about Jake James,
the artist blacksmith

Jake James is a formally trained blacksmith from England, with over 10 years experience as a hot metalworking specialist.

Jake James Artist Blacksmith Inc. brings the highest quality forgework to western Canada, combining a strong sense of design with award winning craftsmanship.

All the work undertaken by Jake James Artist Blacksmith Inc. is custom designed in house and utilizes Jake’s extensive understanding of his material to bring out the best in every project.

2005 - Present
Metchosin, BC, Canada

• I have been running my highly productive forge on Vancouver Island. The business produces mainly architectural forgework, but we also undertake public art projects and other private commissions.
   
• Demonstrator for:
• Vancouver Island Blacksmiths Association
• California Blacksmiths Association
• Western Canadian Blacksmiths Guild
• CanIRON VI (National biennial blacksmithing conference)
• North West Blacksmiths Association
   
• Winner 1st Prize (Joint) for Contemporary Ironwork at CanIRON VI.
   
• Winning team in the North West Blacksmiths Association “Blacksmith Wars”.
   
• My work has been featured in numerous magazine publications and newspaper editorials.
   
• Shows featured at THE RAVE‘N’IRON Gallery and Mercurio Gallery in Victoria, BC.
   
• Work featured extensively in multiple BC Care and Georgie Building Award winning project ‘The Stone House’ by B Cubed Construction Ltd.

2002 - 2004
Journeyman's Travels

• Travelling as a journeyman blacksmith is a rich tradition in the craft. Having developed my skills under the tutelage of a master blacksmith, I left England further to explore and develop my own understanding of the craft and its place in the world.
   
  My travels took me first to Sri Lanka, where I worked with a village smith in the. We forged ox plough shares, axes and sickles for the rice harvest. It was a lesson in ingenuity and resourcefulness: Everything was recycled and done with the bare minimum of equipment.
   
  In India I spent a month working silver, both jewellery and inlaying. I then came to North America.
   
  I toured the west coast of Canada and the US, visiting a number of highly regarded blacksmiths and demonstrating at the California Blacksmiths Association’s Octoberfest, before deciding to move to, and start my business on Vancouver Island.

1999 - 2002
The Forge, Braishfield, England

• Sole employee of Richard Bent, Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, Holder of the Worshipful Company Silver Medal, and three time National Champion Blacksmith.
   
  Richard is a highly respected designer and maker. My time with him (the length of a formal apprenticeship) provided me with a solid grounding in all the making processes, and also opened my eyes to the creative freedom granted by the ability to work hot steel.
   
• In county competitions I continued to have success, being awarded prizes at every show I entered.
   
• Awarded Journeyman’s Certificate by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.

1998 - 1999
Hereford College of Technology, England

• Btec National Certificate in Blacksmithing and Metalwork, passed with distinction.
   
• City and Guilds welding certificates in SMAW, GMAW and Gas welding.
   
• Placed work in county shows.
  Won awards, including first and second place, and best exhibitor under 25.
   
• Awarded Certificate of Competence by the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.
   
• Awarded top student prize for the year.