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Classes  >>  Blacksmithing


The art of blacksmithing has been practiced for thousands of years to manipulate metal into objects from horseshoes to swords to furniture. Blacksmiths heat iron in a forge and use tools such as a hammer and anvil to shape it to a desired form. 


Click on the course name to see all class meeting dates, times, and course fee.

If you're looking for a Reheater option, select the class you'd like to Reheat and choose the appropriate fee when registering.

Please read these FAQs for details about what to bring/wear, refund policy, age requirements and more. We've also compiled a sensory rubric with more information about what to expect in a particular type of class. 

Joining a waitlist? Before you add yourself to a waitlist for a class that's full, it helps us if you're pretty certain you'll be available. If a spot becomes available, you'll be automatically registered and given about 24 hours to confirm your registration by paying. If we have a long list of folks who are no longer interested, it can be time-consuming to fill that spot. Thank you!

Upcoming classes

  • Blacksmithing Project Shop: Forged Flowers & Leaves

    • Thu, November 13, 2025
    • Thu, December 18, 2025
    • 5 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Transform inorganic material into organic shapes in this hands-on workshop. You’ll learn how to manipulate metal into delicate, lifelike forms inspired by nature. Discover the intricate balance between strength and finesse as you hammer, bend, and texture steel to mimic the flowing lines of flower petals and leaves. By the end of the session, you’ll not only create a beautiful, hand-forged piece but also gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and precision involved in blacksmithing while practicing essential forging techniques.


    $235 ($195 tuition + $40 materials)
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk


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  • Build Your Own Forge (TBD)

    • Wed, December 31, 2025
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    This class is generally offered twice per year. Click on 'Join Waitlist' to be notified when we schedule it again. When the class is opened for registration, everyone on the list is notified at the same time.

    Build a propane blacksmithing forge of your own to take home! In this introductory course, we will begin by learning the metal fabrication and welding techniques needed to build your own propane forge. This process will provide you with an intimate understanding of the equipment and how to safely operate and maintain it, inspiring the confidence to use it on your own. All supplies and materials needed to build your own forge are included.

    Please bring or wear the following personal protective equipment to class: safety glasses, head covering, long sleeves and long pants. Loose-fitting welding gloves are optional. Open to ages 18 and up.  |  Fee: $595 ($265 tuition + $330 materials)  |  8 weeks

    Instructor: Jim Ricci is a jack-of-all-trades with decades of experience in woodworking and construction, who discovered his passion for metalworking right here at CAFAC. Once a student under David Mariette, Jim has been independently metalworking ever since. Some of his work can be seen in the gardens of the Circus Juventas Big Top. Jim attributes his love for craftsmanship in part to his grandfather, whose favorite saying was: “you can learn something new every day of your life.”

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  • Open Forge Time

    • Tue, January 06, 2026
    • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    Open Forge Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a blacksmithing class at CAFAC.

    Let's fire up the forges and work on personal projects! This is a great opportunity to make tools or finish something you've been working on, with an instructor on hand to answer questions as needed. You'll provide your own metal and CAFAC will supply the tools, equipment, and shop consumables. 

    Experience is required. Please don't sign up if you haven't taken a blacksmithing class at CAFAC.

    $45
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Lee Meilleur


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  • Forged Wearables: Jewelry-Scale Blacksmithing

    • Thu, January 08, 2026
    • Thu, February 05, 2026
    • 5 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 3
    Register


    Blacksmithing is not all swords and armor! It can also include making small forged objects that you can wear. In this class, we'll explore designing unique jewelry pieces, from bracelets and earrings to whatever you can imagine. You can expect to create at least three steel and/or copper jewelry projects. These projects will vary in size (from small to extremely small), allowing you to practice and gain skills in forging fine and detailed objects with a hammer and anvil. We'll practice delicate tapering, twisting, punching holes, chisel work, and finishes. Along with these traditional blacksmithing techniques, this class has a strong focus on learning problem solving, creative thinking, challenging perfectionism, and developing healthy posture and form while swinging your hammer.

    *Some* blacksmithing experience is recommended, but we can accommodate beginners.

    $305 ($270 tuition + $35 materials)  |  5 sessions
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Pete Gierzynski 


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  • Blacksmithing Project Shop: Custom Tools

    • Fri, January 09, 2026
    • Fri, February 13, 2026
    • 6 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    Register

    Don’t have the tool you need for the job? Well, you can make it! This course focuses on the creation of custom tools for metalwork that can’t easily be bought. Texturing dies, custom tongs, shaped punches, bending forks and bending jigs, and many more tools that may have only one use but will make your forging life easier! You will learn to use creative problem solving to identify your tool needs, and how to approach designing and making them. This will be an individual project class, so you will come away with the tool(s) that you want to make and the knowledge of how to make more in the future. There will be starter projects if you can’t think of where to begin. Prepare to re-write what you think of as a tool!

    Prerequisite: Blacksmithing Basics 1 (with gas forge) or equivalent experience/permission from instructor.

