It's kind of a slow season for Santa Fe artist blacksmith Helmut Hillenkamp. Rather than hunkering down to ride out the recession, however, he wants to use the down time as a gift.

Hillenkamp is looking for a new intern, preferably someone who has an enthusiasm for blacksmithing and knows which end of the hammer to hold.

The worker won't be paid, but would have free lodging for two months. He or she would also get one-on-one training and the opportunity to collaborate with Hillenkamp on something he hopes will be "more free and more playful" than commissioned pieces and "something that will make people smile a little or feel happy when they see it," he said.

Among other artistic endeavors, Hillenkamp hopes to work with a new partner on renovations and additions to a pair of dilapidated homes recently purchased with his wife, ceramic artist Christy Hengst.

"It's similar to what I would do for my wealthy customers, except right now I don't have any wealthy customers because it's a crisis. The government has declared there is a crisis, so most people act like we are in a crisis," said Hillenkamp, who added that he plans to "use that time for creative expression."

Eventually, one of the houses, west of St. Francis Drive, might also provide some community gathering space, he said. Another project likely to get attention is an iron tree at the Fayette Street Academy, on Santa Fe's west side. He installed the bare tree a few years ago and is now adding birds, apples, leaves and other elements.

You have probably driven right by some of Hillenkamp's work without realizing it. Well known in metal-working circles, his meandering vertical shapes are part of a fence outside the former Cloud Cliff Bakery and in a sculpture at the Arroyo Chamiso trailhead.

He and Hengst have collaborated on three city bus stops, including the stop on Cerrillos Road in front of the Railyard Park featuring a glazed ceramic map of the city and steel support structures.

Hillenkamp's offer of an internship is in keeping with the traditional way craftspeople learn their trades — at the feet of a master. The German native spent time in Switzerland and with lock makers in Ecuador before settling in Santa Fe more than two decades ago. In 2007, he earned the Artist Blacksmith Association of North America's Alex Bealer Award for merit.

"I found a little piece of happiness with ironwork and I would like to open the door to anyone who wants to cultivate that relationship," said Hillenkamp, 55.

Caleb Smith, 36, says the chance to work in Hillenkamp's shop as an apprentice helped him spring into his own business just this month — joining the handful of blacksmiths headquartered off Siler Road who find Santa Fe a place that sustains their work.

"I've been really fortunate to get started this way," he said. "I've had an opportunity to do work that many blacksmiths don't get to do in the very beginning of their careers."

Hillenkamp can be reached at 505-474-3060 or www.iron-to-live-with.com.

Contact Julie Ann Grimm at 986-3017 or jgrimm@sfnewmexican.com.