My journey to making sculptures

At first the business was very focused on creating bespoke pieces of hand forged metalwork that were both functional and artistic.

This is one of my very first craft shows. The ranges expanded and I also go the odd commission but I always had the feeling there was something missing.

I listened to my customers and started to get more artistic and less functional within my pieces, this brought me on an organic journey to where I am currently of making the functional and artistic pieces here www.foreverforged.co.uk as well as branching out into making the sculptures that I love.

My Introduction to Blacksmithing

In between school and starting 6th Form I was given the opportunity to be part of a group called "REAP" They were doing a brilliant job of promoting dying crafts and put on taster sessions for young adults. These included such traditions as hedge laying, dry stone walling and of course Blacksmihting.

And guess what? I fell in love.

It defiantly wasn't easy and I didn't seam to have any sort of flair or gift, I couldn't even pick my sandwich up at dinner time as my arm ached so much!

Amongst other things I made this abstract birdcage

But I was hooked.

So I spent all my time looking to get work experience with Blacksmiths and I did so even whilst at University studying Design Technology. Whilst in my final year at University I signed up to a Business mentoring scheme set up for people looking to start their own business. SO whilst doing my Dissertation I was planning my website, doing business plans and looking for premises.

At my final degree show my website had just gone live and in my own head I had already left University. On the cusp of a great adventure. . . .

In the Beginning. . .

Way back when I was about 16, I created my frist sculpture. It is still there placed majesticly within gthe rolling hills of Derbyshire.

We had a special village picnic and unvailing day.I had made the piece for my final Art project at school.  Little did I know back then this would turn into a full career. . . 

This sculpture was created without me having any idea of what a Blacksmith was, but obviously the spark was there.. . .

Hello, And welcome to the secret world of an Artist Blacksmith.
I am always asked about my creative process when creating my sculptures and I wish to share this with you. Here I hope to detail my inspirations and process that goes on unknown behind the scenes.

x Hayley x