About Bushere & Son

         

   

(Left--James at the age of 18 with one of his ship sculptures he would make in metal shop.  Right--Charles at the age of 18.  Corona, CA)

James Frank Bushere started working in the metal field at a young age. Taking welding shop in high school and making sculptures set the spark of creativity and inspiration for working with iron. He graduated  in 1971 from high school and worked in a couple of factories fabricating objects for heavy construction equipment. Knowing in his heart that he wanted more freedom and creativity Frank opened his own business in 1975.

James Frank Bushere created gates and fencing for residential homes outside the greater Los Angeles area. With the recession hitting after booming housing in the 1980's Frank was forced to shut his doors in 1991. Having to sell all of his tools and machinery was one of the hardest sacrifices he had to make on this journey. But like they say, when one door closes in life another one opens.

The only things he would not let go were a gas forge, an assortment of tongs and a few hammers. For it was something he liked to fiddle with after hours. Seeing a demand for high quality iron and tile tables, he and his son decided to bring out the forge and begin experimenting. Then to reopen a new studio with his son Charles.

    Bushere & Son Iron Studio was founded in 1996.  Since then Frank & Charles Bushere have dedicated their lives to making high quality ironwork in all forms with a Spanish Revival inspired style.  From large architectural gates, furniture, lighting, hardware and decorative artwork to historical preservation.  Please feel free to contact us about your project.

    We are not open to the public.

       

      Santa Barbara Historical Museum 1996.

      From left to right: James Frank Bushere, Bob Wagner (Frank's metal shop teacher), Charles Bushere Sr.

       

      Resume of Historical Preservation

      1996 Pair of Gladding McBean Spanish dancers framed in tall frames and exhibited at the Santa Barbara Historical Museum for the Malibu, Macaws, & Marlins exhibition.

      1997 Additions to La Casa De Las Campanas, Hancock Park,Ca. *gate, furniture, tile & iron plaques/tables, pot holders.

      1998 Restoration & Additions to Morton's summer home also known as one of three dynasty houses. Also the 98' showcasehouse. Pasadena, Ca. *Restored front main entry gates, 4 sets of garden gates and patio lighting.

      1998 Additions to the Culbertson House. Historic Greene & Greene home. Pasadena, Ca. *Iron beam brackets with wedges.

      2001 Juried work exhibited for the Abana (Artist-Blacksmiths Association of North America).

      2001 Vintage tile & iron plaques provided by private clients exhibited at the Santa Monica California Heritage Museum for California Tile "The Golden Era" exhibit.

      2001 Additions to Castle Green. Pasadena, Ca. *Grillwork & furniture. (private residence)

      2002/2004 Restoration & additions to the Lillian Rice Historical House. Rancho Santa Fe, Ca. *Gate hardware, drapery, lighting, furniture, fireplace screens/accessories. (our largest commission to date)

      2004 Restoration on the Bradbury House Los Angeles, Ca. (one of only a handful of adobe wall homes left in California.) *Restored main entry gates.

      2008 Restoration and additions to a 1927 Mary Craig estate. Montecito, CA Railings new & restoration, fire accessories, wine cellar door, hardware.

      2008 Restoration and additions to a 1927 Paul Williams home. Los Angeles, CA. Light restoration, exterior lighting, gates, decorative panels, fire screen and accessories.

      2009 Light reproduction for the Glenn & Ida May Moore Rowhouse (Casa Blanca) Rancho Santa Fe, CA. Architect Lillian Rice