SGT Store Collectibles and Travel

Hand Wrought

Wrought Iron Creates Old World Decorating Charm

Wrought iron-what is it and why use it to decorate your kitchen? You may usually think of wrought iron when you picture a tall, ominous gate in front of a castle. Or, you remember that romantic bench in the park. You may have seen heavy, black metal pot racks in an authentic Italian restaurant. Whether commercial or household, wrought iron has a long history and many uses today.

Wrought iron is a tough, malleable, ductile and easily welded iron alloy. The term was used throughout western history, most specifically for finished iron goods, as produced by a blacksmith. This type of iron use dates back to Roman times and was very popular in Europe during the reign of William and Mary. It could stand up to use in battle as well as everyday use in shops and homes. It was preferred over cast iron as cast iron was very brittle.

In the 1800s, wrought iron was the most common form of malleable, or bendable, iron. It was typically used to make swords, cutlery, and other blades. Other popular uses were: rivets, nails, wire, chains, nuts, bolts, horseshoes, handrails, racks and ornamental ironwork. This strong metal was very popular in the 1860s for making iron clad warships and railways. The Eiffel tower is actually made from a form of wrought iron called puddle-iron!

Cast iron, carbon, or mild steel, and cheaper steel became more available in the 1900's and caused a gradual decline in wrought iron manufacture. The last production works in Great Britain closed in 1974. True production of this desirable metal was, unfortunately,   labor intensive and expensive. Some of the production machinery originally used in Great Britain is now preserved in the Ironbridge Gorge Museum, in Shropshire, England. It is still used commercially for beautiful restoration projects using recycled iron scrap.

Today, when you see garden furniture advertised as wrought iron, it may actually be made of mild steel. The description is still used because the pieces are wrought (or worked) by hand. This metal is used, today, to make home décor items such as Baker's racks, wine racks, pot racks, étagères , table bases, desks, gates, beds, plant racks, candle holders, curtain rods, bar and bar stools. The beauty, strength and elegance of wrought iron makes it very suited to making unique, handsome products and furnishings.

Using wrought iron hand-craftsmanship in your kitchen will add beautiful, Old World, charm to your home. It will also add to the rustic appeal of your cabin or lodge. Hanging, or wall mounted, pot racks can sturdily display cookware and accessories while adding extra storage. Such kitchen accessories can be simple or elaborate, adorned with French curls and scrolls, or classic and elegant. Black is most common, however, the metal can easily be painted any color to compliment your home decor. 

Wrought iron is an old fashioned metal that is still an excellent choice for home decorating due to its malleable capabilities, strength, and variety of uses, both indoors and out. Including items such as pot racks, trivets, wine racks, and shelves will give your kitchen a rustic, Tuscan, and classy ambiance. Wrought iron is an Old World metal that you will enjoy in your home today!

About the Author

Yvonne Crooker is the author and can provide more information about wrought iron kitchen accessories at Pot Rack Place. Yvonne is a retired school administrator who has time now to devote to her creative talents, including decorating, quilting, and photography.

Discover the Old World charm and rustic good looks of wrought iron pot racks at http://www.potrackplace.com.

Do you hold your life in your own hands? (revised)?

Can you control your heart beat? Can you make it stop and start again at will? Can you turn one hair on your head black or white at command? Can you prevent yourself from getting sick or dying? Are you in your own hands , today? Man, since the begining of existance has been trying to control their own lives and has failed greatly.We have the knowledge to make the journey to grave more comfortable but we still cannot stop the journey. So ask yourself(businessmen, doctors, lawyer, politicians, and everyone) : Who's really in charge here? Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind? Job12: 9-10

God has a plan - I'm just part of it.

Hand Wrought
www.aceiron.com - Hand-Forging a Large Wrought Iron Chandelier

Square Wrought Iron Wall Mirror $75 A hand welded wrought iron frame surrounds a square glass wall mirror.

Round Wrought Iron Wall Mirror $100 -A hand welded wrought iron frame surrounds a round glass wall mirror.

Large Oval Wrought Iron Mirror $203 This oval wall mirror has a hand welded wrought iron metal frame.

