Five miles west of Dripping Springs on Lonesomesage Longhorn Ranch is the inspirational setting where Gary Thompson forges copper and brass into native plants of the Southwest.

Born in Austin, Texas, Gary’s introduction to forging metal began at the early age of 5 and for 10 summers watched  his Swedish grandfather, Carl Pearson, forge  steel in his Elroy, Texas Blacksmith Shop.  There Gary ran barefoot, playing with hammers and anvils, watching his grandpa weld and sharpen discs for the local farmers.  Gary’s craftsmanship lineage goes back another generation to Gary’s great grandfather, Ohr Pearson, a cabinet maker, who made fine furniture and cabinets at the Texas State Capitol.