BLACKSMITHING CLASSES 2008

*Note that tuition includes material and studio fees. However, some instructors may provide additional materials that can be purchased in class.

*For all blacksmithing classes, please provide your own OSHA approved safety glasses, personal hearing protection to 32 decibels, leather gloves, sturdy leather uppers or apron, natural fiber pants and long-sleeved shirt. You may bring your own hammers and other hand tools, or use tools provided by Touchstone.

April 25 - 27

Beginning Blacksmithing for the Completely Ignorant but Eager-to-Learn

Jody Best

Beginner

$195

This entry-level class will allow aspiring, inspired, and soon-to-be-enthusiastic beginning blacksmiths with little or no previous blacksmithing experience to learn important fundamental techniques and to use these skills to complete several simple projects. Building and maintaining a coal fire, and tapering, bending, and twisting will be introduced. Resource materials will be provided and every trade secret revealed! Please wear hard shoes or boots, safety glasses, long pants, and long sleeves.

Jody Best is a blacksmith who maintained a public shop and studio at Spruce Forest Artisan Village / Penn Alps in Grantsville, MD. She now has a shop at her home where she produces functional and sculptural ironwork drawing inspiration from her garden and hanging out in the tree house with her daughters. Jody is a member of the Pittsburgh Area Artist Blacksmith Association and ABANA, and sells her work in area stores and galleries.

May 16 - 18

Teaching Your Mind, Hand, and Hammer to Work as One 

Robert (Bob) Elliott 

Beginner to Intermediate 

$195

This class is a great introduction to the basics of blacksmithing for the beginner and a chance for the intermediate student to enhance his or her skills. For beginners, we will cover building a proper fire and proper tool use. For those at the intermediate level, personalized instruction will enable them to continue to enhance their skills in a variety of areas.

Bob Elliott has been blacksmithing for 23 years. Known for his traditional style of blacksmithing, he has taught all levels. He has been juried in at Tamarack, demonstrated at many regional conferences, and had his work chosen twice in the ABANA ring competition. He has also had his work included in the book Lives Shaped by Steel. 

May 23 – 25

The Magnificent 7

John Medwedeff

Beginner to Intermediate

$195

Materials Fee Payable to Instructor: $5

A blacksmith can forge objects with an infinite possibility of design and function and with variations as unique and personal as their own fingerprints. Ironically, the technical methods to create all utilitarian, decorative, and sculptural forms at the forge are based on only 7 fundamental processes. This class, for the beginner to intermediate-level smith, will introduce or refresh these skills in the context of experimentation with hot iron and making small objects, with an emphasis on craftsmanship, design, and safe work practices. The goal of the class is to have fun while gaining an understanding of the basic skills required to open the door to the possibilities of the blacksmith’s imagination.

John Medwedeff, a full time artist-blacksmith, has been producing site-specific public sculpture, sculptural fountains, architectural ironwork, and furniture for over 25 years. John apprenticed with Jim Wallace at the Metal Museum in Memphis, TN, and afterwards earned his Master of Fine Arts degree in blacksmithing from SIU Carbondale. Concurrent with his studio work, John has curated exhibitions, taught sculpture and blacksmithing workshops at numerous craft schools, and lectured at universities and symposia across the country. His art has been featured recently in Metal Design 2006, Direct Metal Sculpture and Ironwork Today by Dona Meilach, and the journals Sculpture, Art & Antiques, Architectural Digest, and Metalsmith.

June 1 - 7

Traditional Touchstone Campfire Utensils and Cookware

Wayne Apgar, Dennis Gilkey, and Ken Carter 

All Levels
$460 

Campfire cooking has become a tradition at Touchstone. Burgers, hotdogs, chicken, and steak are just the start, and venison, goose, shrimp, and lazy cobbler may soon be on your campfire cookout menu after taking this class. Learn how to make and utilize the custom-made campfire crane and also the many utensils used in campfire cooking. This class will cover bending, drawing out, slitting, upsetting, cutting, embellishments including wizards and animals heads, and the basics of electric and forge welding. We will have a cookout at the Touchstone campfire as the weather permits. The motivated student can expect to complete a functional crane, a grill, and some utensils. 

Wayne Apgar is the owner operator of Durham Forge in Riegelsville, PA, and has over 10 years of smithing experience. He has demonstrated at various historical society functions and at Tuckerton Seaport. Wayne specializes in custom private commissions using iron, copper, bronze, and stainless. He is a member of ABANA, MASA, PABA and SOFA, and he teaches private classes at Durham Forge.

