Boquio Iron & Glass News

A busy year!
2009 has proved a very busy one for us with both 'Iron & 'Glass' receiving orders and commissions. Pictured is a private commission for a wall picture depicting icons of Perranporth. We have also made windows with fused glass panels, copperfoil panels, some incorporated into double glazed units, and traditional leaded stained glass. Our galleries have done very well for us this year especially Toe in the Water in Fowey, National Trust Gallery Saltram House and Cornwall Crafts Association, Trelissick Gardens. We also await announcement of new gallery opportunities - watch this space!

Iron Age:Ice Age
Building upon the success of previous combined iron and glass forms, albeit a much simpler design, we were commissioned to produce this stunning centrepiece for a private house near Henley on Thames.

John forged the 12mm thick iron form by hand to a wave profile, hot punched it to take ball feet and spacers and gave it to Tricia for her part of the project. A dam of heat resistant board was placed around the iron form and the crushed glass carefully placed to a uniform depth following the curve of the iron. The entire module was then put into the kiln, the temperature raised and it stayed in the kiln for the next five days. When cool enough to be removed, the fused glass was taken off its base, the edges ground and polished, the iron base cleaned of all ironscale and ball feet and spacers added.

After a safe journey to Henley on Thames this splendid piece is now in a window that overlooks the Thames.

National Trust Lanhydrock Gates North Elevation
After the Christmas rush and festivities are over these grade II listed wrought iron gates will be removed and brought back to Lower Boquio Farm for total refurbishment. Typically much damage and deterioration is not apparent until the gates have been chemically stripped of the dozens of layers of paint that have been applied to these gates over the years. Close inspection and decision making as to the extent of the renovations is the next stage. As with all antique items as much of the original fabric must be retained as possible. Then the task of cutting out defective bars, decoration etc will begin and replacement of the same a hard task considering the gates are, obviously, already assembled. Five coats of very special organic paint are applied, the gates returned, refitted and looking as good as the day they were first installed. Another challenging job for Boquio Iron & Glass.