It is always exciting to find someone new to collaborate with - I am constantly inspired when I get to combine my ideas with a fellow creator's skills and vision to bring a new design concept to life.

This time I get to introduce you to Zach Seligman whose path I crossed fortuitously not so long ago on my travels.

Zach and his family own a working farm in Montana in a stunning setting where they grow a wide array of flowers and where in his spare time Zach puts his blacksmith skills to good use!

This new collection of 'Barbed Wire' buckles combines traditional craftsmanship with contemporary shaping and a little bit of recycling too in the form of discarded barbed wire previously used on the neighbouring ranch.

How are these made?

The bulk of the collection is forged from Mild Steel which Zach initially machine cuts, and to which he then heat forges pieces of barbed wire. Once super heated the barbed wire is hammered flat whilst the steel is also worked by hammer and hand to our desired shape before additional surface texturing is added, by hammer, chisel or claw hammer. This collection contains 3 different surface textures for you to choose from.

The final step is the desired finish - the still warm buckles are dipped into a hot solution containing sodium hydroxide and silver nitrate which kicks off the oxidization process and a final heat treatment allows us to create the desired tonal look. Some styles have an additional darkening agent applies to achieve more of a gunmetal finish.

Wrought Iron 'Wagon Wheel' Buckles...a piece of history for your waist

The 'piece de resistance' of this collection are the Wrought Iron versions of these buckles. These very special Buckles take us back to the late 19th Century. They are handcrafted in the same way as the mild steel buckle but this time from wrought iron salvaged from old wagon tires long ago discarded on Zach’s farm. This iron has lovely history as it is pulled from authentic late 19th Century Winona Wagon Co. wagons. The surface texture and edges are wonderfully distinctive and totally natural - this is the original aged Iron as it comes. One of these buckles is double the weight of the steel version, they really are something special that combine history with authentic design.

I hope you get as excited about this collection as we have - these buckles express so much character and can be dressed up or down dependent on the belt you pair them with.