Welcome to Stacey Hibberd who is spending two weeks with us here in the workshops at Ironart. Stacey’s ambition is to become a metal conservator, specialising in ironwork restoration. She already has a diploma in blacksmithing and metalwork under her belt, having studied at Warwickshire College under Michelle Parker. Stacey is currently in her second year of a foundation degree in Jewellery and Silversmithing at Truro and Penwith College (Plymouth University) and has been accepted to study the Graduate Diploma in Metal Conservation at West Dean College.

It’s only day two at Ironart for Stacey, who is currently making six hanging basket brackets – reproductions of an original we were asked to match. They are forged from 14mm round bar with a drawn out and twisted end, reminiscent of an auger bit. She is working under the supervision of Workshop Manager Jason Balchin who said that she’s approaching the job with “enthusiasm and attention to detail!”