Bernhard Heer began his apprenticeship in metal fabricating at age fifteen at Engelberg Monastery in his native Switzerland. Bernhard began his own artistic career in shops in Germany and Switzerland. In 1976 he moved to the United States, setting up shop in northwestern Wisconsin. He works on many commissions doing a variety of hand-forged ironwork, including railings, gates, chandeliers, fireplace tools and sculptures in styles from traditional to contemporary.