DebbieJ

Definitely a pendant :) If she loves it, you can offer to make a ring to match for another occasion - and then get her size ;)

Beautiful - in every sense :) thanks for sharing.

Hey Ian! I'm missing what your meaning sorry! :unsure: Doh...

Are you going to have a yellow door?

Ian

That's great - thanks for your help :) and yes - see you there!

Hi - firstly - apologies if this is the wrong area to post this!

I'm setting up a workshop at home, or at least I was, but my neighbours (and building work) are becoming problematic before I've even started.

So, I'm wondering if there is anyone in the Bath UK area that only uses their forge / workshop part-time, OR, if there's someone who's in a similar situation and might consider sharing a workspace / industrial unit / other? I've got my own forge, anvils, etc - just need some space!

I'm quite new to blacksmithing but it's already great to be part of this community.

Thanks in advance,

Debbie

Thanks Joel - much appreciated! :)

I'll ask him. He's a busy family man though so I can't promise anything.

Yeah - I've already kinda got workshop envy from a guy I spent some time with... that's also a good reason for me to see some others too I suppose. Thanks for the contacts!

Alan Evans has a great setup , however if you get envious of awesome kit then it'll be a bad idea, Alan is an awesome chap to boot. ;) and then while you're in the area visit Beth as well.

Thanks Beth - I would love to come and see you - I'll message you :) I'm not even really sure what I'm going to make yet if I'm honest. I have crazy ideas but I don't know yet if I can translate them into the real thing - I've set aside a few months from my day job to have a go and see where I'm at. I'm quite creative and good with my hands, plus my basic training seemed to go quite well - knocked up the usual - hooks, candlesticks, towel rails, but nothing too exciting. Can't wait to get started for real and see just what I can get out of my head and into reality! :D

ian - i was just about to say the same! debbie im in glos - your MORE than welcome to come and visit my workshop, im an artist before a blacksmithrelly and truly, but i like to make all kinds of things, and depending on what kind of things you want to make, i can maybe help a bit. alan who ian just mentioned, is the real deal, and indeed, yes an awesome chap :) and a genius and proper artist smith. he lives near me. what kind of metalwork do you like or want to make? what are your areas of interest? :)

Hi Joel - just to visit other workshops really and talk to people who've been there and done it. I've got a builder that I work with (but he has no experience of anything like this!) so I'm trying to get / be the knowledge and he's helping with the conversion...

Do you think your contact in Frome might  be up for a chat? (No prob if not!)

Thanks :)

I know a builder turned blacksmith in Frome, are you thinking of employing someone to convert your space or just wanting to visit an up and running workshop?

Thanks for the pointers guys! And yes - should have been 7' not 7" - that would be special! :D

And yes - just on setting up the workshop at the moment - though I a certain that I will need blacksmithing advice after that!

Are you after blacksmithing advice or advice on how to build your workshop?

I won't comment ;) but if I'm ever over your way (and I may be towards the end of the year) I'll give you a shout!

I can't comment with regards to distance as I think of 200k's as not that far :D I thought that going from Luton to see Brighton and back to London on the same day was ok but my sister who lives in luton thought I was daft. But I must say that English smiths are really great folk !   

Thanks Mick :) that's really great! I'm researching a lot at the moment but just want to get cracking. I think I'll just have to give a few people a call. As Ian says - I hear that English smiths are really great and friendly, so maybe I should just not worry about picking up the phone!

Hopefully I'll see you at some shows at some point!

Hi All,

I'm setting up a coke forge in a derelict outbuilding at home near Bath... I would really like to get it right as it's costing me a small fortune in building work, electricals, etc.! Just asking for a bit of advice if possible as I've only ever worked in one other forge. So - I'm wondering if there are any friendly folk out there in the South West that wouldn't mind showing me their place and / or spending 15 minutes with me? It would be great to meet some fellow smiths too anyway.

I've got very little experience, but I love working with metal and so I'm just going for it. I've got quite a small area allocated and the ceiling is only 7" but I do have the luxury of an upper storey that I could knock up into which I'm thinking I might well have to...

Sorry - bit of an open question - I'll be doing some layout sketches tomorrow which will probably help.

Thanks in advance!

Debbie