Yesterday I delivered my sculpture to the new extension of the Athelstan Museum - known as the Julia And Hans Rausing Building in Malmesbury, Wiltshire.   www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk This sculpture was commissioned by the Team organising the renovation of the former Moravian Church in Malmesbury   www.malmesburyappeal.co.uk I was contacted in the summer of 2017 about the potential for a sculpture to celebrate the change of use and recognise the historic use of this lovely old landmark building in Malmesbury in North Wiltshire - my home town. I was asked to identify a location for the sculpture and immediately wanted to use the space between the two beautiful arched stained glass windows to the roadside of the building - I also wanted people to look up at these windows as they passed the building so the height of the work was critical. My sculptural work is known for being flowing and curvy; sensuous lines in steel that take the viewers encounter with my sculptures on a journey

I have been working on a complex handrail panel with rivet details.  The sections are forged then joined to each other with a steel rivet giving a secure traditional decorative join using the round head rivets as a feature. I have been lucky enough to have some workshop time filmed by   SocialMeansUK Here's the short film of the tool I made and how I use it for tricky riveting jobs like this one! @socialmeansuk @melissacole001

It has been a busy year so far!  I have made a large scale, split strand DNA sculpture for Winchester University Cosmic Walk. DNA sculpture by Melissa Cole (photo credit; Mark Somerville) I have also finished the last window panel in a Sir John Soanes designed house which depicts the history of the house and local landscape. I am waiting to install another public art piece in Malmesbury - images to follow when the work is installed and have worked on a number of small commissions in-between. My courses are fully booked for this year and I am also fully booked for commissions until May/June 2019 My Etsy gift shop https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/MelissaColeGiftShop  is starting to gain interest - I am selling smaller gift items here such as linked hearts, hooks, feathers and huge nails! My prototype garden linked hearts were recently auctioned for the Jemima Layzell Trust www.jemimalayzell.com  and raised £300 and a one day course raised £250 for Wiltshire Air Ambula

Melissa Cole  FWCB . Artist Blacksmith. Melissa Cole, bronze medal holder and Fellow of The Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, is  exhibiting her hand forged sculptures throughout May in the Guy Goodfellow Collection showroom. Melissa’s work ranges from commissioned gates and railings to sculpture and fine art installations, combining contemporary design with forged and fabricated metal for external public spaces, private gardens and interiors. Melissa is internationally recognised for her craftsmanship and creates  “Metal work that flows and wraps around itself, taking your eyes on a journey producing pieces that are solid in make up but light and free in their aesthetic quality” - www.TheWithLoveProject.co.uk Melissa has been featured on C4’s Grand Designs, BBC’s Escape to the Country and Radio 4 Woman’s Hour. The Makers' Tales showcase runs from 1st May - 1st June 2018.

I was unable to attend this important conference supporting Heritage Crafts but images of me at work are often used in their promotional flyers and posters and i am a keen supporter of this charity. My family went along to hear all the news and here is a link to my fabulous textile designer sister Rebecca Cole-Coker's blog report about the conference:  http://pinkhousebyrebeccacole.com/2018/03/26/heritage-crafts-an-inspired-future/ www.hertitagecrafts.org .uk