Men Hand-Forge Wrought Iron into Massive Chain Links $39.99 Robert Sisson Men Hand-Forge Wrought Iron into Massive Chain Links - Photographic Print

Wrought Iron Fruit Basket $204 Hand forged wrought iron with hand painted details. Inspired by travels to Italy, Bella Toscana captures the art of entertaining with wrought iron and natural marble home accents. The natural edge on the stone and the use of glass and tile accents give Bella Toscana�s pieces an added unique touch. Each piece is hand forged and one of a kind. Color and dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly due to the handmade nature of the product. -Hand wash natural stone with warm water and mild detergent.

Wrought Iron Vine Vase $96 Hand forged and hand painted wrought iron with glass vase. Inspired by travels to Italy, Bella Toscana captures the art of entertaining with wrought iron and natural marble home accents. The natural edge on the stone and the use of glass and tile accents give Bella Toscana�s pieces an added unique touch. Each piece is hand forged and one of a kind. Color and dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly due to the handmade nature of the product. -Hand wash natural stone with warm water and mild detergent.

Wrought Iron Twig Vase $164 Hand forged and hand painted wrought iron with Glass vase. Inspired by travels to Italy, Bella Toscana captures the art of entertaining with wrought iron and natural marble home accents. The natural edge on the stone and the use of glass and tile accents give Bella Toscana�s pieces an added unique touch. Each piece is hand forged and one of a kind. Color and dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly due to the handmade nature of the product. -Hand wash natural stone with warm water and mild detergent.

Wrought Iron Cookbook Holder $192 Hand forged wrought iron with hand painted details. Inspired by travels to Italy, Bella Toscana captures the art of entertaining with wrought iron and natural marble home accents. The natural edge on the stone and the use of glass and tile accents give Bella Toscana�s pieces an added unique touch. Each piece is hand forged and one of a kind. Color and dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly due to the handmade nature of the product.

Wrought Iron Utensil Caddy $136 Hand forged wrought iron with hand painted details. Inspired by travels to Italy, Bella Toscana captures the art of entertaining with wrought iron and natural marble home accents. The natural edge on the stone and the use of glass and tile accents give Bella Toscana�s pieces an added unique touch. Each piece is hand forged and one of a kind. Color and dimensions are approximate and may vary slightly due to the handmade nature of the product.

Wrought iron and maguey basket, 'Weavers' $69.95 Designed by Alida Cruz, this handsome tray is crafted by hand in Guatemala. Maguey fibers are carefully entwined over a frame of wrought iron.

Square Wrought Iron Mirror $57.99 The Square Wrought Iron Mirror has a versatile style - the perfect wall mirror for any decor from old world to Mediterranean and beyond!  This antique style mirror features a hand welded wrought iron frame with beautiful scroll work. Hand Welded Old World Charm Exquisite Scroll Work This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 2-8 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. APO/FPO shipping unavailable

Round Wrought Iron Mirror $65.99 The Round Wrought Iron Mirror features a versatile style - a wall mirror that matches any decor from old world to Mediterranean and beyond!  This antique style mirror features a hand welded wrought iron frame with beautiful scroll work. Hand Welded Old World Charm This item ships directly from the manufacturer. Product usually arrives in 2-8 business days, depending on destination, including order processing and shipping. APO/FPO shipping unavailable

Wrought Iron Bell Small $29.49 Wrought Iron Bell Accent Your Garden & Home Our Wrought Iron Bells are a great compliment to any garden, patio, or interior décor. They add rustic appeal and create pleasing sounds. Special Features Made of wrought iron Add a unique look to your home with this old world forged wrought iron bell Crisp sharp tones fill the air with a quick tug of the hanging ring Graphite powder coated for maximum protection from the elements Large: 11.75" H x 8" W x 8" D Medium: 8.75" H x 6" W x 6" D Small: 6.5" H x 4" W x 4" D Low Price Guarantee Achla Designs, a Garden Accessories company, emphasizes unique, hand forged, wrought iron, European furnishings for the home and garden. Items range from small hooks and brackets to large pavilions and arbors. They also offer birdbaths, birding & garden pole systems, trellises, statuary, composting products, and wood and metal furniture. In 2004, Achla Designs introduced the Williamsburg Collection, offering reproductions as well as 17th and 18th century inspired designs for the contemporary home. Achla Designs continues to add beautiful and unique items year after year, resulting in an unusually large product line.