Dennis Gilkey is the owner-operator of Blue Spruce Forge in Creekside, PA, and is a semi-retired farrier of 25 years. He has been a hobbyist blacksmith for 18 years and a fulltime blacksmith for the past 9 years. Dennis has demonstrated at Oil Valley Blacksmiths Association (OVBA) and Pittsburgh Area Artist-Blacksmiths Association (PAABA) functions, the Indiana County Bicentennial, and the Annual Touchstone Hammer In. He is an active member of MASA, PAABA, ABANA and OVBA and is active in Touchstone fundraising activities. Dennis does commission work specializing in architectural ironwork such as railings, hinges, furniture, fire screens, and accessories with an emphasis on traditional joinery. 

Ken Carter is the owner-operator of Knott Creek Forge in Denton, MD, and has over seven years of smithing experience. Ken is a member and director of Mid-Atlantic Smiths Association and a member of ABANA. He enjoys making many items in the traditional style such as forks, bottle openers, ladles, spatulas, pot racks, custom fireplace screens and accessories, and sign brackets, as well as fancy forms inspired by nature such as leaves, vines, and flowers.

June 8 - 14

Design and Build

Nigel Tudor

Intermediate to Advanced

$460

Learn how to execute an ironwork project from conception to completion. This course will give you a working knowledge of design, layout, forging components, assembly, and possible finishes. This will be an interactive course where each student will design and build his/her own project. After this week you will have the knowledge and confidence to tackle larger and more complex projects.

Nigel Tudor is a 27-year-old professional blacksmith who has been smithing for 14 years. He studied with Timm Bredohl and Andreas Gueldenberg in Germany through the ABANA Aachen Work Study Program. He was a member of the Precious Order of Meticulous Metalsmiths who demonstrated making a locking chest at the 2004 ABANA conference. In addition, Nigel honed his skills by taking over courses at Touchstone. He is now focusing on architectural ironwork; his work can be found in Germany, Belgium, and across the US.

June 15 - 21
Irons in the Fire: Beginning Blacksmithing
Glenn Horr
Beginner

$460

This course is a great way to start or refresh your skills in the art of functional metalwork. Instruction will include building the coal fire and basic forging skills: drawing out, twisting, tool making, forge welding, punching, and scrollwork. Students will be able to finish a few small items. Beginners are welcome, as no prior experience is necessary.

Glenn Horr has been forging metalwork for 30 years. He uses traditional and contemporary techniques to create decorative work for the home. Working in steel, iron, copper, and bronze, he does commissioned work and has exhibited and taught extensively. Glenn participates in conferences and workshops and was the Touchstone Center for Crafts Artist of the Year in 2005. He has owned and operated Highland Forge in the arts community of Berkeley Springs, WV, for 24 years.

June 22 - 28

Architectural Design

Richard Sheppard

All Levels

$460

This class will cover everything from customer interview, research and development, layout and design, to creation of an actual project. Intermediate and advanced blacksmiths will find the class invaluable, but beginners will also gain from the experience. By the week’s end, you will have selected a project appropriate to the time period or customer’s satisfaction, and have produced a piece of functional or decorative art.

Richard N. Sheppard is an artisan blacksmith with more than 30 years of experience. Richard has taught classes and demonstrated throughout the US and Canada. He has done everything from restoration projects to interior and exterior design and has won awards in several art venues. He is the designer and maker of the Big Lick treadle hammer and owner of Sheppard Forges in Hazelton, WV.

June 29 - July 5

Woodgrain Techniques with Metal

Jeff Forster

All Levels

$460 

This entry level and beyond class will include an introduction to the use of the hammer, and basic techniques such as tapering, scrolling, and fullering, and much more. Our use of ancient and modern techniques will further any interest or skill level, and special attention will be paid to the techniques of making steel appear to have organic shapes, such as wood grain and vines.

Jeff Forster is a professional blacksmith. He has a particular interest in making steel appear to have organic shape, such as wood grain and vines, and is always excited to share the techniques.

July 6 - 12
Knockers and Beyond
Frederic A. Crist
Intermediate to Advanced

$470

Explore the limits of forging decorative metalwork, such as carving figures and creatures of the grotesque, and using them in decorative features as doorknockers, door pulls, hinges, and various other items. We will explore processes such as hot and cold carving, decorative chisel work, repoussé, forge welding, and more. Come willing to challenge individual skills.

Fred Crist has been a practicing artist blacksmith and sculptor for the past 30 years. He graduated from Philadelphia College of Art with a BFA in sculpture, worked as the head blacksmith at Samuel Yellin Metalworkers for 11 years, and then went on to create many corporate and private commissions for 18 years as a partner in Metalsmiths, Inc. In 2007 he opened his own studio, FACrist/Metalsmith and continues to design and create custom works in metal.

