Built by hand in Durham
Cricket Forge was founded in 1999 in downtown Durham, North Carolina, by award-winning blacksmiths and sculptors Francis Vega and Neal Carlton. What began as a small studio devoted to handcrafted metal furnishings became known for bold form, expressive detail, and work built to last.
More than two decades later, the studio enters a new chapter.
Today, Cricket Forge operates with a similar but sharpened focus: creating sculptural steel pieces that balance imagination with structural integrity. The work remains rooted in American metalworking, with a forward-facing vision centered on expressive design, disciplined construction, and objects meant to live fully in real spaces.
Built and finished in Durham using domestic materials, each piece reflects artistic intent and long-term durability. These are not decorative accents. They are sculptural steel pieces designed to hold presence over time.
LEADERSHIP
Aaron Earley
Co-Owner & Artistic Lead
Aaron is a sculptor by training, holding a BFA in Painting and Sculpture with a minor in Art History from East Carolina University. His work is driven by curiosity and a deep interest in form, structure, and how things are built. He is drawn to vintage and mechanical objects, often studying insects and natural systems for inspiration.
At Cricket Forge, Aaron leads artistic direction and creative development. Years of working with steel have given him an intuitive understanding of the material — its weight, its limits, and how it moves under heat and pressure. What appears rigid and unforgiving becomes something he knows how to shape and resolve through experience, balancing instinct and discipline at the forge.
Jonathan Paschall
Co-Owner & Client Experience Lead
A Durham native, Jonathan is deeply invested in the long-term health of Cricket Forge and the relationships that sustain it. A devoted husband and father, his commitment to family shapes the way he approaches both business and community.
While the sculptural work takes shape in the shop, Jonathan focuses on the foundation that allows it to thrive. He works closely with clients, guiding projects with clarity, transparency, and consistency. His leadership ensures that the experience of working with Cricket Forge feels steady, thoughtful, and built to last.
OUR APPROACH
Every piece at Cricket Forge is designed with presence in mind.
Form, scale, and movement are considered carefully, but never at the expense of strength. The goal is to create work that feels expressive and alive while remaining structurally sound.
Steel is heated, shaped, welded, and finished by hand in our Durham studio. Some ideas come together smoothly. Others require testing, adjustment, and persistence. The process is part of the story, and it shows in the texture and character of the final piece.
All of our work is made to order and built for outdoor life from the start. Weather, time, and daily use are not challenges to overcome later. They are part of the design.
Our work is not meant to blend in, but to stand with clarity and endure over time.
Stay connected to what we’re making
Sign up for thoughtful releases, behind-the-scenes details, and pieces as they come to life — delivered with intention
Why "Cricket Forge"?
Many cultures view the presence of a cricket in the household as a symbol of good luck, where the cricket is the bearer of wealth, companionship, and happiness. The “Cricket on the hearth” scenario is usually experienced in colder months, where crickets often seek warmth indoors, sometimes on or near a fireplace. The “Forge,” aspect is in reference to the crickets that tend to hang around the recently-used blacksmith forges in the Cricket Forge shop.
FAQs
What are Cricket Forge products made of?
All Cricket Forge products, unless otherwise stated, are made of heavy gauge steel, zinc galvanized to prevent rusting, and the majority of our products are painted with highly-durable waterborne acrylic DTM paints, which use the newest high quality American-made resins in the marketplace. These offer excellent color and gloss retention, as well as corrosion resistance, providing a long-lasting finish.
How do I maintain by Cricket Forge furnishing?
- Painted steel: Wash with mild soap and water as necessary to remove environmental grime.
- Rust Patina Steel: No maintenance necessary.
- Wall hangings & lamps: Clean with a damp cloth as necessary.
Is shipping included?
Free shipping to the contiguous United States (lower-48). Cricket Forge metal art is designed, made, packed and shipped from our studio located in Durham, North Carolina USA. Some items are available to ship immediately, however most items, particularly larger items such as benches, chairs and sculpture, are made to order. Please allow up to 4-8 weeks for us to fabricate and ship your order.
How is it packaged and delivered?
- Small Package: We ship to any physical address in the contiguous 48 states, but do not ship to post office boxes or military APO/FPO addresses. Small items are shipped via UPS Ground service.
- Large Package: Large items ship via motor freight. Carriers schedule deliveries Monday through Friday and require a signature for the merchandise.
Can you explain the truck delivery?
- Standard Curbside Delivery: The trucking company will call you to schedule a delivery appointment. Your items(s) will be taken off the truck by the driver and delivered to the curb at the end of your driveway. You are responsible for moving item(s) from curb side.
- White Glove Delivery Service: The delivery company will call you to schedule a delivery appointment. This service includes taking your item(s) up to two flights of stairs, placement of your choice, unpacking, and removal of packing materials. There is an additional charge for White Glove Delivery Service — Quote upon request.
