Blacksmith
Family run since 1982, we are based in Worcestershire producing a vast range of work. Small to large domestic to commercial. Working out of a large workshop we blend modern fabrication and blacksmithing to try and forge a niche in the market. Always looking to take on challenging work and produce new products.
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.
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.
Ian first started blacksmithing having decided that office work wasn’t necessarily for him.
Starting work with a local blacksmiths firm in April 2008, by the end of the first day Ian was hooked. He promptly signed up to the blacksmith course at Warwickshire College where he spent 2 years training with Michelle Parker to obtain his National Certificate in Blacksmithing.
In March 2011, Ian was awarded a journeymanship by the Princes Foundation for Building Community. This gave him the opportunity to work with a number of well renowned blacksmiths throughout the country, providing Ian with invaluable experience.
Upon completing his studies in 2012, Ian returned to the Dorset-Wiltshire borders where he has joined Tony and Paul Sparkes at their forge in the village of Berwick St John where he has completed a wide variety of commissions ranging from simple fire sets to complex sets of gates, railings and balconies.
The forge also offers a wide range of fabricational facilities for structural metalwork.
Ian’s personal interest lies in ancient metalwork and he has an ongoing commission from the Ancient Technology Centre to create replications of tools used in the Roman, Saxon, Viking and Medieval periods.
In 2013, Ian was awarded the Certificate of Merit by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths for works done to date.
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
Fantastic Factory Studio is sited in Ripoll, SPAIN. We also offer our products online and accept custom requests.
Our local classes (8 pax) are offered weekly in our workshop, we are just 1 hour away from Barcelona so we encourage you to join anytime to enjoy a plentiful experience if you plan a visit to Barcelona. It’s a one-day thing, no experience requested. You will forge a beautiful piece of art, medieval weaponry or Bushcraft.
Our tourist packs are offered in groups of 4-8 people, we teach you some basics on blacksmithing and you will be guided to forge a Knife or an Axe in 10 hours. You can take a look at our website and contact directly to me by email or phone or Whatsapp +34678730334 Henry
Paul Gilbert F.W.C.B Master Blacksmith
Our blacksmithing courses and experience days are suitable for absolute beginners (adults, and teenagers from the age of 14 upwards*) or for metalworkers seeking to gain a basic understanding or improvement of iron-forging techniques. Classes are limited to 8 students, each with their own forge, anvil, leg vice and necessary tools. We’ve been running courses now for more than 28 years. . .
The emphasis within our courses is on learning the seven basic techniques of hot forging during the making of decorative And/or useful objects; participants can expect to make several such objects to take home at the end of the course. Participants are encouraged to discover the properties of hot iron, with the sympathetic expert guidance of our excellent tutors.
Based just of Jct 9 of the M25 in Leatherhead, Surrey, right next to our world-famous Fire and Iron Gallery in a pleasant semi-rural, historic setting, our blacksmithing courses are run and managed by Tom Quinnell. Our family blacksmithing business has been running continuously since 1932, but our courses first took place back in 1996 when The Quinnell School of Blacksmithing was set up by Richard Quinnell. Richard was a prime mover in the 1970s revival of the craft of artist blacksmithing in the UK, and he was awarded the MBE in 1989 for his contribution. Tom is Richard’s grandson, and he is now the 5th generation to work at the site. After a successful 15-year career with Mercedes-Benz, Tom returned to work at Rowhurst Forge where he grew up and learned the craft from a very young age.
Spike is an Artist, Blacksmith and Teacher who established her business in 2003, and her passion and love for metal is infectious to those she teaches.
Spike designs and forges unique pieces from small household items to large gates and balustrades, with some even including the edition of forged animals as part of the design.
With her intensive Artistic knowledge, Spike creates large animal sculptures for private clients as well as schools and public spaces.
Spike also offers private one to one Artistic Blacksmithing tuition in her fully operational workshop, with a range of courses to choose from. These courses can include a combination of welding and engineering for complete beginners or for those more advanced. Being a professional teacher, Spike has regular students that receive on going training to build up their personal skill set, ready for college application or to start up their own business.
wwwblacksmithingwithspike.co.uk
There is only one way of becoming a farrier and that is to complete the recognised Farriery Apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship lasts four years and two months – working for an Approved Training Farrier and undertaking block release training and assessment at Myerscough College to achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Farriery (work-based), in preparation to undertake the Worshipful Company of Farriers (WCF) Diploma in Farriery.
The 8485 Level 2 Certificate in Forgework is a pre-requisite for the Farriery apprenticeship. It delivers the foundation skills required
for using and maintaining basic blacksmith’s tools, operating a forge safely and introducing the practical blacksmithing techniques of forging, forming, cutting and joining.
This intensive course is primarily for those students who wish to develop a career in farriery or blacksmithing as well as those who wish to develop forging skills in conjunction with existing professional abilities such as engineers or metalwork artists. The qualification is recognised throughout the UK and is a compulsory requirement for any student wishing to undertake a Farriery Apprenticeship.
Location
Preston: Bilsborrow campus.
Duration
12 weeks. The course runs three times each year, in September, January and April.
Level
Intermediate.
Entry Requirements
5 GCSEs at A-C including English Language, Maths and a science for those applicants looking to progress to a farriery apprenticeship. Applicants must also attend an interview and Forge Assessment.
Additional Course Requirements
A keen interest in pursuing a career as a farrier or blacksmith.
Assessment
Multiple choice online test, portfolio of work and practical exam.
Progression
Farriery Apprenticeship (Level 3 Farriery).
Career Opportunities
Students passing this course will have the qualification to become an apprentice farrier.
Currently Employed as a Welding Instructor at Babcock International.
Nigel is an artist blacksmith working at Fransham Forge in Norfolk England.
Nigel’s enthusiasm and dedication to his craft is shown in the vast range of high quality metalwork which is undertaken at the forge. Nigel creates decorative and functional hand forged metalwork , including sculptures, architectural metalwork, ornate iron gates and traditional ironwork for historic buildings. Nigel and his team work regularly with English Heritage and the National Trust.