About

I am Clare, the woman behind Smeltdown Blacksmiths.

My artistic work takes inspiration from folklore and history, leaning into the alternative and macabre. I also have a passion for historical and archaeological ironwork. This involves developing an understanding of an object based on the historical context, tool marks and corrosion patterns to reverse-engineer how it was made then replicating the object using traditional methodology and techniques to glean insight into the past.

I completed my Blacksmithing BTEC Level 3 Diploma at The National School of Blacksmithing (NSB) with Distinction* honours.

Before starting my ventures as a blacksmith, I was a primary school teacher. Although this profession provided me with a steady income for the first time in my life, the strain on my mental and physical health meant it was not a sustainable environment for me to thrive. I left my career as a teacher to find a new one that didn’t fill me with dread each time the alarm went off in the morning!

Between the Level 2 and Level 3 academic years, I worked at Vaughan’s Hope Works in Stourbridge as a trainee Blacksmith. It was here that I got a taste for industrial production by making foundry equipment, tongs and tools.

Fast forward to the 2023 Forge-in, held by the British Artist Blacksmithing Association (BABA), at Butser Ancient farm. Butser is a beautiful archaeological open-air museum and experimental archaeology site and I would encourage anyone to visit. At least for the mead, if nothing else! I am now a council member for BABA, an association that aims to the group is to share the knowledge, experience and fellowship to maintain and forward the art. 

I have been privileged to work on the replication of the Ladby Anchor for the Viking Ship Museum in Roskilde, collaborated a project for the National Trust with Peter Parkinson and have work in the Salzburg Museum in Austria. I now work alongside the incomparable Rowan Taylor in his forge in Oswestry. It has been an incredible few years for both personal and professional growth, which I hope to continue throughout my career.

I love Blacksmithing as a craft and as a community. Please don’t hesitate to message me with commissions, questions and inquiries.

Clare

@Smeltdownblacksmiths