Today, I drove 30 miles to Burton on Trent to pick up my pillar drill! It is now fully installed in my workshop with my new Plasma cutter. Happy Birthday to me!! I also found a box full of old drill bits under the work bench!

Early morning Ebay bidding!

This morning, I bought myself an early birthday present, a pillar drill! It was a bargin and something I just could not ignore! The owner had only used it twice so it was  in pretty good condition! SCORE! So sometime next week I am going to pick it up from Burton on Trent, a 30 minute drive from my current location.

The National Memorial Arboretum is on my route to Burton, So I feel that this beautiful place is worth a visit as it has been on my to do list for a long time! I think it would also look beautiful in the snow if it hasn't all melted away! 

SIP Pillar drill                                                                    Model No. B16-16                                                                    16 speeds                                                                    16mm drill capacity                                                                    Spindle taper MT2                                                                    3/4 HP motor                                                                     230v 50Hz                                                                    That'll do nicely!

I am sorry I have neglected this for a while! I have injured my neck and back and is currently making it impossible for me to forge. I have successfully set up my forge and gave it a bash a few days ago! I can say I have missed the smell and taste of sulphur! I have also found a great supplier of coke in Wolverhampton! £12 for a 25KG bag.... actual bargin! 

Whilst been off I have contacted Galleries in the West Midlands. If you want to supply my forged work in the near future please do not hesitate in contacting me!  I can offer a portfolio. I also need to get into gear and sort out an online portfolio on my website www.fionahendersonartistblacksmith.co.uk. Looking forward to start making again! My ideas just keep on flowing and I can wait to mess around with glass and holes! 

To do list:

Sort out website.

Sort out blog.

Get more friendly with coke suppliers! 

Put business cards EVERYWHERE

Get better.

Practice technical.

MAKE MAKE MAKE. 

Find someone who had a big glass kilm.

I hate not being a student! The simplest tasks then are the hardest ones now! 

Wish I didn't take it all for granted. 

Christening of my forge!

So next week, I have my lovely friend Katie paying me a visit and we are going to fire up my forge that I currently have in a garage back home. (It's only a temporary set up). It is depressing that I haven't picked up a hammer since I graduated in July last year, but this is all about to change!! Happy girlies.

The start of something new.

This is my forge that I am currently setting up. I have my anvil, leg vice, swage block and beast of a flypress in the farms workshop. There is a canoe in the roof rafters!! If it floods I am prepared. 

Nautical Influenced lights 'Stanchion'

So this morning, I found out that my lights will permanently be a display at Titanic Belfast. Happy Christmas to me. They will be viewed by the public in the New Year.  

Current workshop space.

So... I have recently taken over the farms workshop! I am currently welding up a forge that was in need of repair and I have been able to get the old fan up and running! Success! As I cannot afford a shed to rent just yet.. I will be setting up outside in the farm yard. Probably the wrong time of year to do this but I guess its better than no forge!