Hayley Powell’s first piece of blacksmith art was creating the cuckoo for the field in Monsdale Lane, now better known as the Cuckoo Field. This piece of art was made when she was only 16, studying for her A Levels at QEGS. Hayley grew up in Parwich, she always loved walking around the countryside and could be seen regularly walking the family dog Axel: the Irish Wolfhound.
Not always happy with the conventional methods of learning, Hayley hunted out extra curriculum workshops and events including helping out at art workshops and then becoming heavily involved within an organisation that delivered courses on rural crafts to young people. These included dry stone walling, woodland management at Chatsworth, hedge laying and blacksmithing. Hayley was hooked.
Between studing for a Degree in Design Technology at Derby University she was able to gain work experience with blacksmith Charis Jones, who is still a massive inspiration to her. Once her degree was completed back in June, she decided to follow her heart and really make a difference to preserving the rural skill of blacksmithing.
Hayley, an Artist Blacksmith has called her new business Forever Forged . She is committed to creating hand forged creative, yet functional items, for your home and garden. Inspired by tradition, forged with passion.
Hayley can be seen at the Wirksworth Art Trail this weekend, 10am-5pm. Her venue will showcase a wide range of fun and artistic pieces, filling the courtyard and garden of the Old Tinsmith.
Tickets for the Trail are £5 and free to under 16’s. A fabulous opportunity to see more than 100 artists, including Lewis Noble, exhibiting their work in dozens of different venues throughout the town. There will also be a Makers Market, stalls with food and street entertainment, including the fabulous A52s.
A selection of some of Hayley’s work, more can be seen on her website.
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