July 13 - 19
Damascus Extravaganza
Ray Rybar
All Levels

$470

Materials Fee Paid to Touchstone: TBD $180 to $200

This class is a free-for-all jump into the world of Damascus steel. The student will have the opportunity to learn the simplest layered Damascus to the most complex mosaic Damascus. Students will be free to explore applications in cutlery, jewelry, or any other application they might dream of all under the tutelage of the instructor.
Ray Rybar has been forging all manner of Damascus steel for over 20 years. He is a registered Master Smith with the prestigious, world-recognized American Bladesmith Society. His work has been sold to private collectors as well as companies like Westinghouse, Shiloh Construction, and Seto Cutlery of Japan. Ray’s work has been published in numerous magazines and books. Most recently, several of his award-winning knives were published in Art of the Knife by Joe Kertzman.

July 27 - August 2
Hand-Forged Critters, Creepys, and More!
Holly Fisher
All Levels

$470
Materials Fee Payable to Touchstone: $35

Enjoy an overview of basic blacksmithing techniques, design principles, and aesthetic methodology while learning to make a variety of quirky critters from sheet steel and bar stock. This class is designed to encourage students to put their own creative twists on each demonstrated project. Expect to make many charming hand-forged works, to be wildly inspired, and to have a lot of fun.
Holly Fisher is the Founder and Director of the Smartshop Metal Arts Collective, a non-profit metal working school in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She holds a BFA from Truman State University, an MFA from the University of Montana, and has extensive experience teaching both art and metalworking to students of all ages. Holly is an enthusiastic instructor who focuses on encouraging each of her students to find and refine their creative voices. Her work can be seen at the National Ornamental Metal Museum, Touchstone’s Gift Shop, and other galleries around the US.

August 3 - 9

Traditional Forging

Bob Becker

Intermediate to Advanced

$470

This class will focus on teaching traditional forging skills, tool making, and decorative objects, such as trivets, candlestick, or grill samplers.

Bob Becker has been forging for 25 years and has been teaching blacksmithing since 1995. He does mostly commissioned work using his favorite forging motif – the horse. He has demonstrated at national and state conferences since 1990. Bob takes pride in his ability to create works of art through his manipulation of hot metal with a hammer and anvil. Visit www.whitehorseforge.com.

August 10 - 16

From Small Things, Big Things Come

Chris Winterstein

All Levels

$460

All blacksmithing consists of a few basic skills repeated in different orders and dimensions of material. In this class, we'll cover the basics of forging with special emphasis on forgings that highlight the very plastic nature of hot steel. We'll practice those basics and learn methods for making our forgings repeatable or fit a particular space. Our goal will be not only to learn some forging, but also to learn how to take whatever skills we have, and use them to build more complex objects. The rule for this class is: you can do whatever you want to do, but you have to do it on purpose. Come prepared to have fun and work hard.

Chris Winterstein has been blacksmithing for over 12 years. He worked for the National Ornamental Metal Museum and the Penland School of Crafts before opening his own shop in Bakersville, NC, in 2003. He has taught workshops at the John C. Campbell Folk School, the New England School of Metalwork, Peter's Valley Craft Education Center, and the National Ornamental Metal Museum. Chris is currently under contract to Samuel Yellin Metalworkers, and is proud to serve as the President of ABANA.

September 5 - 7

Exploring Hot Metal Form

Bob Rupert

All Levels

$195

During this weekend getaway in hot metal, we will study organic form and how to obtain it in your work. Hand and power tools, die forming, processes, and application will be covered. Come and study with other artisans for a fun-filled weekend using traditional methods and tools.

Bob Rupert holds a degree in aeronautics and studied knife-making with R. W. Wilson and William Moran at RIT. He is the vice-president of the Pittsburgh Area Artist-Blacksmith’s Association. He has led ABANA seminars at Kent State University and was twice featured as the centerfold subject in Knives.

September 19 - 21

Tapestry through Time

Richard Sheppard

All Levels

$195

Welcome to a weekend of fun and excitement as you create your own cooking utensils for indoor formal meals or outdoor cooking in the rough. During this two-day class, students will work on making a four-piece set including a fork, ladle, and spatula with hanger. Pieces can be authentic replicas of early American hardware or freestyle imaginations of your soul. This weekend class will include all instruction and materials to take home a completed set of utensils.

See Richard’s biography under Architectural Design (June 22).

September 26 - 28

Get Your Iron in the Fire

Nigel Tudor

Beginner

$195

With hammer in hand, spend the weekend learning blacksmithing basics. Make a few fun projects, sharpen technical skills and gain knowledge that will further your blacksmithing endeavors.

See Nigel’s biography under Design and Build (June 6).