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Sunday, 25 September 2011 20:29
THE SMITHS SAINT DAY
Did you know that November the 23rd is St Clements day? St Clement is the patron saint of blacksmiths . According to that font of all knowledge (!) - Wikipedia, many legends surround Saint Clement . some suggest he was the first man to refine iron from ore, and to shoe a horse. Clementine customs may be survivals of earlier pagan rituals, a confusion of Saint Clement with the early Saxon, Wayland the smith, a mythical metalworker. He shares this feast day, which marks the beginning of winter, with the saint.Apparently St Clement’s day was traditionally celebrated by eating, drinking beer and singing – sounds good to us.
SHOPS – BOTH ACTUAL AND ONLINE
So, what’s been happening here at Ferric Fusion? Well not enough stock and too little time is probably the best way of summing it up. We have been up to our eyeballs, so much so that we have not been able to sign up for some of the Christmas craft shows we were hoping to. Of course we are not grumbling. Not enough stock means we have been selling it and that’s a good thing. This month has been spent mainly finishing off commissions and making sure the new “Origin West Wales Artists and Makers” shop is well stocked. Origin, for those that don’t know, is a cooperative that represents the work of over 25 local artists and makers. Origin now has a website http://www.origincarmarthen.co.uk. There are some really talented makers in West Wales and the new shop is busy, busy, busy……
Talking of talent, there is a brand new online shop called Pembrokeshire Creations and Beyond that has been set up by Llinos Field. Visit the website at http://www.pembrokeshirecreations.com The site showcases some of the best West Wales craftspeople. Ferric Fusion were delighted to be asked to be part of the venture.
Whilst you are perusing the web you must go and look at Moira White’s beautiful fused glass jewellery. She is also a member of Origin and has some jewellery in the Pembrokeshire Creations shop. Moira’s glass work, which is made at her Moriath Glass Studio,is exquisite. The jewellery looks good enough to eat. Visit her website at http://www.moriathglass.co.uk where you can see all her products and also order online.
COURSES, THE MEDIA AND LOCAL ACCOMMODATION
Our media coverage continues. Our courses had a mention in the supplement of Men’s Health magazine this month (blacksmithing is the perfect activity for health conscious men who want to do something physical at the weekend). People often ask us where they can stay that is local to the forge. We are happy to give them details on local B&B’s, there are some superb ones within a few miles of us. We thought it might be nice to occasionally feature in our blog ones that our customers have stayed at, so our first local accommodation feature is on Llety Cynon.
Our customers that have stayed at Llety Cynin have been full of praise for it. Around 5 minutes (by car) from the forge, Lletty Cynin is in a lovely rural setting. It is graded as 4 star Guest Accommodation & 3 star Self Catering! The venue offers not only accommodation but also a leisure club with a fantastic swimming pool. Have a look at their website for details http://www.lletycynin.co.uk/
NB – they are offering a free continental breakfast at the moment for anyone who books direct by telephone or email before the 31st of December
FERRIC FUSION’S TOP 10 BLACKSMITHING BOOKS.
And finally for our blog this month – our list of top reads for smiths. Despite the wonders of the internet you still can’t beat a good book. Below are Ferric Fusion’s personal top 10 books. All the ones below are available via Amazon. http://www.amazon.co.uk
Do you have a smithing book you’d recommend? – Let us know.
1. The Artist Blacksmith: Design and Techniques by Peter Parkinson, (published by The Crowood Press Ltd (2001)
For anyone interested in modern art blacksmithing who doesn’t know where to start. Parkinson’s is by far the best introductory book on the topic. 5 stars on Amazon and justifiably great reviews. Good illustrations and photos – a must for any smith’s library.
2. New Edge of the Anvil: A Resource Book for the Blacksmith by Jack Andrews (Skipjack Press 1994)
Before Parkinson’s book this was the standard textbook I always recommended for people starting out in blacksmithing. It introduces you to all the tools and techniques you need. Andrews has a good clear writing style. This is an excellent resource book.
3. Decorative and Sculptural Ironwork: Tools, Techniques and Inspiration (Schiffer Book for Collectors) by Dona Z. Meilach (Schiffer Publishing Ltd; 2nd Revised edition edition, 1999)
Loads of illustrations. Lives up to its title - inspiring. I love this little book. There is a great chapter on carving animal shapes. For blade smiths there is a chapter on knives, choppers and scissors and a whole chapter on Damascus steel. Nice to see something a bit different.
