Wrought Iron Decor

Modern blacksmith tools are not much different than the blacksmith tools of old. Since blacksmithing has been around for most of history, the tools have transformed to meet the needs of modern workers, but the basic uses are the same.

The most basic blacksmith tools are a hammer and anvil. Of course, the hammer is what is used to beat the metal or wrought iron that the blacksmith is trying to shape. The anvil is the hard surface upon which he casts his blows so that forging can take place. But there are different kinds of hammers and anvils depending on exactly what it is the blacksmith wants to get accomplished.

For instance, anvils can be made of steel, wrought iron, or cast iron. I do not recommend cast iron. But steel anvils and wrought iron anvils are the best.

As for hammers, a blacksmith may use a mechanical hammer or air hammer. Air hammers are best for hand forging and are used by a large number of blacksmiths who hand forge their metal or wrought iron products for sale or show.

Other blacksmith tools include tongs, leg vises, and forges. Tongs of course are used to hold metal. When a blacksmith forges metal or wrought iron it is hot so you can’t hold it with your bare hands. That’s what the tongs are for. A leg vise is a vise with a leg that offers the blacksmith additional stability. It is a necessary component to any blacksmith shop because you don’t want hot metal moving around while you are trying to hammer it. You could end up brushing up against it and burning yourself.

Perhaps the most important blacksmith tool of all, however, is the forge. This is the item that contains the fire for heating metal. A blacksmith cannot operate without his forge. One of the most popular types of forges is the coal forge. Just as the name implies, the coal forge is powered by coal. But a blacksmith could just as well use a gas forge.

All of these tools together are necessary for a blacksmith to forge any type of metal. The blacksmith heats up his forge and softens his metal by heating it. For this he uses his tongs. He then places the metal object into his leg vise to hold it while he hammers it against the anvil. This process is known as hand forging and is still in use today by blacksmiths.

While these same basic blacksmith tools have been around since the early days of blacksmithing there have been some developments for the better. For instance, early forges might have been made of stone or clay. Today they are usually made of metal or cast iron. In order to forge the metal he is working with the blacksmith must manage the fire and air flow from the forge and shape his iron using the hammer. It is not easy work. But a fine craftsman can use his tools to create a masterpiece of artwork that has functionality as well as decorative uses. All of these blacksmith tools deserve the utmost respect from those who enjoy the final creations.

Wrought iron and wine racks go together like horse and buggy. Both of these bare necessities/luxury items have a rich tradition and long history.

Of course, we all know that wine has been a staple of Western civilization since before the iron age. But wrought iron itself has its own story to tell. With very low carbon levels, wrought iron has been a major element of toolmaking for a very long time. Before steel took over, swords and blades, nails and rivets, and practically anything made from malleable steel products was made out of wrought iron. I’d imagine that ancient wine racks were made from the material as well.

Regardless of the type of material Romans, Egyptians, and Sumerians used to build their wine racks and other storage facilities, we know they used wrought iron to build many other things. Because the material is strong it has a wide range of uses.

Today, wrought iron is still used but it isn’t a primary material like it used to be. Many things that were made from wrought iron in ages past are now made from metal. But wine racks are still made using wrought iron and some of the most elaborate designs can make for some great décor. These wine racks are not just for storage, but they can also be used to beautify a room or an entire house.

Wrought iron wine racks can be large or small. They can stand in the corner of one room or line an entire wall. They can be short or tall. But they are rarely ugly.

A wrought iron wine rack can accentuate the wine it holds as well as keep it preserved for future use. They are sturdy and last longer than plain wood wine racks though they can often have the same look as wood. If you paint your wrought iron wine rack just right, it could be difficult to tell the difference without an up close inspection.

The process to make a wine rack from wrought iron takes place in several steps. The iron has to be heated to such a degree that the iron becomes soft and bends. The blacksmith then uses a hammer and anvil to sculpt it into shape. Next, the blacksmith must cool the iron so that it can hold its shape. This usually involves letting the iron sit, but it can’t just sit without protecting the shape that was forged. It must be held into place with materials that will not allow it move or shift until the hardening process is complete.

Hand forging wrought iron in this manner is a specialized skill that must be learned. Many hours of practice go into forging wrought iron wine racks so that wine lovers with a taste for the exquisite can enjoy their wine the right way. A good wine rack must be able to hold the wine without dropping it or cracking it. It must preserve the wine for future consumption while allowing it to showcase its beauty and wrought iron is the perfect material for this important task.

This Post Was Written By: Robert Meckley, Robert is a blacksmith who uses traditional hand forging equipment with modern technology to craft the highest quality wrought iron products available. He lives and works in the Pigeon Hills in South Central Pennsylvania. Visit his website at www.pigeonhillforge.com

Often times the heirloom furniture and accessories we pass down from generation to generation carry with them a story. It’s a history of where it has been, who’s had it, how it came about and more. Even new Wrought Iron Decor has a deep history as the truly authentic pieces are still made by hand using time honored techniques.

One of the authentic wrought iron items with a deep history is the Wrought Iron Courting Candle Holder.

