If you missed my first post from my visit to Boyd Lighting, you can catch it here. It gives a great overview of what makes their workshop so special — the focus, the precision, the people behind the craft.
For those who’ve already read it, welcome back. This time, I’m taking you in for a closer look at how one of Boyd’s most iconic designs, the Loop Series, actually comes to life. Watching it happen in person was one of those moments where you can feel the difference between “made” and crafted.
When I was out at Boyd, I knew they took their work seriously, but seeing the Loop Series up close hit differently. Every curve, every seam, every tiny detail is treated with this level of care that you can’t fake.
Where It All Begins
Everything starts with a schematic. That’s the blueprint that maps out every dimension, every angle, and every curve. Whether they’re making a single loop, a double, or a custom size, each one starts as a sheet of raw brass.
From there, it moves to a custom metal-bending machine built specifically for developing the Loop Series. It’s what keeps every bend clean and consistent. The team lines up their marks, tightens a few clamps, and slowly bends the brass until they hit the exact radius we designed. No computer guessing, no automation. Just hands, eyes, and a lot of muscle memory.
Once the curves are right, the two halves are ready to become one.
Fire, Patience, and a Steady Hand
This part was honestly hypnotic to watch. The craftsman adds a bit of flux, heats the metal, and uses silver solder to fuse the two halves together. It’s not welding; it’s gentler, more controlled, and takes real focus and precision.
The heat has to hit just the right temperature, usually somewhere between 800 and 900 degrees, so the silver flows perfectly between the seams. If the timing’s off, the whole piece can warp or split. Watching him move the torch was like watching someone paint with fire—slow, smooth, and confident.
Soldering isn’t something you can fake. Every gauge of metal heats and cools differently. If the brass gets too hot, it’ll deform and the piece is done for. But if you don’t heat it enough, the solder won’t flow into the seam or bond properly. When it’s done right, though, that silver flows perfectly and locks everything together.
When he finished, you could barely see where the two halves met. Taking two separate pieces of metal and forming them into one seamless module never gets old. It’s just beautiful.
Bringing Out the Shine
Once the soldering’s done and the metal cools, the clamps come off and the real finishing work begins. The seams are ground down until they’re perfectly smooth, then the piece is first polished on the belts before moving to the polishing wheels to achieve a soft satin finish. Every line is checked again, because at Boyd, “close enough” just isn’t part of our vocabulary.
From there, each Loop goes through its final transformation. We don’t offer polished mirror finishes on the Loop because the interior bracketry is soldered in, which means the inside can’t be polished evenly. Instead, each one is given a soft antique patina or powder coat for a matte finish. Rare, non-standard, and unique to every order.
After polishing, the Loops head to the antiquing room to be transformed into your specified finish. That could mean Antiqued Brass, the softer, more artisanal Earthen Brass, or a deep, dramatic Blackened Brass. It’s amazing how one design can take on so many personalities depending on its finish.
What Stuck with Me
Here’s what I love most. Everyone in that room moves with intention. No shortcuts, no rushing. It’s clear they know they’re making something that’s going to live in someone’s home, office, or gallery for decades. That kind of pride is rare.
When you see a Loop sconce or pendant in person, you immediately notice the craftsmanship. It’s refined but warm, sculptural but never showy. There are no visible fasteners, screws, or knobs, only a seamless expression of form and light.
The Loop Sconces capture the essence of modern simplicity: a design that appears effortless yet reveals extraordinary complexity in its making. From concept to craftsmanship, every detail is refined to quiet perfection. It’s a reminder that true elegance lies in what you don’t see.
It’s just Boyd.