My name is Michael Hart and I am an award-winning blacksmith newly established in Horsmonden, in Kent. I specialize in producing high quality hand-forged ironwork of bespoke design in traditional and contemporary mediums. I make large items – gates, railing and staircases to smaller items such as candle-holders garden ornaments and carry out domestic repairs.
I am often asked how I got into blacksmithing, it is regarded by many people as a dying craft so it is often a surprise to many to meet a smith in their mid twenties.
I was first introduced to blacksmithing by a family friend who performed live demonstrations at the Museum of Kent Life. I remember the first time I set foot in the forge and got to see how you can move and manipulate steel, I WAS HOOKED. At the time I was at university, which I enjoyed but I didn’t click with it the same way I did blacksmithing. The craft grew from a mild hobby to an obsession and at the end of my second year at university I left the course to turn it into a career. I worked voluntarily in a forge over my summer break and at the start of the academic year I attended a course at Plumpton Agricultural College outside Lewes.
Attending that course changed my life. The college is a very lively place to study and the courses have a large emphasis on practicality which enabled me to thrive. As much as I loved the course It wasn’t without it’s problems, mine being finding finances to keep me there. The first year I was able to make and sell items on ebay and at local markets but the second was a bit more tricky. The course was full-time not leaving much time for a part time job, if I got a job it wouldn’t cover the £100 I needed a week just to cover food and petrol to college. But I was determined to see the course through. Fortunately I had a few commissions to bring in some money but to save money on petrol I spent the first half of the academic year spending nights asleep in my car or on a friend’s floor. On one occasion I had few too many at the college bar and decided to kip in a bathtub in a communal bathroom. One of my friends got wind of this and decided to creep in and turn the taps on a trickle so I woke up drenched!!! Like I said it was a lively place with plenty of laughs.
Asides from sleeping in funny places to keep me in college I had to work. I was able to fit this in around my studies by working seven days a week and starting the week with two 14-hour days. Evening classes meant I could stay late in the forge so I was often in by 7:30am and out by 9:30-10 pm. I was putting in a lot but I was getting a lot out of it. It’s reckoned you need to spend 10,000 hours at a subject/craft to become proficient at it, so the more I was working and questioning everything, the more I learnt. On completing the course I received an Overall Distinction and won two awards from the college, one for Top Practical Student on my course and the other for being the Top Practical Student of the college that year. To my understanding I’m the first smith to be presented with it since the college was founded in 1919. I then proceeded to enter county shows with my ironwork across the south of the country and won several first prizes for the quality of my work and design.
Since leaving education I set about starting my own business, which I have recently moved to Horsmonden. I have recently finished a large pair of entrance gates for a client in Sevenoaks as well as a large entrance panel for the butterfly house in Golders Hill Park. I am currently working on a gate restoration for the City of London, which I hope to complete shortly. Asides from undertaking commissions I also contract myself out on a regular basis to other smiths, which is a great opportunity to learn as well as to bring in a regular flow of money. Consequently I am very busy, at my current situation I am working 6-7 days a week and have been since September. A lot of people think I’m a bit mad for it but I see it as investment for the future.
For anyone that is interested in my work they can view my gallery or get in touch on my website www.michaelhartblacksmith.co.uk.
Michael Hart,
Blacksmith
The Forge
Broadford Oast
Goudhurst Rd
Horsmonden
Kent
TN128ET
Opposite the brick kiln lane junction
07903062282
www.michaelhartblacksmith.co.uk.
Email Michael on michael@michaelhartblacksmith.co.uk
and subscribe to his regular newsletter.