Why I’ve Decided to Take On Commissions Again (Carefully This Time)

Wrought Ironwork Daffodils

It’s been over a year since I wrote about stepping away from commission work. At the time it felt like the only sensible thing to do. Commissions had started to dictate my days in ways that didn’t sit well with me: shifting timelines, drifting expectations, and that quiet background pressure of trying to realise someone else’s ideas instead of my own. I needed the space to create freely, and I stand by that decision.

But over the last year something has shifted. Not dramatically, and not suddenly, but enough that I’ve found myself reconsidering the hard line I drew back then.

What’s changed?

It isn’t the craft, and it certainly isn’t the forge. What’s changed is my own capacity. I’ve had a strong year refining my product range, improving my working processes, and settling into a rhythm that feels more stable. I know how long things take. I know which types of work genuinely excite me. And I finally feel like I have enough structure in place that the idea of taking on the occasional commission doesn’t feel overwhelming anymore.

The projects that pull you back in

Every so often someone gets in touch with a commission idea that doesn’t feel like a burden. It feels like a spark. Not “can you copy this thing I found online”, but thoughtful, interesting requests from people who appreciate the material and the process.

A few of those messages landed in my inbox this year, and instead of feeling drained, I felt curious. That was the moment I realised I might be ready to take some projects on again.

Not everything, and not always

To be clear, I’m not reopening the door to all commissions. I’m choosing to take on a limited number of projects that align with my style and skills, and that feel like they have room for my creative input rather than simply my labour. If something isn’t right for my workshop, isn’t realistically achievable in the timeframe, or doesn’t sit well with the direction of my work, I will say no. Having boundaries is part of the job.

Commissioned Dining Table

The work I want to focus on

I’m especially interested in pieces where form and function meet: architectural details, sculptural elements, and those small but meaningful pieces that bring a bit of character into a home. Work where the forging process can be seen and felt, rather than hidden.

If you’re curious about what types of projects I’m taking on, you can find more detail on my Commissions page.

Moving forward

Stepping away from commissions helped me get my workshop and my workflow back under control. Now, taking on a handful of carefully chosen projects feels like the next stage, not a reversal. It’s a way to collaborate again, but on terms that are sustainable.

If you’re considering a commission or think you have an idea that might suit my approach, I’ve put together a new Commissions page that explains the process, what I do and don’t take on, and how to get started. I’m always happy to have a conversation and see where it leads.