A company dedicated to heritage craft courses such as handmade walking sticks, bushcraft and the associated skills such as knifemaking & English longbow.
Bespoke courses in traditional crafts such as stickmaking, knifemaking and English longbow making as well as learning to live in nature by getting to know basic bushcraft techniques. Also get up close and personal with a bird of prey experience.
o promote ancient and modern skills in a lively, informative and enjoyable way in order to keep these traditional and ancient techniques alive. An experience which the whole family can take part in and teach invaluable skills which could one day prove useful.
I’ve been blacksmithing for over 35 years. The way that the metal moves when it’s being forged is a constant fascination to me, as well as the whole myriad of ways that it can be used in and around the home, garden or public environment to make objects that are both practical and beautiful. Although I enjoy conserving and reproducing our great historical heritage of ironwork, I also like to explore the intended site and my environment for inspiration, to come up with fresh ideas when a contemporary design is more appropriate.
I can make forged ironwork in any scale – from architectural to domestic – and can work to commision or for direct sale.
I also have extensive experience of teaching and demonstrating the craft at many levels, and can offer demonstrations and bespoke short courses.
West Country Blacksmiths
West Country Blacksmiths offer a complete premium metalwork service from their National Trust Forge on the edge of Exmoor in Somerset, working both locally across Somerset and Devon, whilst also working throughout the Country.
West Country Blacksmiths harness the skills of a team of uniquely talented craftsman, who’s skills are second to none working at incredible levels by harnessing vision, skills and experience of top blacksmiths, alongside some of the most talented engineers, metalworkers, coded welding experts and designers to allow the team to offer a unique service including a bespoke design service, undertaken by our team of highly experience and skilled tradesman, working alongside specialist skilled designers to offer both a 2D and 3D design service.
Unlike many others, the skills our team process allows us to work with all forms of metal on both new and restoration of metalwork projects including wrought iron, mild steel, cast iron, stainless steel, bronze, brass, aluminium and corten.
We work with private individuals, other metalwork companies, contractors, designers, architects, local authorities and other organisations both locally and nationally, and we are always pleased to welcome new enquiries, and offer our artistic and engineering skills and experience to prospective projects.
To find out more please visit http://www.westcountryblacksmiths.co.uk
Felicity is based in East London. Her contemporary approach to Blacksmithing has lead her to create both functional domestic pieces to large scale sometimes mechanical sculpture.
Coming from an arts background she fell in love with metal working and studied at Hereford National School of Blacksmithing.
‘I love the fact you can manipulate metals into almost any form keeping their strength. It is such a hands on physical process in which you develop an intimate relationship with the piece you’re working on. I create organic flowing forms in my work which I like to interlace with an element of danger, taking inspiration from insects, plants, symmetry in nature and also more-man made forms such as parts of vehicles and machinery.’
Felicity works in iron, steel and copper creating both functional and sculptural pieces for the home, garden, for narrow boats and festivals.
The design process is highly important to her and she likes to work closely with clients to achieve what they desire, in terms of both aesthetics and function.
Based in South London, Frances Plowden produces forged metal work to commission. She works to her own or to the client’s design, on a small or large scale. Please get in touch to enquire about garden or interior furniture, gates, railings, security grills, fireguards, chandeliers, or anything else.
Have a look at the website for an idea of projects completed.
From concept to completion
Redhouse Forge can design, develop, manufacture and install.
We have built a reputation as a specialist company able to take on projects large and small where something different is needed and where details count
We can integrate within a large corporation system, a small architect design practice or direct with the individual private client.
From the initial discussion with the client, whether private individual or company architect, Redhouse Forge, will develop the design by the method best suited to the project. Including constructing scale models, full size samples, 3D CAD drawings or artists sketches.
We offer –
Traditional forge-work for new work or restoration,
Fabrication in mild steel, stainless steel and non ferrous.
Specialist finishes; including chemical blackening of steel and stainless steel and patination of non ferrous metals.
Maker of contemporary, hand forged metalwork for the home and garden.
Paddy & Graham have between them 30 years’ experience of blacksmithing and bladesmithing. We run courses in sword making, blacksmith tools, hammers, welding and fabrication. On the sword and hammer making courses the student has the use of 2 air hammers, 2 hydraulic presses and a flypress. All modern tools are also used to make the courses easier for students such as grinders. find us on, https://www.craftcourses.com/providers/art-of-fire-crafts
Custom Quality Ornamental Iron Work with Excellence in Service.
