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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.

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

Upcoming classes

    • Tue, April 02, 2024
    • Tue, May 21, 2024
    • 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.

    $365 ($310 tuition + $55 materials)  |  8 weeks
    Open to ages 18 and up, or 17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

    Instructor: Becca Cerra

    • Tue, April 02, 2024
    • Tue, May 21, 2024
    • 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.

    $365 ($310 tuition + $55 materials)  |  8 weeks
    Open to ages 18 and up, or 17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

    Instructor: Becca Cerra

    • Wed, April 03, 2024
    • Wed, May 22, 2024
    • 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.

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

    Instructor: Dan Osadchuk

    • Thu, April 04, 2024
    • Thu, May 02, 2024
    • 5 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 2
    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 


    • Fri, April 05, 2024
    • Sun, April 07, 2024
    • 3 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    Join us in the CAFAC smithy as we welcome Elizabeth Belz of Black Widow Forge for an intensive weekend workshop! 

    In this workshop, you'll explore and practice both blacksmithing and metal fabrication tools and techniques to create a sculpture from steel for your home or garden.  Elizabeth will cover a range of techniques that you can use to complete your project including basic forging, cutting, welding, riveting, and drilling. She'll also emphasize design and finishing processes. You'll focus on your individual project that can be accomplished within the three-day time frame;  come with an idea in mind or let inspiration strike! The workshop is open to all levels of experience, from absolute beginners to experienced blacksmiths looking to learn from a master artisan. 

    $550  |  3-day intensive
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Visiting Instructor: Elizabeth Belz is a blacksmith, educator,  and the owner of Black Widow Forge. She is currently the Blacksmithing and Metals Coordinator at John C. Campbell Folk School in North Carolina and was previously the blacksmithing apprentice at the Metal Museum in Memphis where she trained under master smith Jim Masterson. Elizabeth was also craft education intern at North House Folk School in Grand Marais, MN, a resident artist with the Science Museum of MN, and a Creative Catalyst fellow. She has shown her work, competed, and taught blacksmithing throughout the U.S. and internationally and has most recently finished up a year long artist residency at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Elizabeth sits on the board of the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths, an international nonprofit committed to building equity and diversity in the field of blacksmithing.



    • Sat, April 06, 2024
    • Sat, April 27, 2024
    • 4 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 3
    Register

    In this intro to bending workshop, you'll learn how to harness the heat of the flame to create intricate and complex bends and shapes. You'll learn and practice techniques using an oxy-acetylene torch and blacksmithing forge. By pairing these two tools, you'll create a tabletop sculpture that bends and wraps around itself and stands on its own without any welding necessary.  Leave this class a master at making squiggles! Materials for practice are provided and you are welcome to create your personal project using our scrap or you can purchase your own metal stock.

    No prior experience is necessary though some blacksmithing and/or oxy-acetylene knowledge is a plus.

    $175 ($155 tuition + $20 materials)  |  4 weeks
    Open to ages 18 and up, or 17 with a parent/guardian in attendance.

    Instructor: Becca Cerra

    • Sun, April 14, 2024
    • Sun, June 09, 2024
    • 8 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 1
    Register

    Are you ready to take blacksmithing and kick it up a notch? Building on Blacksmithing Basics 1, this course continues to develop your knowledge and skill sets. We will start with a review of learned skills and quickly move on to new challenges including slitting, punching and drifting as 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.

    Prerequisite: Blacksmithing Basics 1 or equivalent experience/permission from instructor.

    $365 ($310 tuition + $55 materials)  |  8 weeks

    Open to ages 16 and up. 

    Instructor: Brad Buxton


    • Sun, April 28, 2024
    • 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. 

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


    Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk



    • Sun, May 05, 2024
    • 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 0
    Join waitlist

    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. No experience necessary.

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

    Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk



    • Thu, May 23, 2024
    • Thu, July 18, 2024
    • 8 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8

    Join us for a 8-week dive into the basics of blacksmithing at Dodge Nature Center's new smithy at Shepard Farm! CAFAC is thrilled to announce a new partnership that will extend opportunities to learn blacksmithing in the metro area.



    Register here through Dodge Nature Center. (Please note: classes at Dodge are not eligible for CAFAC scholarship awards.)

    Questions? Get in touch with us at info@cafac.org.

    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 a coal forge, 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, drifting, punching, twisting, and setting shoulders. You'll develop those skills through projects such as: quick tongs, scribe/center punch, round punch/drift, basic heat treating, hooks, multi hook rack, trivet… and you'll know what a clinker is!

    $400 (includes all materials and supplies)  |  8 sessions 
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    Instructor: Dan Osadchuk's earliest memory is of stumbling into his grandfather’s blacksmith shop when he was two years old and becoming so mesmerized that his father had to drag him out kicking and screaming. His fascination with metalworking continued through high school, where he became the shop teacher’s assistant, and into his first job out of technical college in the largest machine shop in St. Paul. He started building his blacksmithing practice 25 years ago and is a member of the Guild of Metalsmiths through which he’s taught various blacksmithing classes.

    • Fri, May 31, 2024
    • Fri, June 07, 2024
    • 2 sessions
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 4
    Register

    Combine your love of food and forging in this introductory blacksmithing workshop! You'll learn and practice basic blacksmithing processes while making a BBQ spatula and fork for all your grilling 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. If time allows, you'll also be able to make a skewer to add to your BBQ tool kit. No experience necessary.


    $105 ($80 tuition + $25 materials)
    Open to ages 18 and up.

    Instructor: Sergey Vaynshenk



    • Sat, June 15, 2024
    • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 3
    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. 

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

    Instructor: Gaea Dill-D'Ascoli



    • Sat, June 22, 2024
    • 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8

    Join us for a one-day intro to the basics of blacksmithing at Dodge Nature Center's new smithy at Shepard Farm! CAFAC is thrilled to announce a new partnership that will extend opportunities to learn blacksmithing in the metro area.



    Register here through Dodge Nature Center.

    Questions? Get in touch with us at info@cafac.org.

    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. You'll gain basic knowledge of iron and its characteristics and an understanding of the dynamics of forging using a coal forge. 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. 

    $95 (includes all supplies and materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    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.”





    • Wed, June 26, 2024
    • 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • 3749 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN
    • 8

    Join us for a short intro to the basics of blacksmithing at Dodge Nature Center's new smithy at Shepard Farm! CAFAC is thrilled to announce a new partnership that will extend opportunities to learn blacksmithing in the metro area.

    Register here through Dodge Nature Center.

    Questions? Get in touch with us at info@cafac.org.

    Grab a friend, partner, spouse, or kid (16 or older) and join us at Shepard Farm's rustic blacksmith shop! In this short workshop, we'll use traditional methods with fire and hammer to shape red hot iron into interesting objects that will bring out your personal creativity. Project options will include simple items like skewers, roasting forks, cheese cutters, or decorative knots. Your dynamic duo will leave with unique pieces forged by your very own hands!

    $145 per pair (includes all supplies and materials)
    Open to ages 16 and up.

    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.”





    • Tue, December 31, 2024
    • 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.”

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

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