Go fund me

In the last three months my business has been going through a rough patch. With no power to the unit I'm not able works and as you will know that bills still have to payed while I have been looking for a new workplace. Now that I've found a new workplace I am extremly low on funds to move and turn the place into a fully functional workshop.

So to raise so money I turned to gofundme a website where anyone can donate to your cause and I signed up, posted my story asking for £1000 to help me move my equipment and trun the building into a workshop. I started to share it across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Linkedin.
And in just 5 days I have raised over £800 which is amazing!! I sharing like mad to reach the target.

 
With only £128 left to the full target to help me move my workshop so I can keep doing what I'm so passionate about, I'm asking everyone to please share my gofundme page and get the message out there I'd really appreciate it.

https://www.gofundme.com/blacksmiths-workshop

2017 So Far

2017 so far as been a big mix of ups and downs, I am now looking for a new workshop as my Landlord has cut the power to my unit which has halted all further commission work.

But I didn't want to dwell on the negative and show off just few of commissions I've done so far this year.
And don't worry there will be alot more to come in time!!

Custom hand forged Microphone stand

Finally got some photos to show of the custom microphone stand I forged being used by its new owners Bred 4 War preforming at the Carival of Ink in Springfield, Missouri.
I hope to see it being rocked for many years to come!!
Its a dream come true.

Forged frames

I got thinking a lot about my roots of developing an idea like I did at college. When developing my forged guitar hooks I was developing on the idea of the hooks becoming the frame of the guitar. I saw the guitar like a painting people spend thousands of pounds of guitars like paintings, and when you spend thousands of pounds on a painting you're not going to hang it on a wall in a frame you bought form B&Q or Ikea!?! NO!!!! You're going to hang it up in frame that draws you in to the painting. I feel the same with a guitars and the hooks they hang from. People but thousands of pounds worth of guitars on £15 plastic hooks so that's why I designed and made hand forged guitar hooks.

Now I took a step back the frames idea and started to design picture/photo frames and these are just some of the results.

What do you all think???

12" X 12" canvas frame

Collaboration between me and Lissie's poems.

Detail of frame

    

Book a forging lesson now.

I'm been doing day lessons for a while and now I'm creating a day each two weeks where anyone can book a day lesson with me at my workshop so spread the word and contact me for more details. 

Tea for two?

I thought I'd so off my latest creation. This is a hand made tea tray, made from recycled pallets and hand forged decorations. This is following the same theme as the chest I made last week...... and I've already started making use of it.

I've already started on designing new versions of it and developing it further 

Hope you all like it? Let me know what you think?

handmade chest

Here is my most recent make, A handmade chest built from recycled pallets and hand forged elements. It's taken me nearly six days to make and I really didn't have a game plan at first when I started it but as I was building it, I developed the design as I went along.

Areas like the hinges and lock I took time on the design as I wanted to get the feel right with the wood and with the rustic old look I wanted to try and keep it as traditional as possible, So I went with a Norse hinge rather then a modern hinge.

I don't know why I decided on metal corners for the chest but I wanted something completely different that made it stand out from every other chest and this seemed like a good idea which created the theme for all the other forged elements.

This has given me so many ideas for future projects and more than likely more chests too. But first we'll see what kind of reaction this one gets first.
Hope you all like it as much as I do?

Recent creations

Here are some photos of some of my recent creations. Hope you all like?

Brackets Anyone?

Here Are a few sections of photos of brackets I've been working for commissions, etc. I'll be making some more bracket in the near future. I've got a few days of creative free play coming up so who know what I'll make. 

Gate development

I had a commission for a Victorian/Edwardian styled gate and after doing several drawing the customer chose this one. He did make some slight changes to the central section but this was the main idea.

I'm am now up to the finishing stage and boy has it been a job and a half, the riveting stage was such a challenge I had to get a second pair of hands to help hold it. I even added a little leaf as the latch which the customer is very pleased with. But here it is all complete and I will be installing it on the Thursday so prepare for photos soon.

New year, new start.

Well another year has passed and its boy its been and interesting one. But now we must look to the future and next jobs to be done. But first I wanted to share with you the last couple of jobs I had completed before the new year.

