Today we’d like to introduce you to Ryan Bircher.
Hi Ryan, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I had a really great high school shop teacher who made a big impression on me. She cared a lot about doing things right — not just how a weld looked, but the importance of a clean, finished project and keeping the workspace organized. That environment made sense to me right away. It was a small school — about a hundred students total, K through 12 — so our teachers knew us well. They knew what we liked, what we were working on, and they gave us some freedom to explore. I spent a lot of study halls and free periods in the shop just learning and experimenting.
A few years after high school, I decided to go to college for welding. I wasn’t totally sure it would become my career, but I loved it — and I figured I could find work doing it just about anywhere. I paid my way through school by working in a bike shop, waiting tables, doing whatever I could. One day, my class toured Tom Balding Bits and Spurs in Sheridan, Wyoming. That visit changed everything for me. The level of craftsmanship, organization, and detail in that shop was on another level. I went back a few days later for a closer look, and they offered me eight hours of work a week. That small start turned into a ten-year career. Working there was incredible — I got to learn from some really talented people, and it opened my eyes to how artistic welding could be. We even ended up being featured on How It’s Made on the Discovery Channel, check it out on Youtube.
By the end of 2019, I decided it was time to take the leap and work for myself. I’d been doing custom projects on the side for years, so stepping into self-employment felt like the next right thing. I wanted to build my own path and see where it would take me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t know if any road like this is ever totally smooth. Covid started shutting things down shortly after I went full time for myself, but some work did flow in. And at the time I owned my home and shop so my overhead was relatively low. Besides gates and handrail I started to make signs for businesses. The signs caught some attention in my town and a few other towns in Wyoming and even into Eastern South Dakota. These were always fun and gave me opportunities to work with other businesses.
My biggest challenge came when I decided to move from Wyoming down to Southern Utah. I didn’t know anyone here, didn’t have a place to live lined up, and didn’t even have a shop yet. But I knew if I was going to pursue sculpture and be part of a larger art community, I needed to make a change — so I just did it. I sold off just about everything except my tools, loaded up with my dog, Baxter; and headed south.
It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. Starting fresh pulled me out of my comfort zone, both personally and professionally. Growth requires challenge, and I got plenty of both.
Running my own business means I have a lot of hats to wear — finding the work, doing the work, handling office stuff, keeping the shop clean, making all the decisions. It’s a lot, but it’s rewarding too. I appreciate what I’ve learned and I’ve met a lot of good people along the way who have inspired, encouraged, and supported this adventure.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I work at the intersection of functional metalwork and sculpture. I build custom gates, railings, furniture and stair systems — things that people live with and use every day — but I also create sculptural pieces that let me explore design and form in a more creative and playful way. The Southern Utah art scene is vibrant and construction is booming. Moving here has pushed me to grow as a fabricator, business owner, and artist.
One of the projects I’m really proud of came through the Harry Bertoia Foundation, which preserves the legacy of the mid-century artist Harry Bertoia. They reached out to me to build a prototype for a dandelion sculpture they wanted to reproduce. A few other shops had either tried or passed on it, but I wanted to give it a shot. It was a challenging project, both technically and artistically. I was amazed at what I learned and honored to contribute to Harry’s legacy and the art world in general. This has been one of my favorite experiences thus far.
I think what sets my work apart is my attention to detail and my respect for both the artistic and technical sides of fabrication. Whether I’m building a staircase or a sculpture, I care about how it looks, how it feels, and how it’s built. It’s important that what I create stands the test of time, balancing integrity and aesthetic.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
For me, it’s all about being curious and genuinely interested in people. Whether it be someone in my field, friends of friends, or the person taking my coffee order — they’re all going to know things and people I don’t. I love what I do and talking about my work usually generates some interest and a conversation can start. Being excited, genuine and kind is contagious. If I bring that into a conversation; that most likely is what comes back my way.
When I moved here, I ended up leasing a shop right across the street from another welding business. That turned out to be one of the best things that could’ve happened. We’ve helped each other on big projects, shared ideas, traded tools, and drank lots of coffee together. Working alongside someone who has been through similar struggles and success in business has been a huge asset.
If I had to give advice, I’d say: show up, do good work, and stay curious. Be childlike. Be authentic, be kind, and be genuinely interested in the people around you. Do this every day in all activities, push your boundaries – hell, break your boundaries and learn how to be your best. That’s how opportunities have come my way — and how I continue growing as an artist and as a person.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @magnummetalworks.
- Facebook: @magnummetalworks.
