MEET JONATHAN

     Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Jonathan Thiele attended Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington. He graduated from Whitman in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Studio Art, with an emphasis in sculpture. From 2000 – 2001 Jonathan learned the finer points of metal working at the Walla Walla Foundry where he worked as a welder and chaser until his return to Phoenix. After returning to Arizona, he furthered his metal-working experience at Arizona Bronze from 2002 – 2005, also working as a welder and metal chaser.

     In 2005, he opened and operated his own custom fabrication shop in Tempe, Arizona called All Elements until 2007 when Jonathan took an opportunity to live and work in Solingen, Germany. While in Solingen, he had the good fortune of working for a fifth generation blacksmithing company by the name of Metallobjekte Hoffmann where he acquired machining skills. He also learned to work with stainless, to fold Damascus steel and began the study of knife-smithing. After two years, Jonathan returned to Phoenix and continued his education at Mesa Community College, attending their welding program. He has since worked from his studio with a home-made forge and hammer, ready to create whatever the next customer desires.