    $315 ($270 tuition + $45 materials)
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Pete Gierzynski


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  • Blacksmithing Project Shop: Forged Flowers & Leaves

    • Sun, January 11, 2026
    • Sun, February 08, 2026
    • 5 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 2
    Register

    Transform inorganic material into organic shapes in this hands-on workshop. You’ll learn how to manipulate metal into delicate, lifelike forms inspired by nature. Discover the intricate balance between strength and finesse as you hammer, bend, and texture steel to mimic the flowing lines of flower petals and leaves. By the end of the session, you’ll not only create a beautiful, hand-forged piece but also gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and precision involved in blacksmithing while practicing essential forging techniques.


    $265 ($225 tuition + $40 materials), 5 sessions
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk


    Show details

  • Blacksmithing Project Shop: Bottle Openers for Beginners

    • Sun, January 11, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 2
    Register

    Build your blacksmith skills with a fun and useful project: making a bottle opener. They’re quick to make and can incorporate all basic blacksmithing processes in one compact project. We'll end class with a celebratory bottle-opening to try out your new tool - that means a beer or soda is included! No experience necessary.

    $100 ($75 tuition + $25 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: John Hehre



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  • Blacksmithing Basics 1 (TUE AFTN)

    • Tue, January 13, 2026
    • Tue, March 03, 2026
    • 8 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    If you had a hammer, would you use it to drive a nail? Or would you rather use it to forge a nail from red hot iron? This course is designed to ignite your passion for blacksmithing and introduce you to the seemingly endless ways of expressing yourself by shaping iron with fire and hammer. You'll gain basic knowledge of iron and its characteristics, an understanding of the dynamics of forging, and the ability to safely shape iron with heat and a hammer.

    By the end of class, you'll have covered the basic forging processes, including drawing and tapering, splitting, cutting, drifting, punching, twisting, upsetting. You'll develop those skills through projects such as: hooks, utensils, bottle openers, trivets, and forging tools.

    $415 ($360 tuition + $55 materials)  |  8 weeks
    Open to ages 18 and up, or 17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

    Instructor: Dan Osadchuk

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  • Blacksmithing Basics 1 (TUE EVE)

    • Tue, January 13, 2026
    • Tue, March 03, 2026
    • 8 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    If you had a hammer, would you use it to drive a nail? Or would you rather use it to forge a nail from red hot iron? This course is designed to ignite your passion for blacksmithing and introduce you to the seemingly endless ways of expressing yourself by shaping iron with fire and hammer. You'll gain basic knowledge of iron and its characteristics, an understanding of the dynamics of forging, and the ability to safely shape iron with heat and a hammer.

    By the end of class, you'll have covered the basic forging processes, including drawing and tapering, splitting, cutting, drifting, punching, twisting, upsetting. You'll develop those skills through projects such as: hooks, utensils, bottle openers, trivets, and forging tools.

    $415 ($360 tuition + $55 materials)  |  8 weeks
    Open to ages 18 and up, or 17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

    Instructor: Becca Cerra

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  • Blacksmithing Project Shop: Soup Spoons

    • Sat, January 17, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 7
    Register

    Dip your fingers into basic blacksmithing and come out with a spoon, suitable for slurping soup (or anything else you'd  eat with a spoon). In this one day workshop, we'll learn basic blacksmithing techniques and have fun designing and creating a unique and functional piece. At the end of class, you'll get to try out your spoon on some ice cream! No experience necessary. 

    $90 ($75 tuition + $15 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Gaea Dill-D'Ascoli



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  • Blacksmithing Project Shop: Decorative Hinges

    • Sun, January 18, 2026
    • Sun, March 01, 2026
    • 6 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 5
    Register

    This course introduces the fundamentals of hand-forged hinge making, with a focus on traditional blacksmithing techniques. Designed for beginners and intermediate metalworkers, the class welcomes anyone interested in historical hardware, functional metal art, or expanding their forging skills. While no prior blacksmithing experience is required, basic familiarity with forge safety and hammer control will enhance the learning experience.

    You'll learn to forge two to three styles of hinges, progressing from foundational to more advanced forms. The course begins with a simple Viking-style hinge to establish core techniques in shaping and punching. Next, you'll forge a hot-cut chisel, to use while creating a strap hinge with decorative finials. If you complete the primary projects and are up for another challenge, you can attempt a more complex knuckle-joint strap hinge incorporating both functional and ornamental elements.

    By the end of the course, you'll be able to:

    • Safely operate forging tools and equipment
    • Forge basic and intermediate hinge types
    • Produce and use a hot-cut chisel for decorative and structural work
    • Create functional joinery and decorative finials
    • Apply traditional blacksmithing techniques to future metalworking projects

    $315 ($270 tuition + $45 materials)
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk


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  • Unfinished Business

    • Fri, February 06, 2026
    • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 6
    Register

    Join us for a one-day workshop that's all about taking your metal artwork across the finish line.