In the 1600’s to the 1800’s, courting candles were used by the man of the home to set boundaries for his daughter. When the daughter’s suitor came calling, the father lit the candle in a sitting room where the couple conversed. When the candles burnt to the metal at the top of the candle holder, it was time for the suitor to promptly leave. However, the father could change the height of the candle based on how comfortable he felt about the suitor. Also, the father could immediately snuff out the candle or add a second candle depending on what he deemed necessary. The courting candle served as a quiet, yet firm reminder to the suitor to end his date.

Rich or poor, the courting candle was used by fathers from all economic backgrounds. It taught daughters to respect their parents’ judgment. The candle also taught the suitor to defer to the father’s ability to judge a man. Although it may sound like a crazy notion by today’s standards, the courting candle served as an important boundary line in the family and social fabrics.

– Read the complete history of the courting candle here.

– Get your own handmade wrought iron courting candle holder.

A Wrought Iron Buyers Guide that actually helps you make the right purchasing decision, rather than just trying to sell you something! It may be a rare find but it’s a valuable one none the less!

“You Get What You Pay For,” it has been said, repeated and proven and it couldn’t be truer in the home furniture industry, specifically in the wrought iron furniture and home decor segment. Before you go and shell out hundreds or thousands of dollars on your next wrought iron furniture and home decor purchase take the time to educate yourself on how to make the most of your investment, by knowing what to look for.

Find all of the helpful information you need on making your next wrought iron investment in the “Wrought Iron Buyer’s Guide”

Here is a little sample of what you’ll find in the Buyer’s Guide:

How To Know If It’s Authentic Wrought Iron

Look for pieces that are truly forged or wrought and not cast. You can tell if the iron décor you are purchasing is authentic by examining the scrolls, finials, welded joints and other decorative parts for the tell-tale signs of cast and machined iron.

On cheap items you will find seams from the case and half welded joints, prone to fatigue and moisture damage. If you look closely, the texture will be faint like the way cheaper pressed window molding looks vs. the elegant and much more durable carved trim.

Finials or decorative pieces on cast items will have a light, mass-produced look and feel to them, many will have noticeable seams. Trace over sections of the wrought iron to check for rough spots, splits, breaks or flaws that compromise the tensile strength and invite rust.

Artist Reputation & References

Check the references of an artisan hired to create custom railings, fencing or gates. Ask to contact previous clients and to see photos of the work. Visit the artisan’s forge, if possible.

If you are conscious of the environment and enjoy shopping on-line, make sure you buy from a reputable dealer who carries quality products. Take a look at the videos and pictures the site has.

Reputable websites have extremely detailed images highlighting the unique design characteristics, finishes, and the attention to detail of each item. This allows you to see and feel the texture and quality. If it looks good close up in a picture, it will take your breath away in person!

Where to Buy

Specialty shops, ones that carry iron and only … read on…

Read the entire Wrought Iron Buyer’s Guide click here.

There is nothing like the natural soft glow of a flickering candle wick slowly burning in the room. But there’s more to the candles beauty than just its unique wax composition and burning flame, the candle holders themselves have become a necessary part of every homes interior design.

Wrought Iron candle holders are amongst the most popular choice to decoratively and safely display your candles. Iron Candle Holders have stood the test of time, they have developed into detailed artistic expressions from the most rustic designs to impressive modern master pieces, yet still some haven’t changed a bit staying simple and original.

When choosing a wrought iron candle holder you are bound to run into a few dilemmas, first one being which one do I choose?!? With hundreds of designs and styles to choose from you will first want to pick the area in your room where you would most like to add some decoration and eventually candle light. I would also recommend picking out the iron candle holder before you pick out your candles because candles are a dime a dozen and can be found in thousands of different sizes, shapes, and colors to fit your candle holder.

Moving on… Decide where your candle holder will go, on the wall, table, fireplace, centerpiece, or floor. Then ask yourself a simple question,

what style candle holder fits my unique tastes, rustic iron candle holders like the ones from the pine collection might fit in your cabin like setting while the copper candle wall sconces would find themselves much more at home in a modern home design setting.

Once you know where your wrought iron candle holder is going to go and what you general design preference is, it’s time to shop! Make sure to look at the detailed pictures and measure your area to ensure your candle holders will fit both literally and in scale with everything else in the room.

Iron candle sconces, pillar candle holders, and wrought iron candelabras are beautiful accents for any one of your rooms. The hardest part about buying metal candle holders is deciding from the many designs and styles out there. So go prepared and don’t be afraid to spend a little on yourself, a healthy life starts with comfortable surroundings and nothing is more comforting than the natural glow of a burning candle on a safe and decorative metal candle holder.

By the way, just because your new candle holder looks to beautiful and artistic to use its not. Light your candles, enjoy your purchase and use it over and over again, that’s what it was intended for, or just use it as decor, either way I know you’ll enjoy your beautiful new candle holder.

