Upcoming classes

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• Blacksmithing Basics 1 (TUE EVE)

  • Start
    Tue, October 01, 2024
  •  
  • End
    Tue, November 19, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

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  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.

  $365 ($310 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 Basics 1 (WED EVE)

  • Start
    Wed, October 09, 2024
  •  
  • End
    Wed, November 27, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    8 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    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.

  $365 ($310 tuition + $55 materials)  |  8 weeks
  Open to ages 16 and up.

  Instructor: Dan Osadchuk
  

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• Blacksmithing Basics 2

  • Start
    Sun, October 20, 2024
  •  
  • End
    Sun, November 24, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    6 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    4

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  For blacksmiths with experience, this class is aimed at continuing to develop your knowledge and skills. The approach will be less structured than Blacksmithing Basics 1 and more focused on your individual projects and exploration. You'll be able to take on new forging challenges including slitting, punching, and drifting as a lead in to forged joinery, along with variations on twists that require slitting and multiple passes. You'll practice drawing and tapering multiple splits in wider bar by making leaves. You'll leave this class able to design projects that combine multiple elements either in a single piece or multiple parts. Coming with a few design ideas will help you focus on skill development.

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

  $280 ($235 tuition + $45 materials)  |  6 weeks
  

  Open to ages 16 and up. 

  Instructor: Jim Ricci

  
  

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• Forged Wearables: Jewelry-Scale Blacksmithing

  • Start
    Sun, October 20, 2024
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  • End
    Sun, November 17, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    5 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    1

  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, including pendants and earrings. You can expect to create at least of three steel 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. *Some* blacksmithing experience is recommended, but we can accommodate beginners.

  $230 ($195 tuition + $35 materials)
  Open to ages 16 and up.

  Instructor: Pete Gierzynski 

  
  

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• Blacksmithing Project Shop: Kitchen Utensil Set

  • Start
    Fri, November 08, 2024
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  • End
    Fri, November 22, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    1

  Register

  Combine your love of food and forging in this introductory blacksmithing workshop! You'll learn and practice basic blacksmithing processes while making a spatula, a serving spoon, and a fork for all your cooking, grilling, or serving needs. We'll start by covering safety in the smithy and then move on to manipulating metal with heat and hammer. You'll build fundamental forging skills including drawing out, tapering, punching, and riveting. No experience necessary.

  $150 ($115 tuition + $235 materials)
  Open to ages 18 and up.

  Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk

  
  

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• Blacksmithing Project Shop: Pizza Rocker

  • When
    Sat, November 23, 2024
  •  
    10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Combine your love of food with forging in this introductory blacksmithing workshop! You'll learn and practice basic blacksmithing processes while making a pizzeria-style curved pizza rocker with two handles, ideal for your pizza slicing needs. We'll start by covering safety in the smithy and then move on to manipulating metal with heat and hammer. Your pizza rocker will include twists, bends, and an edge bevel. At the end of class, we'll order a couple pizzas from Jakeeno's and you can try out your new rocker! 

  Open to beginners, but this is a project that requires a significant amount of heavy hammering, so you'll be more successful if you have some blacksmithing experience.

  $115 ($85 tuition + $35 materials & pizza!)
  Open to ages 16 and up.

  Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk

  
  

  
  

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• Blacksmithing Project Shop: Bottle Openers for Beginners

  • When
    Sun, December 01, 2024
  •  
    1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    3

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  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. 

  $90 ($65 tuition + $25 materials)
  Open to ages 16 and up.

  Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk

  
  

  
  

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• Blacksmithing Project Shop: Charcuterie Set

  • Start
    Wed, December 04, 2024
  •  
  • End
    Wed, December 18, 2024
  •  
  • Schedule
    3 sessions
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

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  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.

  $150 ($115 tuition + $35 materials)
  Open to ages 18 and up.

  Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk

  
  

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• Build Your Own Forge (TBD)

  • When
    Tue, December 31, 2024
  • Location
    3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
  • Spaces left
    0

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  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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