St. Matthias Votive Candle Stand

In 2005, Minocqua's St. Matthias Episcopal Church constructed a new, larger worship space adjacent to the original edifice.  In 2012, the parish paid off the mortgage.  Island City Forge was commissioned to design several liturgical items for the new space.  The votive candle stand is the first piece to be completed.

 

 

 

 St. Matthias Pastor, Edgar Wallace and office manager Michael are happy to see the new votive candle stand installed in a cove in the church. 

 

 

The candle stand compliments the new worship space which was designed in the Arts and Crafts style, similar to the original edifice.  The candle stand incorporates large rivets and forge-textured bronze in the sides of the top tray and in the cross.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The crucifix at the center of the stand is made of layers of forged steel and bronze, held together with rivets

 

 

Back in the shop during construction, the partially completed candle stand is assembled on the main bench.  Here, I am working with a wood mock-up of the crucifix to properly size the elements.

2013 WI State High School X-C Team Persuit Trophies

The Wisconsin High School Cross Country Ski Championship races were held in Rhinelander this year.  Island City Forge was commissioned to design and create the trophies.  Knowing that some of the teams which have won in the past already have awards created by ICF, this years models are similar, but not identical to ones I made in 2007 and 2008.

The top three teams in both the boys and girls categories received trophies.  Here, the trophy models pose for one last group photo in the shop.

After assembly, each metal figurine was heated in the forge to approximately 1000 F.  Allowing them to cool from an orange heat to room temperature imparts a uniformly dark finish.  Think of the forge as a tanning booth for the trophy models.

Here are the forged parts before cutting, drilling, assembly and mounting on to the birch wood blocks.