    In this hands-on class, you’ll learn how to safely and confidently use angle grinders, die grinders, dremels, and other finishing tools to refine surfaces and remove casting or weld marks. We’ll also dive into needle scalers and sandblasters for texturing and cleanup, giving you a full toolkit for professional-quality finishes. A comprehensive patina demo will introduce you to color, oxidation, and sealing options so your work looks intentional and gallery-ready. This class is perfect for past casting students who have unfinished pieces waiting for attention, as well as artists who want to add hardware or make minor adjustments so their work functions smoothly. Bring your “almost done” projects and leave with completed, exhibition-ready metal sculpture.

    $90 ($75 tuition + $15 materials)
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Brighton McCormick


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  • Blacksmithing Project Shop: Charcuterie Set

    • Sun, February 15, 2026
    • Sun, March 01, 2026
    • 3 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register

    Combine your love of food and craft! Dive into the world of blacksmithing with our hands-on workshop in which you’ll create a stunning hand-forged cheese knife and fork set. This class is designed for enthusiasts of beginner to intermediate skill levels who are eager to learn the traditional techniques of metalworking and craft their own eating tools.

    In this class you will gain a solid understanding of blacksmithing basics by learning key forging techniques such as drawing out, tapering, twisting, and scrolling. You will start by forging a handle and blade to shape. Then, you will move on to making a unique twisted fork to complete your bespoke charcuterie set. On the last day of class, students are invited to bring their favorite meats and cheeses to share in a charcuterie potluck meal.

    $170 ($135 tuition + $35 materials)
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk


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  • Open Forge Time

    • Fri, February 27, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register

    Open Forge Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a blacksmithing class at CAFAC.

    Let's fire up the forges and work on personal projects! This is a great opportunity to make tools or finish something you've been working on, with an instructor on hand to answer questions as needed. You'll provide your own metal and CAFAC will supply the tools, equipment, and shop consumables. 

    Experience is required. Please don't sign up if you haven't taken a blacksmithing class at CAFAC.

    $45
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Lee Meilleur


    Show details

  • Blacksmithing Project Shop: Penannular Brooch

    • Sun, March 08, 2026
    • 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register

    Want to pin your kilt or cloak, or add a clever brooch to your scarf? Have an appreciation for Celtic fashion? In this introductory blacksmithing workshop, you'll make a penannular brooch of your very own! Penannular refers to an incomplete ring, which when combined with a pin serves as a clothing fastener. You'll be introduced to and practice basics blacksmithing techniques while you twist and taper your penannular and sharpen its accompanying pin. No experience necessary. 

    $85 ($70 tuition + $15 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Gaea Dill-D'Ascoli



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  • Build Your Own Forge

    • Tue, March 10, 2026
    • Tue, April 28, 2026
    • 8 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    Build a propane blacksmithing forge of your own to take home! In this introductory course, we will begin by learning the metal fabrication and welding techniques needed to build your own propane forge. This process will provide you with an intimate understanding of the equipment and how to safely operate and maintain it, inspiring the confidence to use it on your own. All supplies and materials needed to build your own forge are included.

    Please bring or wear the following personal protective equipment to class: safety glasses, head covering, long sleeves and long pants. Loose-fitting welding gloves are optional.

    Fee: $690 ($360 tuition + $330 materials)  |  8 weeks
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Jim Ricci

    Show details

  • Blacksmithing Project Shop: Bottle Openers for Beginners

    • Fri, March 13, 2026
    • 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register

    Build your blacksmith skills with a fun and useful project: making a bottle opener. They’re quick to make and can incorporate all basic blacksmithing processes in one compact project. We'll end class with a celebratory bottle-opening to try out your new tool - that means a beer or soda is included! No experience necessary.

    $100 ($75 tuition + $25 materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: John Hehre



    Show details

  • Blacksmithing Project Shop: Ram's Head Bottle Openers

    • Tue, March 24, 2026
    • Wed, March 25, 2026
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register

    Come welcome in the warm energy of Aries season by forging your own ram's head bottle opener! This two-day workshop channels in the fiery spirit of spring with forge, hammer, and anvil. You will learn fundamental blacksmithing techniques like tapering, texturing, and forming, while shaping a sculptural ram's head in steel. The finished piece is both functional and symbolic, celebrating endurance, renewal, and creative energy as the season shifts.

    We'll end class with a celebratory bottle-opening to try out your new tool - that means a beer or soda is included! No experience necessary.

    $115 ($90 tuition + $25 materials)
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Carly Marie Odegard



    Show details

  • Open Forge Time

    • Fri, March 27, 2026
    • 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8
    Register

    Open Forge Time is available to people who have taken (or are currently taking) a blacksmithing class at CAFAC.

    Let's fire up the forges and work on personal projects! This is a great opportunity to make tools or finish something you've been working on, with an instructor on hand to answer questions as needed. You'll provide your own metal and CAFAC will supply the tools, equipment, and shop consumables. 

    Experience is required. Please don't sign up if you haven't taken a blacksmithing class at CAFAC.

    $45
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Lee Meilleur


    Show details

CHICAGO AVENUE FIRE ARTS CENTER   3749 Chicago Avenue  |  Minneapolis, MN 55407  |  612-294-0400  |  info@cafac.org 

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