching him.

“It’s okay,” he assured her. “Just place the punch back in the same spot—you should be able to feel the indentation. Then hit it again, this time firmly enough to pierce the metal.” Again he demonstrated.

So how did one gauge  how much force was required to pierce the metal? It took experience she supposed, experience one could only get from doing. Again she took a deep breath and then hit the punch with her hammer, giving it a satisfying whack. She could tell it went through, but had she done it properly? This time when she turned to him she felt a bit more tentative. “How was that?”

“Perfect. But you can take your punch off the metal now.”

Sheepishly she relaxed her grip and lifted the punch.

Asher nodded approvingly. “That’s all there is to it. You move to the next spot on the pattern and repeat the process. The key is to precisely hit the spots indicated on the pattern and to try to hit the punch with the same force to create uniform-sized punches.”

That made sense.

Then he smiled. “Remember, this is just a practice piece, intended to get you comfortable with the tools and help you develop the proper rhythm. You’re not doing it for anyone but yourself.”

“I’ll try to keep that in mind.” As she went to work, she was acutely aware of Asher watching her. She understood now why he’d hesitated when she first asked to watch him at work.

But after a few minutes she fell into a rhythm of sorts and his presence no longer bothered her. At one point she became aware that he had returned to work on his own piece. Before long she relaxed and forgot everything but the piece she was working on.

She was about a third of the way through the pattern when Rowdy barked, startling her mid-swing. The hammer missed the punch and caught her on the index finger. Unable to swallow her yelp of pain, Martha dropped the tools and cradled her left hand with her right.

Asher was immediately at her side, his expression one of deep concern. “What happened? Are you hurt?”

She shook her head, trying to force her eyes to stop watering. “I’m sure it’s nothing.” She attempted a convincing smile. “I shouldn’t have let the hammer slip. The finger’s throbbing but it’ll be okay in just a minute.”

“Don’t be silly.” He made a give-it-here gesture. “Let me have a look.”

She tentatively placed her hand in his.

He lightly cradled it, studying her fingers with bent-head focus.

His touch was surprisingly gentle as he turned her hand to examine it. His own hands were callused and she saw the scar on his right thumb, the slight crook to his pinkie. These were the hands of a man, not a boy. A man who didn’t shy away from a hard day’s work. But they were also the hands of an artist, a producer of beautiful creations. He was both an artist and a laborer, someone any woman would be lucky to have as her mann.

Then she drew herself up short. Her thoughts were headed in very inappropriate direction—not only was he her employer but he was four years younger than she was.

So there you have a sneak peak into my upcoming book. I hope you enjoyed it.

Let me know what you think of pierced tin pieces, whether you own any or would like to for a chance to win an advanced copy of Her Amish Patchwork Family (or any book from my backlist).

HER AMISH PATCHWORK FAMILY

A former schoolteacher and a single father discover a second chance at friendship, family, and love.

Former Hope’s Haven schoolteacher, Martha Eicher, has always been the responsible one, putting her family first and caring for her widowed father and two younger sisters. But now they’re all happily married, and Martha isn’t sure where she fits in anymore . . . until she hears that Asher Lantz needs a nanny. Even though her childhood friendship with Asher ended abruptly years ago, when a misunderstanding drove a wedge between them, Martha offers her assistance.

Asher is also feeling adrift. As a single father to his niece and nephews, he struggles to balance his new family responsibilities with those on the farm and in his workshop. He’s grateful for Martha’s help, but worries things will always feel awkward with her. Yet before long, Asher realizes Martha is exactly what his family needs, and he can’t imagine his home without her.

Martha and Asher thought they were lost, but could they be right where they belong . . . together?

PURCHASE LINK