Etna - Lining the walls of John Calderwood's office is proof of decades of hard work.

After 21 years in the Coast Guard, followed by 30 more shoeing horses, it would seem the only thing missing from here is a sign of retirement.

"I don't think I'm going to ever live long enough to accomplish everything I want to accomplish," said Calderwood.

Maybe that's why after a failed attempt at retiring years ago, John has given in to a lifelong labor of love.

"As far as I'm concerned, it's a great way to spend a retirement."

Here is where he's built a new career as a blacksmith.

"I work down here seven days a week. Sometimes I wake up at two or three o'clock in the morning with an idea. I'll come down here and fire up the forge."

Working with nothing more than his hands, some tools and a lot of horseshoes, he's perfected the art of making something out of nothing.

"Anybody can take a piece of hot iron with a hammer and do something to it, but the secret to this is hitting it in the right spot," said Calderwood.

He's turned piles of scrap metal into anything from the tools he uses to structures that he intends to sell for thousands.

"The nice thing about this, these things, like I said should last forever."

And while elsewhere, the number of blacksmiths in the workforce appears to be dwindling, John's workload is doubling.

In fact, he's already teaching a young student the tricks of the trade.

So that, perhaps, when he finally does retire, there will be a new generation to forge on.

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