Professional farrier turned artisan blacksmith , Lyle Petersen applies fire, hammer, and imagination to pieces of steel, which become functional items for the home, a wide variety of custom designs, and the occasional dragon, turtle, or hummingbird.  "Learning from and building on a hundred generations of blacksmiths."

Cowgirl from an early age, Barbara's focus is now in her studio, where she carves many creatures (both familiar and fantastical) from found wood, each piece one of a kind. She also weaves on a loom built by her maternal grandfather as well as on bent branches, and turns her hands to mosaics when the spirit moves her.

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Lybar Creations is located in the Beech Glen community of Mars Hill in Western North Carolina, on eight rolling acres along Paint Fork Creek.  Lyle works at his forge making all manner of ornamental and practical blacksmithing items; Barbara in her studio carving wood, weaving, and crafting mosaics; and they often collaborate on pieces combining their talents and imaginations.  If you visit, you may “set a spell” on the front porch, hearing about the adventures that led from raising horses on the Nebraska prairies to the Carolina mountains and Appalachian crafts.  You can tour Lyle’s blacksmith shop & Barbara’s studio, and perhaps watch as Lyle fashions a unique iron piece you might take with you (after it cools!). The area is full of independent artisans, as well as galleries featuring local talent. Lybar has pieces at Flow Gallery, and often takes part in Madison County Arts Council events.