Chrysalis Arts creates high quality artwork and architectural metalwork for the public realm. Kate Maddison, BA Arch collaborates with architects and developers on new projects, engaging with local authorities and involving communities in regeneration projects. The company combines the skills of artists and other design professionals with a range of highly skilled makers and specialist manufacturers, and has extensive experience in producing work to commission. The company’s diverse experience in the design, development, management and implementation of public art schemes and architectural metalwork commissions has gained Chrysalis an outstanding reputation for high calibre artwork, combined with professionalism in all aspects of project delivery.
A graduate from the BA(hons) Artistic Blacksmithing program at Hereford College of Arts, and proud Hereford Anvils Alumni, I have been Blacksmithing since the age of 14. Having worked all around the midlands on projects of all sizes, I now base myself at my workshop on the outskirts of Shrewsbury, as well as at the Blists Hill Victorian Living Museum, part of the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust. Having taken over the running of the workshop shortly after graduating in 2018, I find myself working on many projects, from restoration work, to brand new private commissions, nothing is too big or too small.
A big part of my time in the workshop, in addition to completing commissions, is teaching, demonstrating, and talking to members of the public. I cherish the opportunity to talk to others about a craft that I know and love, and always welcome the opportunity for people to have a go at Blacksmithing on a pre-arranged taster day, or for people to ask as many questions as they can whilst spending their time within the four walls of the workshop.
There is never a dull moment within my workshop and the doors are always open. There is always space to welcome new clients, regardless of the size of the commission or the budget that is set aside. I look forward to working with you soon, and welcoming you into the workshop.
Jack
Andrew Findlay has been forging artisitic metalwork for 30 years.
During this time he has developed many interesting and innovative techniques and textures to apply to his work. He is happy to use both traditional and modern tools and methods to achieve the desired effect.
Andrew’s work and design style is influenced but the great Art Nouveau and Art Deco artists and designers such as Antoni Gaudi, Victor Horta and Edgar Brandt, particularly in the way that their distinctive and sometimes unconventional work was successfully integrated into large architectural projects.
Finish is all important, patinated zinc, reactive copper paint, bronze and copper patinas, rusting, electropolished and heat coloured stainless are used in preference to paints.
He works in steel, bronze and stainless steel and has completed many major commissions in the UK and worldwide including Dubai, New York, Monaco And Italy. He has demonstrated his craft internationally and has been an artist in residence at the prestigious Metal Museum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Andrew works mainly to commission and is happy to receive enquiries from Architects, Landscapers and Private Clients.
SAW Forge is a traditional blacksmith operating out of ‘The Old Smithy’ in Mawnan Smith, Cornwall. We specialise in bespoke, traditional and contemporary metalwork, including interior furnishings, fireplaces, lighting, indoor/outdoor furniture, sculptures, forged tools, repairs and restorations.
We work with private clients and public bodies, taking on small and large scale commissions, using traditional hot and cold forging techniques dating back hundreds of years to create beautiful pieces of decorative and functional metalwork that will last generations. All our pieces are designed and hand crafted on site by our fully qualified blacksmith, Steven Wilson.
Heiner Zimmermann forges art and translates traditional forms into contemporary visual aesthetics. He is an ambassador of his craft. Growing up in his father’s workshop he learned and appreciated the ancient techniques and traditions of hammer and anvil. In his work Heiner combines a traditional formal language practiced in ancient craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetic expression. Heiner is interested in modern aesthetics which include a revised use of traditional techniques and materials and this is an approach he teaches as a professor in Arts and Craft, at HDK University of Gothenburg in Sweden.
He finished his formal training in 1991 and was awarded the national “Good Design Award” (now known as “Design Prize of the Federal Republic of Germany”). Other awards followed. During his formative years, supported by several scholarships, he travelled and worked for renowned metal artists across the continent and in the United States. He then went on to do further training in the conservation of art and architectural history in Venice. After his master’s certificate in 1998 he took over his father forge in Pliezhausen, Germany.
Heiner Zimmermann’s works is always the result of a search for form, structure and surface that touch and move the viewer. His work combines a respect for the forging tradition and its material with contemporary art and design. Each work is forged through a highly individual creation process. As each unique work appears its formal development symbolizes the union of an idea, and human will, with the material – iron.