A Lovely Chandelier for the Home of a Famous Mexican Singer

This beautiful chandelier was designed and crafted by Carlos Galvan, Mexico’s premier wrought iron artisan, for the home of one of Mexico’s most popular singers.

I wrote a little about Carlos Galvan in a previous Post (you can read it here Mexico’s Premier Wrought Iron Design Artist – Carlos Galvan) but when Arjan Los, of Los-Factory , sent me this picture of one of Carlos’ latest projects, I decided to write more about Carlos.

Who is Carlos Galvan?

Carlos Galvan Esquivias was born in Yahualica de Gonzalez Gallo on the 17th of June, 1972. From an early age, he showed a talent for writing poetry about nature. Nature enchanted him.

When he was young, he was fortunate to have the privilege of living in the mountains and observing the beautiful scenery around him.

When Carlos was a teenager, he moved to the city of Ameca and there he supported and participated in promoting cultural events for children and young people.

Carlos studied for his Bachelor’s of Industrial Design at the University of Guadalajara, and leaned towards painting and sculpture. He was Senior Fellow at the Institute of Industrial Design in Havana, Cuba, where he studied specialty production machinery and ceramics.

Later, he had his own workshop making handmade wrought iron furnishings, sculptures, garden designs – for hotels and private homes. He planned his designs in accordance with the environment and space allowance for each project.

Carlos Galvan used the techniques of the Middle Ages in his work. Like the premier wrought iron artisan and designer in the late 15th Century, Nicolo Grosso Caparra, Carlos heats his iron in a forge to make it plastic and then shapes it with a mallet and other instruments, all by hand, to get the design he desires.

He sometimes complements his designs with clay, glass, marble and other materials to create a well-balanced and unique piece of art.

The Rich Artistic Traditions of Mexico

Mexico has long been characterized as a country rich in artistic tradition – in shape, color, and materials used. Each category of art has provided a variety of styles, as different and diverse as the artists and materials involved.

Tlaquepaque, in the State of Jalisco, the area where Carlos works his magic, is the number one State for the variety of the arts created there. It’s production was, nevertheless, threatened and immediate measures needed to be implemented to conserve, preserve, rescue and foster the crafts of the region.

Circumstances demanded more jobs but, more importantly, better quality production to compete not only domestically, but also abroad, while keeping the honesty of the Mexican heritage inherent in the different media. Someone to lead this teaching was needed. That someone was Carlos Galvan.

Carlos had his own ideas about the traditional designs, respecting and building on his experience, but staying open to the idea of improving. His work involved a number of factors, such as the handling of various materials, the application of the ideas of the respective techniques, and the way he handled the designs for a romantic, nostalgic past with a new, clearer vision full of innovative ideas and hope.

He, and other craftsmen, have worked together to make the existence of these high-quality art designs possible.

Updated Wrought Iron Designs of Carlos Galvan is a post from: Wrought Iron Designs

This time of the year, it’s always nice to keep assorted candles handy in case the electricity goes out, or just to set a certain mood. Votive lights, long elegant tapers, and even coiled beeswax candles are always welcome. A collection of wrought iron candle holders can be very beautiful for your candles, and add a nice decorative touch to your home when they are not being put to use.    

I started collecting wrought iron candle holders a long time ago, because I have a passion for anything made from wrought iron, and I like burning candles. Two of my favorite wrought iron candle holders are the Courting Candle and the Outhouse Candle.  It has just a simple base with a round handle and held a long taper.  Kind of like the one Scrooge carried in A Christmas Carol!

Outhouse Candle from A Christmas Carol

I actually lived in the mountains for five years and had an outhouse, so I really came to appreciate the outhouse candle holder and candle. It’s easier to carry “up the hill” than a lantern and gives just enough light to light the way to and from the outhouse and the house.

Another charming candle holder is the Courting Candle, or the Amish Courting Candle.

