The Silmarillion: Aule

Aulë has might little less than Ulmo. His lordship is over all the substances of which Arda was made. In the beginning he wrought much in fellowship with Manwë and Ulmo; and the fashioning of all lands was his labour. He is a smith and a master of all crafts, and he delights in works of skill, however small, as much as in the building of old. His are the gems that lie deep in the Earth and the gold that is fair in the hand, no less than the walls of the mountains ans the basins of the sea. The Noldor learned most of him, and he was ever their friend. Melkor was jealous of him, for Aulë was most like himself in thought and in powers; and there was long strife between them, in which Melkor ever marred or undid the works of Aulë, and Aulë grew weary in repairing the tumults and disorders of Melkor. Both, also, desired to make things of their own that should be new and unthought of by others, and delighted in the praise of their skill. But Aulë remained faithful to Eru and submitted all that he did to his will; and he did not evny the works of others, but sought and gave council.

The Silmarillion, 'Valaquenta'

Aulë, husband to Yavanna. Creator of the dwarves. Blacksmith of the Valar. I based his design from the Roman god Vulcan. In one hand, he holds a hammer, in which he creates his works. In the other, his latest creation; the Dwarf. mechanical pencil, pen, prismacolor.