4. Art Metalforging by David Hawkins (A & C Black Publishers Ltd. Nov 2002)
A Beautifully illustrated book – lots of photographs. It includes a section on makers and their work where you can see pictures of work by my father, David Petersen and my brother Toby as well as, on page 46, a great shot of the family forge where we run our blacksmithing courses. This isn’t why I’ve included it (!) – It is truly a gorgeous book.
5.To Draw, Upset and Weld: Work of the Pennsylvania Rural Blacksmith, 1742-1935 . Edited by Jeannette Lasansky (Pennsylvania State University Press 1981)
A fascinating insight into traditional smithing in North America during the colonisation. There are strong links between Pennsylvania and Wales, which is where I am based. Many miners settled there and there is still a Welsh Society there that organises Eisteddfodau
6. The Blacksmith's Craft: An Introduction to Smithing for Apprentices and Craftsmen Rural Development Commission (1997)
Classic text with a first edition in 1961
7. The Village Blacksmith by Ronald Webber (Country Book Club / R U; Reprint edition 1972)
Another golden oldie, full of tales and anecdotes relating to everything of a smithing nature. A treasure chest compendium of fascinating facts and fables.
8. De Re Metallica. Written by Georgius Agricola. Translated by Herbert and Lou Hoover. (Dover Publications Inc. 1912)
First published in 1556. Translated by Herbert Hoover (the U.S President and mining engineer.) and his wife. This is an amazingly detailed book on all aspects of metallurgy and mining in the early 17th century. A must for all history fans (if slightly hard work in places).
9.Metal Techniques for Craftsmen by Oppi Untracht (Robert Hale Ltd; illustrated edition edition 1985)
A lavishly illustrated and detailed book covering all aspects of metal working from metals themselves to techniques, tools and finishing. Smithing, annealing, forging, casting and other methods of metal fabrication are all covered.
And finally for number 10 a book we haven’t got – yet!
10 Artist Blacksmithing 3 Volume Set: Basics of Style, Classical Techniques of Hand Forged Iron, Pattern Book for the Artist Blacksmith by Max Metzger (published by Ruhloff 2009)
Aaron says – “I haven’t got this but it looks amazing, though at £121 a copy it’s going to have to sit on the wish list a bit longer. A classic text rediscovered –this 3 volume set contains a rare pattern book as well as a section on technique and one on the basics of style. I have hinted to my lovely wife that Christmas is just around the corner……you never know”.
Aaron's lovely wife says – “get in that forge and make more stock!”
Well that’s it for this month – well talk again before Christmas – “Hwyl Fawr am nawr!” - Bye for now.
Aaron & Trudi Petersen
We have been incredibly busy since we launched our blog and new website. Being busy means that admin work, such as blog upkeep, tends to get put on the back burner. We do intend to blog about once a month from now on. You can look forward to a range of topics. In the meantime here’s an update of what Ferric Fusion has been up to.
Crafts in the Bay exhibition, Cardiff. Run by the Makers Guild in Wales http://www.makersguildinwales.org.uk Crafts in the Bay is one of Wales’s top galleries for contemporary crafts. Earlier this year members of the cooperative were invited to work alongside a non- member, specialising in a different medium to their own, to produce works that fused both materials. This offered artists the opportunity to explore exciting new developments and share creative concepts.
Aaron was invited to participate by member Billy Adams. Irish born, Cardiff based, ceramicist Billy is a Fellow of the Craft Potters Association. (www.cpaceramics.co.uk). He specialises in vessel forms influenced by landscape and the elements. His work has been exhibited internationally and is recognised as being highly collectable.
Their joint body of work was shown at the “Material Connections II” exhibition held in May 2011 at the Flourish Gallery in the heart of Cardiff. The combination of Billy’s textural ceramics and Aaron’s forged ironwork made for a strong combination resulting in a series of striking pieces including vessels, sculptures and wall mounted art. Celtic themes, mythology and archaeological references were a cohesive link throughout the collection. Feedback from those attending was extremely positive. One piece, “Dali dreams of sheep “was sold almost immediately to a guest who took it back home to America.
