Kelvin learned many skills as a boy growing up on a farm in Kansas, including welding. His childhood passion of inventing, designing and creating metal objects never left him. After college, 20 years, and several unsatisfying careers, he finally realized he needed to get back to what he really enjoyed – working with his hands. In 1993 he gave out homemade welded gifts for Christmas. His iron angels were so well received he decided to continue making them as a hobby. He subsequently quit his day job to become a full-time metal artist and set up Celestial Ironworks as a business in 1995. Schartz spends his days – and many nights – in his studio designing, cutting, grinding, welding and pounding his creations into reality. Kelvin recently was a finalist in two categories for the prestigious Niche award at the February 2004 Buyers’ Market of American Craft in Philadelphia. His Prairie wall clock took first place in the clocks category.