Work Undertaken
- Architectural (162)
- Design (177)
- Domestic (183)
- Industrial (72)
- Restoration (109)
- Sculptural (180)
Leamington Spa Warwickshire
The Thirsty Bear Blacksmithing Company is an artistic metalworking studio using the ancient art of blacksmithing to create contemporary and traditional metalwork that blows people’s minds. It is run by artist blacksmith Jake Bowers. It’s called Thirsty Bear Blacksmithing Company because I work very hard, am partial to a berry or two and have a few cubs to feed.
Using a coke-fired forge, where steel bars are heated and then forged over an anvil, I can guarantee that all products have the individual touch of a craftsman. We’re big enough to cope with any job but small enough to guarantee the kind of attention to detail that you should expect from an expert craftman.
Jake graduated with a triple distinction Extended diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalwork from Plumpton College and trained as a silversmith at Helliden’s Folkhogskola in Sweden in 1998. He also holds a journeyman’s certificate from Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths founded in 1299.
On this website you’ll see galleries of my completed work and works in progress. I produce everything from traditional wrought iron gates in steel to jewellery in precious metals for a variety of public and private clients. I also use this website to share what we’re up to with our latest commissions with our customers.
The Thirsty Bear Forge has been a member of Checkatrade, Britain’s premier source of vetted, reputable tradespeople since July 2014, which means you can independently verify what previous customers have said about our work. It’s a hard won reputation I guard very passionately and think about every time I start a piece of work.
Flintshire Fabrications is renowned for the restoration, conservation and care of historic buildings, structures and objects. We have restored everything from gates, railings and canopies to church bells, weather veins and well covers. Items that have been severely damaged through years of exposure to the weather and have actively corroded or are missing parts/elements or have been poorly restored previously.
Our highly skilled team are experienced in both metal working techniques and traditional engineering materials such as cast and wrought iron. We offer a range of restoration services depending on the type and extent of the deterioration, from surveying and and removal to forging new components, cleaning and painting. Our reputation for sympathetic restoration has enabled us to work on prestigious projects such as the Davies Brother Gates at St Peters Church Ruthin, St Giles Church Wexham, balustrades in Chester Cathedral, railings at Beeston Castle.
traditional and contemporary forge work , hand made by Paul Gilbert F,W,C,B
I’m a hobby blacksmith operating from my home built coal forge in my back yard. I’ve been smithing for only a few weeks, at weekends only (winter nights and no lighting in my yard). I’ve made a number of hot and cold hand tools, my first blade as well as a range of viking inspired jewelry.
I’m looking to network with other local smith to share ideas and resources.
Brian Russell , the master blacksmith at Little Newsham , established his business in 1976 in a 250 year old forge in Teesdale in the north east of England after studying art and design for four years.His work is varied like most most blacksmiths, but he has built up a reputation as a skilled exponent of design and forging skills whether the work be traditional or contemporary. Many journeymen ,(and women), have worked at Little Newsham over the years and have contributed greatly to the body of work that has been produced.
Calalogue components are never used in the work produced here, indeed Brian regards them with some disgust,and takes great satisfaction from designing his work around the forging process and producing every element in his well equipped workshop.
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.
Sam draws with steel, using heat and hammers. Her inspiration comes from the black, sweeping lines of Art Nouveau illustrations, and the structured organic forms of plant life and the natural world.
Contemporary metalwork by blacksmiths Michael Calnan & Gunvor Anhøj. Our Studio is based in the grounds of Russborough House, Co. Wicklow, Ireland where we forge bronze, iron and steel. 99% Good fun.
Located where BABA was founded in 1978, Fire and Iron is a major gallery and workshop specialising in forged ironwork and associated metal crafts. Representing more than 100 leading British and international blacksmiths, jewellers and other artists using metal as their chosen medium, Fire and Iron was founded in the early 1980s in response to the global resurgence of interest in forged iron as a creative medium. Owned and run by Lucy Quinnell, who grew up in a blacksmithing family and is the current editor of Artist Blacksmith magazine, Fire and Iron encourages high standards in art metalworking and attracts buyers and commissioners from all over the world. Lucy is married to blacksmith Adam Boydell, and together they design and create public artworks and private commissions. The couple also works in collaboration with other blacksmiths on some Fire and Iron commissions. Lucy won a gold medal for her first RHS garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show in 2008, and since then she has worked on five more RHS gardens. She lectures on the subject of blacksmithing, and has been featured talking about the subject on Woman’s Hour, the Craft Show, British Lifestyles (Japan), Blue Peter, Britain’s Best Home and Carlton Country.
Art works of forged and fabricated stainless steel and other metals.
Work of Iron is based in Edinburgh, providing a progressive approach to blacksmithing, combining traditional techniques with contemporary design.
The managing director Jack Waygood CF AWCB is an award-winning blacksmith, passionate about communication visual ideas through highly skilled craftsmanship.
Focused on producing original designs to commission. Projects range from domestic, sculptural, and architectural ironwork requirements. Specialists in the hot forged steel process.
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.
My work exploits the fractious nature of stone and the tensile strength of steel.
I create monumental sculptural objects that have the ability to transcend the boundaries of art to become future relics in their own right.
I create contemporary sculpture that pays homage to the skills of the Blacksmith and the Stonemason.
Constantly dealing with separation and unity, force and tension, rigidity and plasticity as I strive to embrace the pure essence of the sculptural form.
Traditionally trained Blacksmith with contemporary design.