Building a Custom Pergola-Part I of III: the design process

What goes into creating a one of a kind custom design?

As a group of skilled artisans, we love using our artistic skills to create unique metalwork. When we received a request to build a custom decorative pergola, our designer Rachel, went right to work developing a design that would fit the client's tastes while at the same time addressing the many technical issues involved. This is a multi-step process which involves meeting with prospective clients, surveying the work site, conceptualizing and creating design sketches for approval, and finally, the creation of accurate shop drawings used for fabrication.

Restoring Stair Components Within the Historic Fire Island Lighthouse

All images © Frank Longo 2018

Our company was approached by The National Parks Service with the request to repair and restore some stair components located inside of Fire Island's 160 year old historic fire house.

Reinterpreting a Classic

Here is an image of some hand hammered copper switch-plates made by one of our craftspeople for his home. These pieces were inspired by some hand forged iron switch plates made by the renowned craftsman: Samuel Yellin. They have a natural fire-scale patina.

Restoring a Historical Cemetery Gate

We are currently finishing up on restoring the entry gate for the historical; Woodland Cemetery located in Bellport, N.Y. Completed in 1869, the cemetery has a memorial statue commemorating some of the local residents who fought and died during the Civil War. In addition to fully restoring the original ironwork, we designed and built a beautiful over-gate which prominently displays the cemetery's name. Below are some images of the process. Please keep a lookout for a full case study on this project coming soon to our website.

Creating a custom texture on 2" X 6" Aluminum bar →

Here is a short video of 2 our craftspeople creating a custom texture on 2"X 6" Aluminum bar. We did this by using a custom die made in house.

Vanity Fair; how to make a Koons

Koons outsourced a metallurgist, Andrew Lins, of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, to analyze the bell's many metal parts. The yoke has an internal metal structure that could only be discerned only through historical drawings. Tim Miller, a wrought-iron blacksmith, was hired to fabricate those parts, plus the metal armature on the inside of the bell and the clapper, some 100 pieces. These are about half of the sculpture's 257 attendant parts, from the bronze bell to small plugs in the yoke.

Siblings create artistic and functional metalwork

Brother and sister Timothy and Rachel Miller bring different strengths to Spirit Ironworks, the company owns together.

Long Island artisans redefining bespoke buying

Spirit Ironworks was recently featured in a Long Island Pulse Magazine article titled; Long Island Artisans Redefining Bespoke Buying, by Max Fischer.

‘Speechless’ in Patchogue as 23-foot-high Roe Walkway archway goes up

The blacksmiths at Spirit Ironworks in Bayport have been busy at the forge and their latest piece is now on display at Patchogue's busiest walkway.

Blacksmiths, coopers and other old-school trades masters thrive on L.I

Spirit Ironworks, Inc. was featured in a New York Newsday article titled: Blacksmiths, coopers and other old-school trades masters thrive on L.I. by Steven Levine.