The Deep Sleep Reaches the Top 10 in the 2026 Grizzly Metal Makers Challenge

by Jeremy Werkheiser October 15, 2026

I'm excited to share that The Deep Sleep has been selected as one of the Top 10 finalists in Grizzly Industrial's 2026 Metal Makers Challenge.

This original steel Kraken sculpture captures a sea creature overtaking a sinking ship. The work combines carefully shaped steel, intricate surface textures, and 2,542 individually welded scales. It represents approximately 500 hours of design, fabrication, and finishing.

About the Grizzly Metal Makers Challenge

Grizzly Industrial has supplied woodworking and metalworking machinery since 1983, and 2026 marks its first dedicated Metal Makers Challenge. The competition brings together fabricators, machinists, welders, metal artists, and other makers from across the United States to showcase what they can create.

The first round was decided by public voting, with the 10 highest-voted projects advancing to the finals. From there, an expert judging panel evaluates each piece for complexity and skill, quality of craftsmanship and welding, creativity and design, and surface finish. You can read the full breakdown in the official contest rules.

Meet the 2026 judges

The panel brings together business leaders and hands-on artists who know what it takes to make something exceptional out of metal.

Shiraz Balolia — Founder and CEO of Grizzly Industrial. A maker and entrepreneur himself, Shiraz founded the company in 1983 after buying, repairing, and reselling used lathes.

Shabir Balolia — Grizzly Industrial's President and COO, bringing the perspective of the company behind the challenge to the judging panel.

Leah Jeffery of Bruised Reed Studio — A fellow scrap-metal sculptor who transforms reclaimed metal into lifelike birds and animals. Her work combines welding, an eye for anatomy, and the imagination to see something new in discarded material.

Bobby Walker of Devil's Backbone Knives — A custom bladesmith and Forged in Fire champion from 2020. His background in hand-forged knives brings a close eye for metalworking precision, skill, and finish.

Having The Deep Sleep reach a judging panel that understands both the creative and technical sides of metalwork is a milestone all its own.

What's at stake?

Grizzly's first-place prize includes a $4,000 Grizzly gift certificate and a feature on Grizzly's website with professional photography of the winning project and workspace. The runner-up receives a $2,000 gift certificate, while other finalists and selected honorees are eligible for additional prizes and Grizzly merchandise. See the prize details.

Behind the build

A closer look at the fabrication and craftsmanship behind The Deep Sleep.

Close-up of welding the individually made steel scales on The Deep Sleep Kraken — Welding the Kraken's steel scales

Close-up of the welding arc on The Deep Sleep steel sculpture — Welding in progress

Grinding steel parts during fabrication of The Deep Sleep — Shaping and refining metal

Metal Relic artist welding a sculpture in the workshop — Hands-on fabrication

Kraken details

Close-up of The Deep Sleep showing curled tentacles wrapped around a sinking ship — Curled tentacles and ship details

The Deep Sleep steel scales, welded anchor, and chain close-up — Thousands of scales, plus a tiny anchor

A sculpture with a story

The Deep Sleep began as an ambitious welding sculpture project and has since gone on to receive recognition at SkillsUSA and in fine-art exhibitions. Being selected among the Grizzly finalists adds another milestone to that journey.

To everyone who supported the entry, shared it, or voted during the public voting period: thank you. The voting window has now closed, and I'm grateful the work made it into the final selection.

See the official Grizzly finalist gallery. You can also explore photographs and the story of The Deep Sleep here at Metal Relic.