Shop for your perfect Metal Candle Holder at Timeless Wrought Iron

While browsing through one of my favorite places to buy wrought iron I ran across a wonderful article on how to care for your wrought iron furniture and decor. Now even though quality wrought iron furniture will last for generations, the iron frame will out last the finish… unless you take care of it. And its not only the iron that should be cared for, its the accents like copper, wood, and glass that come with some styles of iron tables and chairs for example that need to be taken care of as well, to keep them looking like new for generations to come.

Simple cleaning and care can extend the life of your wrought iron furniture for generations, I clean mine not everyday but it gets cleaned and maintained so that the luster and beauty are still there when I pass my table and chairs on to my kids.

Here is a sample from the “How to Care for Wrought Iron Furniture” article I found, it should be very informational for you as it was for me. They even suggest what types of chemicals to use in this article. The text is a little like a sales pitch since it is from a site that sells wrought iron furniture and decor but its very useful information, here’s a sample from the article on how to keep your finish looking new:

(Finish: All of the finishes we offer have a standard durable natural black finish unless otherwise specified. Hand-applied premium finishes are applied over a baked on powder coat base finish and are slightly more delicate but can be maintained in the same way. To maintain your finish we recommend a regular dusting with a soft lint-free cloth and the occasional application of furniture wax to keep a clean protective coating on the finish. A few products we recommend are; Lemon Lite – a cleaner and polish that is simply sprayed on and wiped off, more product info… Shield – is a high gloss multi surface polish that is non-abrasive and creates a protective coating more product info…; Brilliance – is an all-purpose surface cleaner that will not leave a high gloss coating on your finish if a natural mate finish is what you prefer, more product info… One Touch Wonder Wax, is a simple to use spray on wax that creates a durable and protective wax coating on your wrought iron furniture finish, more product info…,” Written By: Timeless Wrought Iron)

Hopefully you find this as useful as I did! Click here to read the full article…

P.S. If you have any questions about caring for your iron decor that has not been answered in the article, they have a simple form where you can submit your questions. I tried it and they got back to me within the 24-48 hrs. that they say it may take. It actually only took them 3 hr to get back to the question I submitted.

We hear this all the time…

People are always in awe over the exquisite beauty seen in hand forged wrought iron decor. They’re amazed at the blacksmiths ability to take cold, hard, lifeless iron and turn it into warm, beautifully crafted organic shapes that reflect the beauty of nature. A perfect scroll, for example, is demonstrated so wonderfully in the shape and structure of the nautilus.

Wrought Iron decor is available in a variety of design styles from rustic to more modern and contemporary designs. Wrought Iron creates a perfect balance of nature, fine lines and exquisite design in the spaces where we live, work and play.

Though the standard techniques of working with iron haven’t changed for more the 200 years, blacksmiths continue to push the envelope with new wrought iron design. Some of the most beautiful wrought iron decor is that of which is forged to replicate the textures and natural look that Mother Nature herself creates. The replications of branches, leaves, fruits and other natural items are so detailed it feels like you took it from nature itself and cast it in iron. As artisans, blacksmiths pride themselves on innovative designs and quality craftsmen ship. You’ll be able to see it and feel it in their work giving you a whole new appreciation for quality iron decor.

There are thousands of hard to find wrought iron items available for you to enjoy start your search for the perfect Wrought Iron Items at Timeless Wrought Iron where we have more than 1,500 wrought iron items to choose from and more are coming! If something isn’t available our custom capabilities are only limited to your imagination. Even the hand forge custom work ships out in 2-3 weeks. Get inspired to create an oasis in you home, office or cabin with wrought iron decor.

Yesterday we made an installation video for our visitors to enjoy and hopefully gain some knowledge from; however, this video making stuff is not as easy as it looks apparently…
The video is an informational one on how to hang a simple wrought iron towel bar in your bathroom. The towel bar was to be mounted on a small area of wall, just bellow some of the clients existing copper wall art and it was to be mounted into drywall. It turns out that even after careful preparation, planning and rehearsing we would run into a stud, even thought we marked them and told everyone in the introduction that we would be avoiding the one and only corner stud in this wall, we hit it. “Its not a bad thing,” its actually a good thing since ideally you would like to mount anything that will have stress applied to it into the wall stud but for us we had already told everyone that it would be a pure drywall mount. Oops!
So we kept filming a corrected ourselves but the video seems long and under panned so its launch onto the helpful tips and hints page of our wrought iron web site might be stalled. “The towel bar turned out great despite everything and another client was again supper satisfied,” just in case you were wondering.

Here are some more pictures of the most recent project:
I plan on making many more helpful videos for you and the rest of our visitors so that everyone can feel confident about installing their own home decor, whether it is curtain rods for the living room or hanging pot racks for the kitchen.
If you have any suggestions about video making and editing please share it!! I would be happy to hear what you have to say. If you would like an installation video of something specific or think people could benefit from let me know, we’ll make one for you and post it to our web site. You could even have your own home made how-to-video posted on our site if you would like! Simply send your video to me via email or conventional mail (USPS) and I’ll review and let you know whether it’s fit for the site or not.Technorati Profile