Talking Shop with Metal Shop Masters: The story behind how Netflix changed Ivan Iler's metalworking career

In the fifth episode of our seven-part Talkin' Shop series interviewing contestants from the Netflix show Metal Shop Masters, The FABRICATOR Sr. Digital Editor Gareth Sleger talks with Ivan Iler, a metal sculptor and kinetic artist from St. Johns, Mich.

Iler talks about his journey from working job to job before finally starting a career as a metalworker running his own motorcycle fabrication shop. That quickly transitioned into him turning his artistic talents into creating metal art sculptures and running Ivan Iler Studios near Lansing, Mich.

Before appearing on Metal Shop Masters, Iler made a name for himself in Michigan by building massive metal art sculptures for public display throughout the state and participating in an annual Lansing-area event called ScrapFest, a scrap metal artwork competition he's won on more than one occasion.

He's also built a reputation for his ability to work in kinetic motion in many of his art pieces, a talent that's also on display in the Netflix show.

Iler credits Metal Shop Masters with taking his career as a kinetic metal art sculptor to the next level. He's since partnered with Hypertherm as a brand ambassador and has made appearances all around the country this past year, including at FABTECH in Chicago, SEMA in Las Vegas, and SkillsUSA in Atlanta.

Be sure to watch more from our Talkin' Shop with Metal Shop Masters: Episode 1 with Rae Ripple, Episode 2 with Luis Varela-Rico, Episode 3 with Tom Patsis, and Episode 4 with Seven Bailey.

You can also watch more with Ivan as he chats with Josh Welton and Luis Varela-Rico about the industry during a SEMA 2021 in Las Vegas.