When I heard about the wildfires in my hometown of Spokane, Washington, I wanted to find a way to help.
Rather than simply asking for donations, I decided to spend my time making something.
For every Placekeeper sold, $20 will be donated to the H.O.M.E. Starts Here fund, which supports families affected by the Spokane wildfires.
My hope is that by making something people will want to keep, we can raise more together than I could have donated on my own.
The Placekeeper is a forged steel bookmark finished in the same Storm Red and blackened finish found throughout the Astoria Forge collection. It isn't meant to feel delicate. I wanted it to have the same reassuring heft as a small hand tool.
Each bookmark will also carry a custom stamp of Spokane's Monroe Street Bridge, one of my favorite landmarks from home.
Placekeepers are currently available for pre-order.
The custom Monroe Street Bridge touchmark is currently being made by fellow blacksmith Derek Melton of Melton Forge.While the stamp is being made, I'm forging and finishing the rest of the bookmarks so they'll be ready as soon as it arrives.
Estimated shipping (updated August 3, 2026): approximately two weeks.
Orders will ship in the order they are received.
Price: $40 (U.S. shipping included)
For every Placekeeper sold:
$20 will be donated to the H.O.M.E. Starts Here fund.
The remainder covers materials, packaging, shipping, and the time required to make each bookmark by hand.
When the fundraiser concludes, I'll share both the total amount raised and confirmation of the donation.
Hand-forged steel
Storm Red enamel over blackened steel
Astoria Forge maker's mark
Monroe Street Bridge touchmark
Leather lanyard
Approximately 6" long
Handmade in Astoria, Oregon
Current donation total: $1,500
When I heard about the wildfires in my hometown of Spokane, Washington, I wanted to find a way to help.
Rather than simply asking for donations, I decided to spend my time making something.
For every Placekeeper sold, $20 will be donated to the H.O.M.E. Starts Here fund, which supports families affected by the Spokane wildfires.
My hope is that by making something people will want to keep, we can raise more together than I could have donated on my own.
The Placekeeper is a forged steel bookmark finished in the same Storm Red and blackened finish found throughout the Astoria Forge collection. It isn't meant to feel delicate. I wanted it to have the same reassuring heft as a small hand tool.
Each bookmark will also carry a custom stamp of Spokane's Monroe Street Bridge, one of my favorite landmarks from home.
Placekeepers are currently available for pre-order.
The custom Monroe Street Bridge touchmark is currently being made by fellow blacksmith Derek Melton of Melton Forge.While the stamp is being made, I'm forging and finishing the rest of the bookmarks so they'll be ready as soon as it arrives.
Estimated shipping (updated August 3, 2026): approximately two weeks.
Orders will ship in the order they are received.
Price: $40 (U.S. shipping included)
For every Placekeeper sold:
$20 will be donated to the H.O.M.E. Starts Here fund.
The remainder covers materials, packaging, shipping, and the time required to make each bookmark by hand.
When the fundraiser concludes, I'll share both the total amount raised and confirmation of the donation.
Hand-forged steel
Storm Red enamel over blackened steel
Astoria Forge maker's mark
Monroe Street Bridge touchmark
Leather lanyard
Approximately 6" long
Handmade in Astoria, Oregon
Current donation total: $1,500