These candle holders were very popular at the turn of the century, and had a very specific purpose. They functioned as a “courting” timer. When a young man came courting the young lady of a household, the father would check him out, and adjust how long the candle would stay lit based on his impression of the young man. When the candle went out, the young man went home. Of course, being entirely adjustable, the father could change his mind during the visit and shorten or extend the young man’s stay.

Mini candelabras that hold votive candles are another nice touch and they give off a nice ambiance at the dinner table, as do the larger candelabras. But I am especially fond of the atmosphere the wall sconce candle holders give to a room. The light is soft and wavery and can be very soothing and romantic.

Find a corner in your home where you can collect some of these lovely wrought iron candle holders and keep your supply of candles well stocked because you’ll definitely want to use your candle holders.

Click here “I love wrought iron!” to buy beautiful wrought iron designs for YOUR life!

Wrought Iron Designs – Candle Holders is a post from: Wrought Iron Designs

Appreciation for wrought iron designs is returning, especially the products made by hand by true artisans like Lee Sauder from Germinal Ironworks in Lexington, Virginia and Carlos Galvan of Los-Factory in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico.

With increasing recognition of the value of quality wrought iron designs, they are again becoming important to homeowners, interior designers, architects, and collectors, to name just a few.

photo credit: Rennett Stowe
When looking for wrought iron for your home or yard, be careful not to buy cast iron instead. Wrought iron is forged and hammered to remove impurities and then hammered into the desired shape by the artist. It will show marks of the artisan’s hammer.

Some of the advantages of true wrought iron are:

• Every piece is unique
• Each piece is built to last a lifetime
• Maintenance is easy
• The artist pays close attention to details

Your wrought iron pieces are an investment which will require minimum maintenance to retain it’s beauty for many years to come.

Is It Real Wrought Iron?

Check the piece over carefully and look for signs that it is cast and/or machined, instead of forged.  Check for seams that would be evident in cast pieces and other casting marks.  Examine the welded joints for weaknesses.  Weak welds can result in fatigue and allow moisture to seep in and the piece to rust.

Wrought iron decorative pieces won’t look mass-produced like cast iron pieces, because each piece is unique.  Run you hands over the piece you plan to purchase and feel for roughness, breaks, splits, or other flaws that would compromise the strength of the wrought iron and again leave an entry for rust.

If at all possible, ask about references from the particular artisan you wish to buy from.  Look at photos of their work and ask if you can talk to a former client.  If at all possible, visit the artist’s place of work, where the wrought iron designs are actually created.

Carlos Galvan of Jalisco, Tlaquepaque, Mexico, is one such renowned artist who has made custom works around the world.  Photos of his work can be seen at Los-Factory website.  For any information you might need, contact Arjan Los, the co-founder – with Carlos Galvan – of Los-Factory.

Click here “I love wrought iron!” to buy beautiful wrought iron designs for YOUR life!

How to Buy True Wrought Iron Designs is a post from: Wrought Iron Designs

Carlos Galvan was born in Mexico in 1972 but he could have been born in Italy in 1472.

Wrought Iron Cross by Carlos Galvan

Carlos Galvan creates beautiful wrought iron designs for projects around the world.  He uses the same techniques that Nicolo Grosso Caparra used in Italy in the late 1400s for his antique wrought iron on such majestic buildings as the Strozzi Palace.  The two men could have been comtemporaries, their works are so much alike.  Unique.  Beautiful.  Built to last a life time.

Carlos works with his co-founder, Arjan Los, at the Los Factory in Tlaquepaque, Jalisco, Mexico.  Their custom Mexican wrought iron designs can be seen in Mexico, the United States, Sweden, the Philippines, Dubai, and many other places.

The world is fortunate to have men like Carlos Galvan who carry on the traditions of the past and produce exquisite wrought iron works of art.

Click here “I love wrought iron!” to buy beautiful wrought iron designs for YOUR life!

Mexico’s Premier Wrought Iron Designs Artist, Carlos Galvan is a post from: Wrought Iron Designs