After what seems like an age the workshops involving the school children at Jennetts park finally begin this Tuesday We will be using plasticene to simulate the properties of hot metal and give the students an idea of what can be acheived. So by using a range of art materials we are hoping, by Wednesday, to have some fantastic ideas for what the children would like to see as they enter their school. I am really looking forward to coming up with the designs for this project and am hoping for some very bold patterns and shapes that will bring the railings alive.

These bookends were commissioned before christmas and the client wanted a sea and wave theme as the decoration. The boat is forged from copper bar and rivetted to the waves, giving the feeling of the boat being thrown around by the waves.

Its been a very busy time just lately, the Bracknell commission will be starting very soon, i am also pricing for another potential project for the same client.  I am also pricing for a leaded canopy and some handrails for an existing client in Staithes. He also wants me to go ahead with a gate based on Mondrians paintings, so that should be quite a bit of fun.!!   This week however has been very productive, finished some small projects that i can now get out of the forge, and have done the working drawings for the gate commission i am about to start. Also have two bouquets of forged flowers to make for a Client before christmas. Looks like i shall be burning the midnight oil…..

It has been a very busy couple of weeks here recently what with the souter lighthouse skills event as well as the world skills event in London. But this weekend i will have some time to revise the designs i had drawn for the well cover. The couple were pleased with the designs i had done but wanted me to revise one in particular that stood out for them. The additions to the design will be very eyecatching and rather unusual, so this weekend will be spent trying to capture the ideas they have given me.

Further potential commissions are coming in at a very healthy rate just recently!. A client in Hexam has asked me to design a gate and railings in a very traditional style. They are very simple in their design but incorporate alot of forgework. The finial tops are just tapered points with a fullered line about 60mm down from the point. I have already made six samples and started to punch the top rail for the uprights to go through. Once the rail is punched i will then find some stone to lead the uprights into and present the client with the actual physical sample for him to approve. Photos will of course follow.

Quite excited today as i will be meeting a new client that has asked me to design a well cover for his house. The design brief was really quite specific, which does help me with my designing process!, he wanted the cover itself to reflect the flow of water, but also keep the gaps close enough together so that feet would not get caught.
Also as a little touch of comedy he wanted the words `help` coming from within the cover as well as a hand reaching out as if they were stuck inside….. The design has been really nice to do, so i am hoping he likes them and goes ahead with the commission.

Finally got the last table done for the client, emailed them some pictures and they are delighted with the finished job. Really pleased myself as well.