Tuesday 13 June 2017

The not-obvious gate latch




When making nature-inspired gates I like to get the gate hardware to co-ordinate with the rest of the design. Quite successful here I think

You can see numerous gates and doors on our website 


get in touch: growingmetal@aol.com

07974873123

Wednesday 31 May 2017

Waterlily bowl in forged bronze






I visited one of my waterlily bowls today while measuring up at a client's house. Always a challenge to make as you can lose them after hours of work with a moment's inattention but I love making them. They are hot forged from silicon bronze sheet and can vary in size from 14" diameter to 9" diameter



www.andrew-findlay.com

growingmetal@aol.com




Wednesday 10 May 2017

The London Haven revisited







This was an interesting project made some years ago for the Haven breast cancer support centre, Effe Road, Fulham. It is a mixed metal piece combining a distressed zinc finish with stainless steel gingko biloba ornament. I revisited the project recently and am happy to say it is looking good and has not been vandalised in any way. The Haven continues to do fantastic work

Ginkgo leaves in forged stainless steel

One of a pair of railing panels 

Thursday 4 May 2017

Fireside set in two metals


Fireside set







 Still warm from the forge!   I thought it would be interesting to combine bronze and steel in this fireside set. All the tools have an oak leaf motif, as does the stand, which also has ivy twining around the centre. 
The ivy is made from polished silicon bronze to provide contrast. I have addressed the design problems normally associated with these sets, all the tools are comfortable to use, the hooks are generous so the tools hang securely and the base is stable with a compact footprint. 
The whole set can be moved easily using the hook at the top.

Monday 1 May 2017

Garden Shelter with style!!!



I really love this characterful corrugated iron shelter, it is at Portmeirion, the surreal village in North Wales designed by Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975. I am thinking of building something similar for our garden and possibly making them to commission. Perhaps I would omit the more recently added top crest, what do you think? Comments appreciated!!

See my work at www.andrew-findlay.com
Contact me at:  growingmetal@aol.com


Friday 28 April 2017

Season of the Green Man!!!

Tribute in forged steel





Everything's bursting into life at this time of year, the intense green of new leaves and grasses create an acid palette of colour all over the countryside. The mysterious Green Man symbolises all this. He is to be found in ancient Churches and Minsters all over Europe, usually carved in stone or wood, a discreet reminder of our Pagan past 

This piece is a tribute formed from steel using ancient blacksmithing techniques.

See more of my work at www.andrew-findlay.com or email me at
growingmetal@aol.com

Friday 14 April 2017

I just found this from last Autumn, a group of seed pod sculptures in their natural habitat!!
www.andrew-findlay.com

Wednesday 12 April 2017

Bronze components





Some forged bronze components during assembly I am working on at the moment. These will form part of a panel for an interior door



www.andrew-findlay.com

Wednesday 5 April 2017

Obelisks!!






We recently made four monumental garden obelisks for a client in Hampshire. They are 2.4m high and made of solid steel, not tube, so took four people to move them into position. Looking forward to seeing them planted up! Here they are in the workshop before finishing.

Monumental obelisks


Have a look at more of our garden work here

growingmetal@aol.com
07874 873123

Thursday 16 March 2017

Hand forged steel and copper interior gates




Earlier on in the year were asked to make 3 pairs of interior gates for french windows at a house in Chelsea that we have been supplying for many years. The primary purpose is to keep the dogs in but we think they look great too!
Steel and copper interior gate


 www.andrew-findlay.com

The gate is in hand forged and textured steel with individually made copper roses.




www.andrew-findlay.com

The gates match the curtain poles, exterior balustrading, door furniture and lighting that co-ordinate as part of the design scheme of the house.

Wednesday 15 March 2017

Art Nouveau Gates

We recently installed some gates for a mansion in the Cotswolds, lots of blackmsithing involved and an interesting distressed copper patina applied. They are inspired by the work of art nouveau blacksmith Emile Robert
Above shows the gates in the workshop before finishing,

and installed

www.andrew-findlay .com