It has been an exciting month in the forge with a lot of new collaboration on the horizon. I’ve had quite a few visitors, much more than I’m used to, and I think if it continues I’m going to have to start tidying up around the place. I’m one of those people who are really energized by a clean, tidy work area that’s nice to be in, but everything seems more important and more pressing that clearing things away at any given moment. I do, however, have some plans moving forward to make the workshop a lot more streamlined and easier to keep ship-shape, as well as being a prettier backdrop for the work I do.
A new stockist: Wherry Arts & Crafts
This month marks the beginning of a new stockist agreement. I will be in the beautiful Wherry Arts & Crafts in my home town of North Walsham. Come the 1st October, a wide selection of my work will be available in my largest shop presence yet. And the shop (more like gallery) really is beautiful. There are so many fabulous artists on display, but without feeling cramped. The selection gives a very “curated” feel with each artist given enough space to breathe a create an attention grabbing display. I myself will have the space of a beautiful pine dresser which is the first thing you see on reaching the 1st floor of the building. A building which is, so I’m told, one of the oldest in North Walsham being one of the first to be rebuilt after the town was ravaged by fire. The other artists in residence assure me that the spiritual presence in the picturesque attic isn’t malicious at all, and seems to be quite comfortable with me being around. The gallery overlooks the market square and is definitely worth perusing.
Collaboration: Slim’s BBQ
A presence at many local craft markets, this month I had a visit from Ben of Slim’s BBQ after meeting him at several events. Focusing on hand-made rubs and seasoning for all manner of outdoor cooking, Slim’s provide quite a large array of flavours for cooking fans. We met at Taverham Craft Fair and again at Worstead and identified that there was crossover between what he sells and my hand-forged cookware. He actually bought my first toasting fork. The two of us have brainstormed what I can make that would best suit his market layout, and agreed that I will be putting together a display of my work for him to take to the markets he frequents. Due to my dodgy ticker, I can’t get to as many craft markets as I would like, but by collaborating with Slim’s I can demonstrate a sample of what I can do with someone who seems almost as excited about my work as I am. This month has been a LOT more social than I am used to…
YouTube: Monthly Studio Vlog
Some people may have seen the shorts I have published on YouTube and Instagram over the past year or so. However I plan to open up the workshop and show more of what I’m doing in a longer-form monthly vlog series. I have always wanted to share the blacksmithing and my journey in the craft, and have been planning longer video content for quite a while. I’m hoping that by telling you this now, I’m going to have to actually do it. Much like the untidy bench which always magically seems like the lowest priority, something as daunting as making and publishing videos is very easy to put off. The first episode I have planned to be about my new display in Wherry Arts & Crafts. There is a lot that goes into the stocking, branding and displaying in a gallery which I would love to go into more detail about. If you would like to see the forging I do at the workshop, consider subscribing here.