This will be a basic workshop where students will learn the fundamentals of blacksmithing such as how to forge a taper, upset, draw, split and punch holes in mild steel.

Basic fire control and hammer techniques will be demonstrated.

In this class we will focus on making several kitchen tools.

The first project will be a Flesh Fork then a Spatula and finally a Ladle. 

If there is time we will work on a Nutcracker. We will spend some time on the decorative choices in shaping and detailing the handles of these tools with shouldered changes in dimension, decorative file work and brass inlay. This class will also give students a chance to work on their forge welding ability. Students should have some forging experience and familiarity with forge welding.

Attention to detail, sometimes minute, is what separates great ironwork from good ironwork.

Dan will discuss and show you how to improve your work and instruct you in making spirals, acorns, piercings, leaves, rosettes, bark texture and more.

Students in this session will learn the iron shaping process of forging (heat and hammer).

Employing both hand and power tools, we will learn forging and joining techniques through the execution of brief exercises.

Additional discussion topics include design guidelines, tool making, finishes, and studio setup.

Anticipate a few clumsy moments, drops of sweat, and leaving the Valley with forging skills applicable to architectural iron, tool making or sculpture.

The Bladesmith masters many techniques: forging, grinding, heat-treating, finishing and sheath work.

This class will provide an overview of the process of creating a blade of function and beauty, including a demonstration on Damascus.

Basic blacksmithing experience is necessary.

Have you ever wondered what goes into producing high-quality Damascus steel?

In this workshop we will cover the major factors, working with each to produce our own material.

We will begin with the fundamentals: proper forge welding and folding techniques, and will advance through to production of basic patterns like “Maiden’s Hair Twist”, “Ladder” and “Pool and Eye”.

The intention is that afterward, you will have the solid foundation to work with confidence on your own.

This class will focus on traditional methods of forged joinery and the many different ways to accomplish a beautiful union.

We will cover how to make a strong, square mortise and tenon and the tooling required for these techniques.

Come learn how a well crafted joint can become the focus of a piece.

The objective of this workshop is to design, construct and critique artworks created using traditional and non-traditional blacksmithing techniques.

Students are encouraged to think about forged iron as a material and process to create sculptural forms.

Be prepared to work.

This class will cover power hammer use and control.

Tooling, both top tools and mounted forming dies, will be covered.

Estimating to determine stock sizes and tools used will be covered.

We will apply the ancient techniques of forging to making objects which relate to our time.

The focus will be the forge as students gain proficiency with hand tools and confidence to express their own ideas.

Exercises teach technique and problem solving which will be applied to project in the last half of the workshop.

Come prepared to work hard and have fun.

Scrolls and volutes are essential elements of both historic and modern architectural metalwork.

In this course, we will explore concepts of drawing and design and practical methods of forging and forming different types of scrolls with various decorative endings.

In this hands-on class you will learn Dick’s personal approach to building these seemingly confounding stair handrails.

Tooling, site work, layout and problem causes, corrections and compensations will be taught and discussed.

These proven techniques have been used by Dick for the past 30 years.

High Relief Chasing, as taught by this instructor, is derived from the Japanese style of High Relief Chasing used in swords, ornaments and kimono pins.

The technique is inspired by, but not true to, the full Japanese tradition.

In this workshop, students will learn how to make their own high quality chasing tools and then complete a chasing that incorporates extreme elevation shifts, fold-overs, under-cuts and highly textured surfaces.

We will also cover repoussé with hammers over metal stakes or wood stumps. 

Taking ideas from natural shapes such as plants and rocks, basic forging skills will be taught and expanded on to complete a variety of projects suited to each student’s interests and needs.

Have fun learning to forge metals into leaves, vines, texture and a variety of natural forms.

This workshop will show students how to develop beautiful temperlines in carbon steel blades.

It will cover forging, grinding and preparing the blades for heat treating as well as clay application for heat treating.

We will also learn to polish a window to reveal the hamon.

This workshop will be open to all students who have unfinished projects that they wish to complete or those who may have work they would like to start and need the studio space to work.

The instructor will offer technical advice and assistance with tools and design.

All who have completed at least a basic course are encouraged to enroll.