This hand-chiseled iron wall piece was a collaboration effort with fused glass artist Jennifer Kelly. Many hours under the chisel and many trips into the kiln! Visit the Gallery of Work section to see more pictures of this piece.
0 Comments
This door knocker was commissioned by a violin maker. The 'button' is made out of bronze while the backplate and treble clef were forged out of iron. I love it when I can combine bronze and iron - they just look so perfect together. The violin outline was chased into the iron plate with a series of hand chisels. The best part...I get to visit his violin-making shop next wk :-) The installation for a backyard pool area door was finalized today. The door hardware was in keeping with the organic style of railings I forged this summer for the same customer. While I provided the latches, decorative iron strip, hinges, and overall door layout with the water glass inserts, Camille Vienneau from Cam's Carpentry (www.camscarpentry.com) built & installed the door. Solid cedar - such nice craftsmanship Camille - as usual! Just added a series of pictures from a recent commission. This commission was part of an extensive basement renovation which included a forged railing, bar foot rail and decorative strapping along the top of the bar. Many thanks to Karen Colburn from West Wind Design Group (www.westwinddesigngroup.ca) for including 180 Forge Works in this exciting project! Check out the other pictures of this commission in the Gallery of Work. During my time at the JCC school in North Carolina a few wks ago, we used a piece of equipment called a Treadle Hammer. This is essentially a foot-actuated sledge hammer which leaves both hands free for the chasing & repousse' chisel work on the iron. Invented in the 1700's (driven mostly because apprentices were demanding an outrageous 5 cents/day!), this specialized piece of equipment just isn't available at Home Depot or Canadian Tire - imagine that! So what does a blacksmith do? He builds himself one, of course Special thanks to my friend Anthony Goodrum from Alabama for his kind & generous support to make this project such a breeze! Just back from the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC. Such a beautiful location and well-run school. The blacksmith shop sets the standard for all schools. I spent an intense wk of 14 hr days studying and applying 12th century techniques to create a gothic wall sconce. Instructor was Ernie Dorrill with assistant Clay Spencer. Exceptional class. I'll be heading back there often I'm sure! October 12, 13, 14 octobre Thanks Giving Weekend 10 AM to 5 PM - 10h à 17h Discover the quality craftsmanship and skill of local artists amidst the vibrant fall colours. Don’t forget to enter the draw to win one of the Crown and Pumpkin Gift Baskets. Free Admission 180 Forge Works is Studio #1 on the Tour. 2114 Ramsay Conc 3A, Almonte, ON I look forward to seeing you here! |
AuthorRandy Gill is the blacksmith behind 180 Forge Works. Archives
February 2019
Categories |