Wrought Iron Bell Large $53.95 Wrought Iron Bell Accent Your Garden & Home Our Wrought Iron Bells are a great compliment to any garden, patio, or interior décor. They add rustic appeal and create pleasing sounds. Special Features Made of wrought iron Add a unique look to your home with this old world forged wrought iron bell Crisp sharp tones fill the air with a quick tug of the hanging ring Graphite powder coated for maximum protection from the elements Large: 11.75" H x 8" W x 8" D Medium: 8.75" H x 6" W x 6" D Small: 6.5" H x 4" W x 4" D Low Price Guarantee Achla Designs, a Garden Accessories company, emphasizes unique, hand forged, wrought iron, European furnishings for the home and garden. Items range from small hooks and brackets to large pavilions and arbors. They also offer birdbaths, birding & garden pole systems, trellises, statuary, composting products, and wood and metal furniture. In 2004, Achla Designs introduced the Williamsburg Collection, offering reproductions as well as 17th and 18th century inspired designs for the contemporary home. Achla Designs continues to add beautiful and unique items year after year, resulting in an unusually large product line.

Wrought Iron Bell Medium $36.95 Wrought Iron Bell Accent Your Garden & Home Our Wrought Iron Bells are a great compliment to any garden, patio, or interior décor. They add rustic appeal and create pleasing sounds. Special Features Made of wrought iron Add a unique look to your home with this old world forged wrought iron bell Crisp sharp tones fill the air with a quick tug of the hanging ring Graphite powder coated for maximum protection from the elements Large: 11.75" H x 8" W x 8" D Medium: 8.75" H x 6" W x 6" D Small: 6.5" H x 4" W x 4" D Low Price Guarantee Achla Designs, a Garden Accessories company, emphasizes unique, hand forged, wrought iron, European furnishings for the home and garden. Items range from small hooks and brackets to large pavilions and arbors. They also offer birdbaths, birding & garden pole systems, trellises, statuary, composting products, and wood and metal furniture. In 2004, Achla Designs introduced the Williamsburg Collection, offering reproductions as well as 17th and 18th century inspired designs for the contemporary home. Achla Designs continues to add beautiful and unique items year after year, resulting in an unusually large product line.

Custom Wrought Iron Fire Screens - How to Turn Your Fireplace Into a Showpiece

Turn your fireplace into a showpiece with a custom wrought iron fireplace screen. You can dress up a plain fireplace or set off one that is a focal point in a room with a Hand Forged fire screen whose finish and size complement the rest of the room. Authentic, custom wrought iron fire screens are crafted with different finishes, from deep black to teal, gold and rust colors. Handmade fire screens are produced in different sizes to accommodate the varying scales of fireplaces in homes. The styles of custom fire screens span the gamut between ornate filigree and Gothic to classic Franciscan to match contemporary Spanish as well as Craftsman interiors.

Choose a Fire Screen Finish to Match the Room

A custom wrought iron fireplace screen is one of the easiest and most economical ways to upgrade the look of a room, whether it's your living room, dining room, great room, den or your bedroom. It accents that one place where people love to gather. A fireplace draws people to it, but a beautiful hand wrought fire screen creates a mood with its reflections of dancing flames along its curves. Pick a finish color to go with your interior design, from deep teal to antique sand or nutmeg. Fireplace screens don't only come in black anymore, but you can still pick a rich black wrought iron finish to fit your room design.

Choose a Fire Screen Style that Enhances Your Interior Design

One of the best aspects of a handmade, custom fireplace screen is that it stands separate and apart from everything else in the room. It can either blend in with your existing interior design or make a tasteful, defining statement on its own. It makes a gracious announcement to all who enter the room, inviting them to come 'round, warm their hands and talk awhile. When a part of your home is this inviting, you definitely want to make it special because it's an extension of your personal invitation to family and friends.

An authentic wrought iron fire screen reflects your taste, your hospitality and personality, so it's a good thing that custom fireplace screens can be made in a style to match your own. The feel of it, the way it arcs and bounces the firelight across the room, the deep, rich colors seduce people to come closer and linger. And the best part is the delightful, warm feeling of gladness among your guests is provided by one little iron fireplace screen tossing the glow from your fire into their laps.

To find exquisite handmade wrought iron fire screens click on: http://www.stevenhandelmanstudios.com.

About the Author

John Adams is a veteran in the field of web based business and real estate. He has imparted quality information and tips to numerous business start up companies.

Hand Wrought