The coppersmith who is a WORDSMITH

Sara Dahmen of the Town of Port Washington figured out that comparisons of coefficients of thermal expansion aren’t exactly page-turners that would appeal to a mass audience.

“It was so boring I fell asleep while writing it,” Dahmen joked about her latest book’s first rendition.

But in one sense, “Copper, Iron and Clay,” which takes readers through Dahmen’s experience in becoming possibly the only female coppersmith in the country today who builds cookware, is helping preserve cultural history.

“So many people I talk to, the smiths on the shop floor, they’re never going to write any of this stuff down. It’s all in their head. It disappears when they retire,” she said.

The last real book on coppersmithing, she said, was published in the 1800s.

“Some of it was because they would hoard their knowledge and pass it on to their sons,” she said, adding that fathers advised their children not to tell anyone to create more competition and dilute the trade.

Dahmen talked to many people “who know more than I do” about coppersmithing and was able to corral it all in her head.

Her editor told her to ease up on the textbook-like detail and add her personal story.

She took out the “really sciencey” portion, but lobbied to keep some of the detail — subjects she admits she was bad at in school that she now uses all the time. For example: “If you have a copper pot, don’t put on a gray cast iron handle because it’s too brittle.”

Dahmen added an introduction on why people should listen to her, why she’s an expert and how she got into coppersmithing.

“It’s very raw because it’s my story, my life and my experiences,” she said.

The hardcover book’s 50-page introduction is followed by chapters copper, iron and clay, complete with color photos. Dahmen explains how the cookware is made and how to maintain it, and even includes family recipes.

When the book was released April 28, Dahmen’s friends celebrated by walking to her house with flowers and congratulatory signs that all started with “This girl is” followed by “an artist, author, a mother, wife, friend, farmer and on fire.”

It took her by surprise. “My husband is like, ‘You have to come outside,’” she said.

Dahmen had to end a phone conversation and then stepped out of her door to see her friends and book club members and their families cheering her on.

The excitement was supposed to continue as Dahmen was scheduled to be a guest on “Good Morning America” on April 30 to discuss her book and craft, but her appearance has been postponed due the coronavirus pandemic. Dahmen is hoping the segment doesn’t get canceled. A camera crew had already visited to capture some footage of her in her element.

“You work five years to have a book come out and then this pandemic takes away the chance for you to talk about your career,” Dahmen lamented.

Copper cookware, oddly enough, kills viruses. While this comes as a revelation to many, especially given the focus on the coronavirus, Dahmen said she has blogged about it years ago.

The way copper and oxygen interact with the viruses inhibits their ability to reproduce. “It will start to kill viruses and bacteria on contact,” Dahmen said.

Writing historical fiction was what got Dahmen interested in coppersmithing. She has published two of a six-book series named Flats Junction that is set in 1800s America and includes the story of a woman tinsmith. The third book in the series is slated to be released next year.

Dahmen has started her own cookware company. Her pieces are made in the United States and, while more expensive than others, last longer and is healthier to use than products made in China, she said.

“We ask about the prominence of our food; why are we not asking it about our cookware? It’s all part of the same conversation about health,” Dahmen said.

“Quit buying a $10 pan at Walmart. It will fill a landfill in two years.”

None of her varied careers were initial aspirations for Dahmen, who holds a communications degree from Marquette University.

She began working in advertising before starting her own wedding planning company, which she sold after a decade.

She self-published a novel in 2014, and began winning writing contests before landing a book series. Flats Junction, she said, is being considered for a movie or TV series.

Getting “Copper, Iron and Clay” published was a serendipitous process, she said.

She connected with a chef on Instagram who has an online following from her work on the Food Network. Dahmen sent her a message out of the blue and before long was shooting videos in Los Angeles with the woman’s aunt, who had directed a few episodes of “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.” The woman gave Dahmen the name of an agent, and a cold email eventually led to a book deal.

Paperwork was signed late last fall, and the book was ready for editing in February.

“Right place, right time, being nice and being willing to say yes,” Dahmen said. “I believe in saying yes, even if it’s something I don’t understand or know. You never know what’s going to happen after that. It could open up a whole new world,” she said.

“I never plan to go in as deep as I do. It’s just more interesting the deeper you go. Life’s too short.”

Dahmen didn’t have a vision for her nonfiction book aside from making it beautiful, educational and enjoyable to read.

“It’s more impressive than I thought it would be,” she said. “I’m really proud of it because so many people worked so hard to make it what it is.”

For more information, visit www.saradahmen.com.