 

These are a gate I installed (Gate was inspired by a gate design created by David Hyde of Verdigris metals) and two commissioned hanging basket brackets

More work.... More updates

Hey all. Well I Said no promises for another quick post but at least I'm getting round to it in the end.
With Christmas round the corner I started to think about what I could make to sell at the market and these are what I came up with. These Small Christmas decorations good fab and can make a great little gift too and at only £4 each they're not expensive at all!!! 

I'm always designing new railing, gates and other products so that I have a wide range of images for my customers to look at, I've been thinking of making some small railings to be able to take with me to the market to show off my forging skills on products bigger that brackets, etc.

 

This was a drawing I did for customer which could be a perfect example to take to the market. I may have a few more ideas but I think this is the best one so far. It wouldn't get done until next year as I'm quite busy at the moment with other jobs but you'll all know in time what I decide to do. 

Got work, done work and more work ahead.

Yeah yeah I know what you're going to say "Jon you haven't updated your blog in ages" and then I say "I know I'll try and fit it in" and here we are months later and lots to talk about. I've been very busy and have had about 8 jobs on the go this past month or so. I'll try and fill you all in with everything put this could take a few posts....

So..... Yeah..... Lots of jobs including my biggest on yet!! Balcony roof railings, 17 meters of them and filled up workshop very quickly as you can see. The longest section was seven meters long but went together perfectly and the installation went with out any major glitches. It's not fully complete as I've still got two more decorative elements to attach to and then paint it all went the weather settles down.    

  
I also had a few smaller jobs on the go while making the railing like a curtain rails and a wall sculpture. Both were great fun the make and great to add to my ever growing portfolio. Hopefully this will open more doors to more work.

My latest job I'm working is a gate and stair rail. Today I've just finished the main bulk of the gate and will completing the rest of it over the weekend. It may not be a tall gate but it's probably my favorite gate I've made so far. I'll be beginning on the stair rail very soon and will be posting updates as I go along.  

There still lots to tell but this will do for now. I'll try and post another one soon but no promises. fingers crossed I get round to it by the end of the weekend.
Thanks for reading.

Big jobs up high

I have been commissioned to make a Juliet and 12 meters worth of railings for a balcony roof. This is definitely the biggest job I've ever undertaken so far but I know I can do. The customer has asked for a hammered look with a basket design feature in the middle which really stands out as you can see from the photo.

 This is what the Juliet looks like at the moment, it's almost finished and then ready to be painted. After that I can get started on the on the huge amount of railing I have to complete. I'll be taking photos and updating on the blog as I go along. 

   

Snakes everywhere!

One small product that seems to be very popular at the moment is the forged snakes I make. Great as a little gift or as some customers have been doing is using them as a door stop, which works just as well. I find that they make great little demonstration pieces at shows as even the kids can get excited when they recognize the snakes form. Here are just a small range of snakes that I have made over the past few days and you can purchase them at any of market stalls or send me a message if you'd love one sooner :)

Flower power

I wanted to show you all my new small candle holders, Flower shaped with leaved feet. I think they look pretty sweet and come in a pair. £45 for the pair, I'll be putting these on etsy and make to order too.

Redfest

On the Saturday I was round the corner from my home in St Georges park at Redfest where I had a stall. The weather did have a wet patches but it held out pretty well. On the day I held a raffle for a rose and stand which is always popular product. I was very happy to hand it over to the winner and and new owner. 

 

 For those of you that still haven't seen my website please click on the link below
jbullblacksmith.wix.com/hammerandtongs

I'm at Red fest today and the sun is out on full force now. For those who picked up a business card please take a look at my website.

www.jbullblacksmith.wix.com/hammerandtongs

Busy month

I must admit I'm a very bad Blogger as I leave it months at a time before up dating. I started going back to work at the beginning of July so I've had a a very solid month of playing catch up with all the commissions and market stalls!! I got back in to the swing of things pretty quickly which helped and started back on the commissions with some easier products like the roses and hearts.

Once I got back into it fully there was no stopping me! I also got asked if I would like to come and preform demonstrations and a steam and vintage working show in Highbridge which of course I agreed too. I started buying in more equipment like a mini anvil and a portable forge. I also made a stand for a leg vice that I was given from a friend in France.  

On the 26th of July I was in Highbridge with all my main kit in hand and the weather being the hottest ever!!! and I'm stood out in it with my forge going. It was very thirsty work but so much fun. it was such a positive vibe form every one and they all enjoyed watching me work. I made paper knives, large door handles and little snakes (which proved popular with the kids). All in all it was a fantastic weekend.