one-day course

blacksmithing: beginners

location: nr Penrith, Cumbria

Take artisitc blacksmith Adrian Wood, and Bill (his Dad), a long wheel base van from Cleveland equipped with 3 portable blacksmithing furnaces, six anvils and many tools. Enter six potential arty blacksmiths c/w enthusiasm and you have the ingredients for an inspiring and creative blacksmithing day.

Adrian & Bill arrive early with all the kit  and set up in good time - the furnaces have to be hot enough to use at the start of the class. During the welcome coffee Adrian will show some of his work and explain to the group what they might expect to make during the day. After a safety talk and with furnaces ready Adrian goes through the basic principles, the colours of hot metals, its malleability, temperatures and the important of getting just the right temperature for the right task. Starting with creating a point on the piece of metal, they will move onto curves, bends and scrolls, punching, spreading and splitting. Participants will make first a hook and then a keyring.

After lunch people become more relaxed, adept and ambitious.  A selection of a large hook and staple, a huge toasting fork (in preparation for a long warm evening of crumpet munching) or a large dragon bracket or scrolled hook can be made. People should go away at the end of the day with about 3 items they have made.

The cost of materials is included on all courses.

dates: see 'book online' below

more on blacksmithing

the venue is a cafe on a coast-to-coast cycle path near Penrith, close to Ullswater and the northern fells of the Lake District