Welcome to my blog page. I will be adding blogs to let you know the latest news involving Archie Smith Instruments. You can view past blogs by clicking a blog date at the bottom of the page. (July, 2008-  I am adding some new types of information in the blogs that do not deal specifically with my instruments necessarily, but will provide you information, views, etc. that allow you to see more about what makes me "tick."  I also will stick in an "Opinion Blog" occasionally, but will clearly label it as opinion.  I WELCOME your response to these blogs.  Please let me know what you think.  E-mail me at  info@archiesmithinstruments.com  Thanks)

Those who have seen my work this year have noticed, no doubt, that I have been using more inlays and engraving on my instruments.  The more that I have worked with these techniques, the more ideas that I have developed as to how I would like to pursue this enhancement of my instruments.

The result of this is that, except for special orders, I have no plans to craft any more of the regular or standard bowed psalteries or dulcimers.  Instead, I am going to be concentrating on creating unique and one-of-a-kind instruments using more engraving and inlaying.

This is consistent with my moto of "A Unique Melding of Art and Music" and will allow me to grow as an artist and "push the boundaries of my artisitc envelope," using new materials, techniques and ideas.  I am very excited about this new direction and I truly believe that the best is yet to come.

In my first blog last fall I mentioned the "Masterwork Project" that I did for the Carolina Designer Craftsmen Show in Raleigh Thanksgiving weekend.  The title and details of the piece can now be revealed -- (FANFAIR!) -.  It is entitled "The Persistence of Dali."  It is a psaltery with several figures from the Spanish Artist, Salvador Dali's, famous work, "The Persistence of Memory" with a portrait of Dali looking down on it as if to say, "What the Heck is going on?"  I started work on this piece in June of this year and finished it in November.  The challenge and joy that the work on this piece produced really sparked my desire to pursue this new direction.

As mentioned above, I will not be crafting any more "regular" bowed psalteries or dulcimers, concentrating on the more "embellished" ones.  I still have a number of the "regular" psalteries and dulcimers on hand and will be placing photos and prices on my website until I run out.  I will also be placing photos and prices of some of the new work, "Signature Series" on line as well.  Is you see one that interests you, or one that you have questions about, call me and I will be glad to assist you.  The prices will be posted but the shipping (after Jan. 1st.) will depend on where you live, so call or email me and I can give you an exact price.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!

Check on the Bowed Psaltery and Dulcimer pages for instruments that are available for purchase.  Orders for any of these instruments received UNTIL Jan. 1st. will get FREE SHIPPING!!   Free shipping will end at midnight on Dec. 31, 2007.

Thank you for reading this.  Please call or e-mail me if you have any questions, comments or orders.  Please note - I will be out of town from Friday, Dec. 8 until Sunday, Dec. 16.  I will be able to start sending out new orders by Mon., Dec. 17.

Have a wonderful holiday season and, until my next blog, may peace and joy be yours.

Archie Smith