Art at Waunifor. Aaron was asked to exhibit at the ‘Art at Waunifor’ end of summer exhibition in August. The setting of Waunifor is truly beautiful, nestled in the West Wales countryside, it is a little gem. Waunifor offer accommodation and a range of courses. Have a look at their website http://www.waunifor.com/ The exhibition showcased artists of very high quality and attracted a good number of visitors.
The new Origin gallery and shop in Carmarthen. Origin is a cooperative of artists and craftspersons that has been running for over 20 years. Ferric Fusion is an active member. As well as selling products in the shop Aaron regularly works behind the counter. Previously called ‘Origin Dyfed’, now rebranded “Origin West Wales Artists and Makers”. They have just moved from their old base in Blue Street to King Street at the top end of town. Members worked their socks off cleaning, painting, sanding floors and restocking in time for the grand opening in September. The opening was a great success and it looks likely that the move will be a good one. The new premises are a great deal larger than the previous one and are likely to attract a much larger number of visitors.
King Street is an exciting place for artists and craftspersons to be based at the moment. The already established King Street Gallery (www.kingstreetgallery.co.uk/) and Oriel Myrddin (www.orielmyrddingallery.co.uk) give the area a distinctive creative “feel”. It is hoped that the area will attract more businesses of a similar nature. An experimental pedestrianisation scheme tried out by the council seemed to work well and we would hope that this would be reintroduced to increase footfall and improve the overall shopping experience of visitors. By the way if you are in the area and want really good food in a chilled out atmosphere you couldn’t do better than to eat at the new Parrot cafe bar (record shop upstairs, cafe downstairs, music venue by night) – probably the best vegeburgers in town!
You can find Origin on Facebook (search for “Origin West Wales Artists and Makers”. Details of their new website coming soon - watch this space
Myddfai Festival. May saw us setting up our stall at the Mydffai Festival. Myddfai is a very special little village in rural Carmarthenshire. Steeped in history. It is famous as the home of the Physicians of Myddfai, 12th century herbalist healers. More recently it hit the headlines when Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, chose it as their Welsh base. Their house on the Llwynywermod estate, complete with a192-acre organic farm attached, sits close to the village.
With no amenities, no shop, pub or school; not even a mobile phone signal, Myddfai was at risk of becoming a ‘ghost village’. However the community’s Village SOS project has turned this around. Myddfai is now its own ‘brand’. http://www.myddfai.com was set up to revive the village’s fortunes. All profits from online sales are pumped back into the community. (Search for Myddfai on the SOS parent website http://www.villagesos.org.uk). We wish the Myddfai project all the best and hope we can continue to support them as their community regenerates. (Oh and HRH – if you want some Carmarthenshire made ironwork – you know where to come!).
What’s coming up?
The countdown to the Winter Fair at Aberglasney has begun (http://www.aberglasney.org) This year’s event promises something for everyone; with crafts stalls, Welsh produce and food and a host of other interesting stalls and displays. Perfect for finding that tricky Christmas gift
Social networking. Ironworking may be an ancient craft but that doesn’t mean we are completely antediluvian. Many of today’s craft workers are a techno savvy lot. One of our aims over the coming months is to improve our social networking. We are already on Twitter – follow us at www.twitter.com/FerricFusion. Look out for our Ferric Fusion Facebook site coming soon.
Our website. A good website is a must. We are very lucky to work with a talented website producer and photographer – David Evans. Have a look at some of his atmospheric photos and portraits at http://postcardfromwales.tumblr.com/ We are looking forward to him doing a filmed virtual tour of the forge soon– U Tube here we come!
Ferric Fusion in the media. We have had a lot of media coverage to do with our course lately, including an interview on Radio Wales and articles in the Carmarthen Journal (see http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/step-time-pick-smithing-skills/story-12812711-detail/story.html), Carmarthenshire Life and a fantastic two page spread in the Sunday Telegraph (seehttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/countryside/8774606/Blacksmithing-forges-ahead.html), as well as a mention in this month’s NFU “Countryside” Magazine.
Our courses continue to do well – we are now taking bookings from November onwards.
Aaron is working hard on replenishing gallery stock as well as hitting deadlines for a number of commissions. We’ll tell you more about that in our next blog as well as details of some of our new designs and items.
So, until the next blog (which will be in about a month) – “Hwyl Fawr am nawr!” - Bye for now.
Trudi & Aaron Petersen