susan nichols wire sculptures
I have been making wire sculptures for over 15 years and recently started
working with recycled copper. After leaving school I trained as a marine
engineer, so feel confident and at ease working with metals and metalwork tools.
I’ve revisited old skills and have been making wire sculptures of birds, animals
and people, and selling them for about 15 years. For the past 10 years I have
also been teaching small classes of people how to make their own pieces. A few
years ago I was given an old copper water cylinder when my son renovated his
house and I cut it up to make a large copper flower for my garden. Since then I
have been experimenting, designing and making other items and have also been
improving my brazing and coppersmithing skills. I particularly like re-using old
copper. I am a keen gardener, and often start by having ideas for my own garden,
and if they work, I make more to sell. Both galvanised wire and copper are very
durable and weatherproof which means they are ideal for garden use, and both
weather well over time. I’m very lucky to have a workshop where I can happily
while away hours trying out ideas and new projects. Like this:
