Steven Hayden uses his background as a material science engineer to blend different media into art.

While he started as a potter creating both functional and art vessels after graduating from the University of California at Davis, today Hayden has mastered woodworking and works with sheet copper and silver solder. He also does blacksmithing and continues to work in ceramics, specializing in copper-rich glazes he enhances by using a Japanese firing technique called Raku.

"I tend to blend materials together," said Hayden whose work has been on display as part of the 76th annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's Fair at Mount Sunapee.

Hayden, who occasionally partners with Meredith blacksmith David Little, said the pair sold a $1,400 cherry table at the fair. Little made the base and Hayden crafted the top. He carved a branch-style design into the slab-style top. The carving was then filled with silver alloy.

Hayden and Little also craft tables, lamps and even bedroom sets that feature wrought iron, copper or even ceramic accents.

In the loft of his 200-year-old barn connected to his Cape-style home in Meredith, Hayden is working on an abstract wall sculpture made of copper. It will feature a landscape design with mountains. Circles in relief will face the piece.

He is using acid to etch the circles, allowing him to use silver solder to make a river.

He said he uses a torch to essentially paint on copper using levels of oxidation to create different colors and patterns.

He said he enjoys working with copper because he finds he can get hundreds of colors from oxidation and acid-etching, adding that all "are in my color palette."

To protect the patinas he creates, Hayden said he uses clear automotive acrylic to seal his work. He leaves his countertops uncoated, explaining that the ring left behind by a glass or the smear of a wet sponge creates a "living" piece of furniture.

He says his inspiration sometimes comes from the materials he is working with, but more often than not it comes from the natural beauty of New Hampshire.

"There is no doubt that New Hampshire's landscape influences me sometimes in an overt way, sometimes more subtly, but it's always an influence," he said.

Hayden, who grew up in California, met his wife, Monica Philbin, at UC- Davis. She is a registered nurse and does telephone-based health education and also serves as the director of a nonprofit organization that promotes organ and tissue donations.

Hayden said Philbin is the biggest supporter of his work.

"Without her, none of it would happen," he said. "She is always behind me. It is quite a gift.

"So many artists get focused on one medium. That's not for me," Hayden continued, explaining that he wants to be able to work in whatever material is appropriate for a design and saying he does not want to be limited by being unable to work with any medium.

As a juried member of the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen, Hayden said he has access to a tremendous resource of fellow artisans who are happy to help.

"That type of generosity is rare and wonderful," he said.

Hayden believes fellow craftsmen are willing to share their secrets because they believe that what is good for one artist is good for all others, as it helps improve the ever-growing reputation of craftsmen in the state.

Hayden said he has been fortunate to display his wares at shows throughout the country, including California and New York, and finds that the Mount Sunapee fair is "as good if not better than anything I have seen."

He said that, while some artists are lamenting that the poor economy has reduced the pool of buyers, he and Little have seized the opportunity to make the best work of their lives.

Hayden said it is the highest compliment an artist can be paid to have someone willing to spend their hard-earned money for something he has made so it can be part of their home environment.

"My goal is to make people say, 'Oh, my God, I have got to have that, regardless of the economy,'" he said.

More of Hayden's creations may be views on the web at steven@haydenarts.com.

Courtesy Photo/Steven Hayden A display of artist Steven Hayden and David Littlefield furniture, mirrors and lamps are displayed at the 76th Annual League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's Fair at Mount Sunapee. * Order a print of this photo

Courtesy Photo/Steven Hayden Artist Steven Hayden and blacksmith David Little both of Meredith teamed up to make this unique bar with copper inlay and top. * Order a print of this photo

Artist Steven Hayden of Meredith made the wooden and copper elements of this unique bedroom set that also features wrought iron accents by David Little of Winnipesaukee Forge. Courtesy Photo * Order a print of this photo