Blacksmithing Workshops
2012 Blacksmithing Workshops - Full Listings Now Available!
Weekend Workshops
2012 Workshops
Registration Form
May 11-13
Learning to Forge and Shape Steel
Lynda Metcalfe
Fee: $330
Skill Level: Beginning
Materials Fee: approximately $15, will vary by what you buy (to be paid directly to the instructor)
Instructor Contact:
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; www.lyndametcalfe.com
Description: If you would like to start blacksmithing and learn how to make metal move under your hammer, this is the workshop for you. Students will learn some basic shaping techniques such as tapering, bending, upsetting and also ornamentation with decorative twists, chiseling and scrolls to make some useful and decorative items to take home. Along the way, learn about hammer control, good body mechanics, and how to manage the forge fire.
Bio: Lynda Metcalfe is a self-employed smith working on commissioned projects ranging from furniture to railings. She was born in England, where she received her metals undergrad degree and initial blacksmithing training. But she has been working in the United States for twelve years now and lives in western NC.
June 1-3
Learn the Basics: Decorative Grills
Susan Hutchinson
Fee: $330
Skill Level: Beginning-Intermediate
Instructor Contact:
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Description: Learn and use a collection of basic forging skills (tapers, leaves, upset square corners, scrolls, riveting, hot collars, and finishing) to make a small decorative grill. If you work hard, expect to go home with a 12” by 12” wall hanging of your own design. Composition, layout and scaling will be included. Beginners are welcome; intermediate students will be expected to expand past their comfort zone.
Bio: Susan Hutchinson began forging about twenty-five years ago at Penland School and has been teaching and demonstrating blacksmithing for fifteen years. She specializes in an updated Art Nouveau style using fluid organic forms for furniture and functional home items.
June 22-24
Fireplace Tools for Beg-Int Blacksmiths
Joe Brown
Fee: $330
Skill Level: Beginning-Intermediate
Materials Fee: $25 (to be paid directly to the instructor)
Instructor Contact:
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; www.joebrownblacksmith.com
Description: In this workshop students will learn several basic blacksmithing skills including fire management, hot twisting, and forging decorative elements. These skills will be used to forge a shovel, poker, broom handle and hooks for mounting.
Bio: Joe Brown is a full-time Artist Blacksmith working from his forge in Readyville, TN. He specializes in custom forgings for residential and commercial projects.
June 29-July 1
Church Key 101: Intro to the Art of Bottle Openers
Abraham Pardee
Fee: $330
Skill Level: Beginning-Advanced
Instructor Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Description: Participants will make punch tools and learn to use them to create unique bottle openers. Skills learned will include hammer control, punching and drifting holes, heat treating for tools, using tooling to derive form and design, treadle hammer operation, and sledge hammer striking. Participants will leave with at least one punch and as many bottle openers as they can make.
Bio: Abraham Pardee graduated from the Appalachian Center for Craft with his B.F.A. in metals in 2010. Since then he has worked for Caleb Kullman in western Colorado and received a student Niche Award. He is now working at the Metal Museum in Memphis, TN as one of two resident blacksmith’s apprentices.
One-week Workshops*
*OPTIONAL: One-week workshops are available for 1 university credit hour; credit hour fees are in addition to workshop fee. For more information abour credit hours, please click here.
May 20-25
Bladesmithing
Jason Bivens
Fee: $550
Skill Level: Beginning-Advanced
Materials Fee: $30 (to be paid directly to the instructor)
Instructor Contact:
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Description: Students will learn to forge a blade, make a guard and handle, and assemble them to a finished product. Students will also be taught how to do beautiful file work to embellish their knives. If time permits we will also make damascus. Students will all take home at least one finished knife, or more, depending on their skill level.
Bio: Jason Bivens has been making knives for over twenty-five years. He has also been blacksmithing for twenty-plus years, focusing on bladesmithing. He is a member of the Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths. He teaches locally with a focus on damascus steel and pattern welded steel.
June 10-15
Making Tools for Anvil, Power Hammer or Treadle Hammer
Clay Spencer
Fee: $550
Skill Level: Beginning-Advanced
Materials Fee: $50 (to be paid directly to the instructor)
Instructor Contact:
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Description: Students should expect to make 20 or more tools (depending on complexity of tools selected and student skill level), such as hardies, fullers, hacks and other cut off tools, tenon swages, ball swages, acorn swages, taper tools, side sets, mouse dies, wizard head tools, hot cuts, punches, pipe swages, rope dies, etc. We will use W-1, H-13 and 4140 tol steel in addition to spring, axle and jack hammer.
Bio: Clay has been blacksmithing since 1987 and teaching since 1988. He has designed two treadle hammers and the tire hammer, and led workshops to build them. He was on the ABANA board, receiving ABANA’s Alex Bealer Award and life membership. He was also writer and newsletter editor for the Alabama Forge Council for ten years.
July 8-13
Furniture from the Forge
Chris Shea
Fee: $550
Skill Level: Beginning-Intermediate (Beginners welcomed!)
Instructor Contact:
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; www.chrisshea.com
Description: Create a forged iron table or chair using hammer, tongs, anvil and fire. Fundamental blacksmithing techniques will be taught, including: forging, bending, riveting, and mortise and tenon joinery—all with a focus on creating beautiful and functional furniture for the home.
Bio: Chris Shea has been a full-time metalsmith and designer for fifteen years. His iron and glass furniture is included in the permanent collection of the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Renwick Gallery.
2012 Intensive Workshop in Blacksmithing*
We apologize, but we will be unable to offer an intensive workshop in blacksmithing.
