The introduction to blacksmithing course is a six-hour course designed to expose students to basic blacksmithing techniques. Students will begin the day by making nails - nails are a great exercise as they require several different forging techniques: drawing a taper, using a hot cut hardy, and upsetting. In making the nails students will also gain confidence in swinging a hammer, hitting accurately and with vigor, managing hot steel in the forge and comfortably working at the anvil.
The second exercise will be to make decorative leaves. Leaves are a great next step as they use several of the techniques learned in making the nails plus a few new techniques are introduced, such as the use of a chisel on hot steel, spreading metal to make the lobes of the leaf and sinking the leaf form into a stump. The piece of steel with a leaf on one end can then become many different things, a simple hook, a fire poker, a BBQ fork, or whatever else the student comes up with.
The last portion of the day is set aside to simply practice skills learned. Students can make a bottle opener, coat hook, more nails, more leaves, etc.
The primary goals of the class are for students to have a fun time in a relaxed environment and learn basic blacksmithing skills.
Registration closes 1 week before the day of class.
Students must be 18 years of age or older.
Durable, close-toed shoes, and long pants required.
Blacksmithing classes are located at Kelly Rigg's studio at 6305 Rich Rd. SE, Unit C, Olympia, WA.
Directions: Yelm Highway to Rich Rd SE, 3/4 Mile (or so) on right hand side to "Arts Park" main entrance. Look for the "Studio 23" sign above the studio entrance.
