About the event
The afternoon will begin at Gregory and Tesseras Blacksmiths with a small forging demonstration showing some of the techniques and reasons for using forged steel. Through discussion with the Sheffield Design Awards team, the blacksmiths are keen to explore production of a prototype plaque for the awards.
Attendees will be split with half heading to Michael May Knives - a traditional cutler - to have a tour of their workshop and a demonstration of the processes hand-crafting a knife with an opportunity to get hands-on with the techniques.
The other half will undertake some striking at the blacksmith's. Attendees will be involved in realising the Sheffield Design Awards design, using a number of forging techniques to make it really interesting to both make and to look at.
The groups will then swap over, and when complete will finalise and assemble the plaque together.
Once all the heavy work has been completed, head over to Locksley Distillery for a tour, followed by a gin and tonic and some pizza in their tasting room.
About Portland Works
The Grade II* listed building has been reborn as a centre for independent small manufacturing artists and craftspeople, with more than 30 small businesses located within the 2600 square metre floor space. These include blacksmiths, knife makers, an engraver, and several engineers; cabinetmakers and joiners; jewellers and silver platers; artists; rug and guitar makers; CNC manufacturing; photographers; and a proudly Yorkshire based gin distillery.
