I was born in Northwood, Middlesex where I served an apprenticeship to an Architectural Metal Worker for seven years, also studying engineering at Uxbridge College. I continued to work as a Blacksmith in Middlesex, London and the surrounding areas.
In 1991, I moved from Northwood to the village of Berriew in Mid Wales where I now live with my family and where I slowly built up a blacksmithing business from home, and then in 1996 set up a forge at Glansevern Hall. In 2000 I bought the spacious Berriew Wharf, where I work today.
I am creative and artistic by nature with a passion for my chosen profession combined with a strong desire to preserve old, traditional methods of blacksmithing.
The process involved is to heat iron in a furnace or forge and hammer it into shape. Some other terms used in this process are spreading, tapering, bending, punching, upsetting, splitting and welding and have to be carried out with considerable skill and careful timing. The most important tools used are the traditional forge, hammer, anvil and tongs and the power hammer.
I make hard steel flow into fluid shapes. Organic shapes like leaf form, fruit and flowers together with traditional scroll and forge work are just part of the repertoire of my skills. I particularly love sculpture and creating sculptured pieces.
Blacksmithing has developed into a new age, interpreting traditional skills through contemporary forged metal work. I believe the craft is much freer nowadays and there is more scope for self-expression and it is this that will keep the craft alive.
For me it is not work, it is a passion, a magical process of transformation and a most enjoyable and desirable profession.
William O’Brien
William is a self established…
Email – Willob1@btinternet.com
Work Phone – 01686 640 739
Mobile – 07940 569 343
Address – The Wharf, Berriew, Welshpool, Powys, SY21 8AN
Social Media Links:
News:
The Website
This Website is currently under construction. For any query's please contact William at Willob1@btinternet.com