April 25, 2008

Mark's work

Mark's away at a blacksmith conference which got me thinking about some of his hand-forged ironwork.

This acanthus scroll is an end to a drapery rod:

as is this leaf cluster:

This is an installed drapery rod with custom bracket in a client's home:

Some metalsmiths buy ready-made stamped leaves, tack weld them to a metal rod and call it art. Mark hand forges his pieces. Each detail is shaped by heat, hammer, strength and artistry.

“In other part stood one who, at the forge
Labouring, two massy clods of iron and brass
Had melted.”
- John Milton

31 comments:

Lisa's RetroStyle said...

Does Mark sell his work somewhere. He does lovely work.

High Desert Diva said...

Mostly he does custom work.

He has an Etsy shop with a few small items in it (more to come) but nothing large scale.

ManleyMetalWorks.etsy.com

Anonymous said...

wow... I'm impressed and also with the John Milton quote. :)

Anonymous said...

I used to be in a singing group that would perform at a local "Autumn Feast". There were and still are blacksmiths with their wonderful aggressive methods of creating things of beauty. Hard work, but the reward and final product is well worth it. Thanks to these men who hold on to crafts of days gone by! :)

Michelle Engel Bencsko said...

He really needs to get some of these works in his shop. Maybe do a custom listing for curtain rods? Wall hooks? Something!
These are so impressive!

High Desert Diva said...

I know, I know...it's the time thing. 5 days of landscaping/tractor work, 4 day blacksmith conference, then...you know....his "real" job!

Parallax Photo said...

beautiful work!

Angela said...

Those are amazing!

Unknown said...

Wow, these are just beautiful! He is incredibly talented!

tatsuko said...

Wow, wonderful work he does!

Grizzly Mountain Arts said...

The craftsmanship in his pieces is amazing! Any craft shows lined up for the summer? He should consider doing a couple of the Bend Saturday Markets to get custom orders. There's usually other large item type artists that will have a booth with a few examples of their work along with a photo portfolio of completed pieces.

Victoria said...

Wow, what amazing talent and craftsmanship! Each one is beautiful, I particularly like the leaf cluster.

BaldyLocks said...

His blacksmithing skills are better than I've ever seen. Those are absolutely stunning.

Sarah McBride said...

those are just beautiful! You are one lucky lady to have all that talent at your disposal! Those are great!

Ed Mahony said...

Really great work.
How fulfilling it must be to do this for a job (and I bet well paid too as there is a shortage of this skill, I imagine).

'Forged artwork' - are you sure? Looks genuine to me. Ho, ho ..

High Desert Diva said...

Eamon...you're right of course...I've changed my wording there :-)

Jo...Mark did art shows years ago, not sure if he's up for that again...we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for all the compliments...I'll pass them along!

amy said...

Whoa!
That is AWESOME!

Mrs.French said...

Amazing...my husband dreams of being able to do this! Plus there is just something romantic about the word "blacksmith."

T. Kimberlyn said...

Wow....true craftsmanship....Beautiful work

Anonymous said...

These are incredibly stunning. I love floral ironwork. What a lucky lady you are to have a husband who can forge gorgeous things for your house!

Hey Harriet said...

Beautiful work! & how lucky he is to have you so lovingly promote his wares :)

Simply Wired Custom Jewelry said...

OMG...this is gorgeous stuff! You must absolutely love filling your home with his pieces.

StaroftheEast said...

Your husband makes gorgeous things!!!

Anonymous said...

Well didn't you snag a talented one?? How lovely his work is. I love anything metal. I sure wouldn't mind drapery rods looking like that!

Anonymous said...

Oh my, these are so amazingly gorgeous! I love the leaf cluster! You have quite the talented husband!

littlebird said...

Oooh i really like the leaf cluster one, in the middle.

Penelope said...

Ohmygosh! These are just gorgeous! What a wonderful talent Mark has- I can't believe some smithies get pre-made leaves!! My world is crashing down...my Dad was a blacksmith when I was born, so I've always had a romantic view of them- and I have a crush on the one at a pioneer museum I went to last year. I still think about him...it's very annoying! :)

Smarty Pants said...

Mark's work is absolutely stunning. Huge talent!

Caroline said...

Wow, that's incredible!

Unknown said...

really beautiful detailing, absolutely impressive :)

Unknown said...

Blacksmithing is SUCH an impressive art form. I have a good friend in Colorado who is a master goldsmith, and he always used to tell me how blacksmiths had his highest esteem. Mark is talented!!

Oh, and I am sure you will get spring flowers too. You are much further north than we are, my dear! Hang in there, spring will reach you too.