Claudia Petley

Claudia works with her husband Paul Shepherd in Herefordshire, close to the Welsh Border.  Paul is also a blacksmith and together they produce work ranging from tiny candle snuffers to ceremonial gates.

Claudia works on her designs to the smallest detail until the whole piece is balanced. She particularly considers nature and classical proportions and tries to reflect this harmony in her work.

"Almost everything I do is put through the fire and forged in some way". Claudia will forge steel to a fine point, then scroll, curl or knot it to "reveal just how pliable the material is by what can be done with it". She also plaits and rivets metal, preferring traditional forging techniques combining decoration with function.

Claudia specialises in Repoussé work, demonstrated in the Lion and Unicorn centrepiece she made for the gates of Kensington Palace. Her work ranges from small interior items to large architectural commissions.

Claudia's work shows elegance and precision. Her instinct and feel for her material turns a coarse, lifeless piece of steel into something animate and tactile.