Hello,
I have a small forge (i.e., a BBQ with heat reflecting cement inside) so I may be able to make those clips too. I am not opposed to buying the hardware and treating it to make it look aged/forged/blackened too.
Any suggestions?
That is a nice design, and congratulations for the initiative.
I'm a hobbyist blacksmith. It sounds like you have a propane-fired forge. I'd recommend beeswax as a coating if you are using mild steel, as you are apt to be. (If you are lucky enough to be using wrought iron, in contrast, no coating would be needed.) Apply the beeswax when the metal is warm, not hot, else the wax will burn off. Not only is beeswax historically accurate, it seasons the mild steel, inhibits corrosion, and is very pretty.