The Skills

Many of the skills, tools and facilities associated with a coppersmith’s workshop have been lost over the years. Michael has dedicated much of his time over the past twenty years finding craftsmen who can pass the skills on to him, acquiring and/or making the requisite tools, and creating an environment within the workshop where a new generation of craftsmen can hone their talents in the craft of the coppersmith.

All the basic handcrafted techniques are used. Stretching, shrinking, raising, repousse, chiselling and chasing etc. The workshop draws on traditional coppersmithing skills as those of the blacksmith and silversmith. New skills, tools and processes are continually developed as the commitment to re establishing the tradition is matched with a passion for pushing what can be achieved with copper and bronze even further.