Meet Tim Navin | Metal Artist & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tim Navin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tim, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
“What you seek is seeking you.” Rumi

This quote was left on my mirror one morning by my now fiancé. At the time, I didn’t really pay much attention to it but slowly over time it because obvious that it had a much deeper meaning than I had originally thought. I was working at a job that paid the bills but that left me absolutely no soul satisfaction. For years, I had dreamed about starting my own company and creating works of art using metal but it never seemed like something that I could actually grasp.

Eventually, this quote came to really show me that my dreams were coming true once I decided to take the leap and jump headfirst into Sparks Fly Studio Ltd. Once I took that (scary but exhilarating) life changing plunge, I was blessed to find myself in the right place at the right time and felt like I was in the flow of good vibes if you will. What I had been seeking had finally caught up with me. I’m still humbled often as my once big dreams present themselves as real life moments more and more. I only wish I had realized sooner that this quote held such a significant truth for me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
One of the many things that sets Sparks Fly Studio Ltd. apart from other welding shops/metal fabricators is that I am an artist first. For me, welding is sewing with fire. It’s taking a flat, lifeless bar of metal and turning it into a 3D piece of art. It’s about meeting with clients and taking the time to really get to know them and what they are looking for. It’s dedication to getting it just right even when it takes more than one attempt to get there. I aim to continue to set myself apart by creating a studio vibe at the welding shop.

Additionally, one way that I have gotten to where I have today in a relatively short period of time, is getting to know my customers. Everyone who walks through the studio doors has a story and I want to know what it is. I want to be able to take their ideas and turn them into works of art. It has been so fulfilling to show that anything can be a one of a kind piece of art when you take the time to intentionally create it. One of my favorite customers has been a 90 year old local Fruita lady who wanted handrail and was thrilled when we added plant racks and shelves that honored her late husband. Relationships are so crucial in this day and age and it’s not something that I look past.

The highlight of my career so far has been being chosen to create a metal sculpture to commemorate a gentleman who was a staple in our downtown area. A local business woman, Allie Telinde, decided to honor the late Warren Barnes with a chair sculpture to become a permanent fixture downtown. When I found out that I had been chosen to do this incredible, once in a life time project, I was overjoyed. This project felt like it was the whole reason that I took the leap and started Sparks Fly Studio Ltd. It has been such an incredible journey watching this sculpture unfold and come to life. I’ve been able to collaborate and work with Lyle Inman who has been such a huge help. It has taken several months to reach the finish line but by Thanksgiving it will be installed and available for the public to remember such a sweet and gentle man.

Some of the (many) lessons that I have learned along the way is, know when you need to take a step away. It can be so easy to get lost in a project and run into a dead end. Knowing when to walk away has been crucial for me to successfully finish projects. Another important lesson is collaborate as often as you can. I’m wise enough to know that I don’t have all of the answers or ideas. There’s no greater feeling than when you can team up with someone and watch a project come to life because of their insight. When I was first starting out I had a hard time not getting discouraged when I would see another welder’s work on social media being shared. I quickly came to realize that there is room for everyone and that my work sets me apart because of what I’m able to bring to the table. Know your worth and don’t settle for a penny less.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
You’ll need a lot more than just one week to explore Fruita and the surrounding area. For started our valley is nestled between The Grand Mesa (highest flat top mountain in the world), the Book Cliff mountain range (the longest continuous escarpment in the world) and the Colorado National Mountain (known for it’s stunning red cliff walls and one of a kind photo opportunities). Whether you are into mountain biking (it’s world class here and The Palisade Plunge just opened up this year), hiking (countless miles of stunning trails where many trails are dog friendly), golfing (we have several courses to choose from but the view from Redlands Mesa are incredible), to playing on the river (we are where the Gunnison and the Colorado River converge together) there is something for every outdoor enthusiasts.

As far as food goes, you wouldn’t be properly hosted if you didn’t stop by Camila’s Cafe in Fruita for an filling breakfast or grab a slice of Grannie’s Pesto pizza from Hot Tomato after a day of playing. The Copper Club (also located in Fruita) is a local brewery that’s also kid friendly. Their new location (right across the street from The Hot Tomato) makes it easy to bring over your pizza and enjoy a locally crafted beer. No Coast Sushi is fantastic along with Suherio’s (both of these eaters are located in Grand Junction).

If coffee is your thing, there are several local coffee shops that you’ve got try Kiln in downtown Grand Junction (the “big” city nearby). Sweet Kiwi in Orchard Mesa is also delicious with great sweet treats as well. Jitterz is a little drive thru that is terrific as well.

Soon, the big destination of the Grand Valley with be El Jets Cantina and Sky Outpost which will be located in the heart of Grand Jucntion next to the river. This project is being headed by Jen Taylor (awesome realtor and human being).
Celebrating Grand Junction’s special local history and people, El Jet’s Cantina + Sky Outpost will offer 71 hip, eclectic lodging units of varying vintage to modern designs, a full service cantina and bar featuring private label tequila and the best fish tacos on earth, the Baja-inspired, purpose-driven eco-resort offers immediate access to the Colorado River and Colorado National Monument. Designed in conjunction with a passionate private sector, local government, purpose led developers and with the direct input of long-time community leaders, the project is designed to complement the natural beauty and character of Grand Junction, its history and its people, revitalizing a reclaimed former junkyard and Superfund site on the banks at the confluence of the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to The Trigger, aka Brook Shaffer.

Like many people, 2020 flipped my world upside down. I was unhappy at my job and feeling lost. Brook and I had taken a quick weekend trip to Ouray (where we love to frequently go). On the way home, she asked me a question about what I really wanted to do with my life. I had always been a creative artist and my dream was to start my own business and finally take my welding skillset on my own journey. I had a lot of ideas that I wanted to branch out with but had always been scared to take that leap. I was a little hesitant at first to share such a private dream but her response when I was finally done talking was the exact thing I needed to hear, “What are you waiting for? Pull the trigger and do it!”

Her loving, gentle nudges from that moment on have been a guiding force that keeps me motivated. She is my biggest cheerleader and thinking partner. She is the “Trigger” that helps keep me focused. She is my rock and I couldn’t do this without her.

Website: https://sparksflystudioltd.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparksflystudioltd/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sparks-Fly-Studio-Ltd-104503048112094