Market stall, round 2

I was back again for a second round at the harbour side market, bigger and better then ever filling up two tables worth of amazing quality ironwork. I love talking to new people about my work and sharing my passion for the craft with everyone who took interest. My sign bracket also made its first viewing too and hit off really well gaining lots of interest. I was extremely pleased with how it all went this time and look forward to doing it all again for a third round next month.   

New sign bracket

I have finished the paint job on the bracket now and here is the finished photo. It will go on display at my stall this Sunday at the harbour side market before I put it on the wall of my workshop.

Traditional sign making

I don't normally do traditional for but for this I went all out. To try and bring in some business I started looking at forged sign brackets, thinking of other markets I could appeal to. So I set out to design my own one for my business, I was thinking of designing it in my own aesthetics but as I already had a wall bracket like that I wanted something that stood out from everything else I'd made before.
Here it is in pieces before I riveted it together and made the anvil sign as you can see It's very different to what I normally do.

 
Here it is fully built, there were a few areas that proved difficult with drilling and riveting but it came together in the end and the anvil looks fantastic!!! 

I've started putting on the first coat of paint and and will give you a final update and photo when the painting is complete.

 

First Market Stall

Last Sunday was my very first Market stall at the Harbourside market in the Bristol Center. After a week of non-stop forging and preparation for this stall, I was very pleased with the layout and how it all went. I also learnt a lot and have some new ideas for the next one. I intend to always have something new at each stall I do so that there is always something fresh to look at. And a huge thanks to all for their help and support.

To those who still haven't checked out my website please take a look for a load more images of my work.

http://jbullblacksmith.wix.com/hammerandtongs    

For those Who picked up a business card at the market stall today please take a look at my website and Facebook page.

Website:- jbullblacksmith.wix.com/hammerandtongs

Preparing for my first market stall.

This Sunday ( February 23rd ) I will be running my very first stall at the Harbourside Market here in Bristol. So I'm spending this week making as much stock as I can in preparation for it, this has been a good opportunity to try and make new products I've never done before like curtain tie backs, Latches, etc. These are just some of the products that I will be selling at the stall this Sunday, It's between 9am and 4pm so please come on down and show your support for the local Bristol Blacksmith.  

 

A quiet Christmas

I know its been a long time since I've done a blog update and I need to get back into the habit again. After a very busy November it seems to have quietened down this month but I can talk about some of the pieces I've been working on some of these haven't even made it on to the Facebook page yet. So here's your early bird special.

These ones you should recognize as they are on the facebook page and I believe that one of them is on the website too. But to those of you who only read my blog here are two sets of coat hooks mounted on to wood which I think is a lovely added touch.  

Here are my two recent commissions I've had this month, The main one being this huge cupcake stand which I must admit has been one of the biggest challenges I've done since I set myself up as a business. I know its not a great photo as I still have to get hold of some cupcakes to take some professional photos for the website and Facebook page but as you can see full of petals and flowing forms. I would say this is not normally my style of work but it came out very well and showed that I can take on anything!!  

Roses are always popular it seems no matter what time of year, which is good news for me, but its always even better when I know that the rose is being given to a someones partner as a gift. I do love making roses, especially the red painted ones. I've got a feeling I'll be making a lot of these over the next two months for valentines days where expect a big demand!       

Making jewellery has been a small pass time which I've started to become quite fond of. Here are a few of the ones I made recently and an idea of what is to come.  

This is one I'm very proud of and hope it will become very popular. I keep getting asked if I do smaller guitar hooks that could be done so more people could afford it and here it is, version one of the design and I want to get a guitar on it as soon as possible. This style guitar hook I'm pricing at £50. What do all think for the price? Consider the other two hooks are priced at £320 and £120 this one seems like a bargain!!