Blacksmithing Workshops

2021 Workshop Season Update:

Touchstone is pleased to be able to offer a modified 2021 workshop season. Based on best practices related to Covid-19, workshops will run at a reduced capacity, all multi-occupancy lodging has been converted to single-occupancy, and mask and social distancing protocols will be strictly enforced. Our updated cancellation policy* can be found​​

HERE and our Covid-19 Policies and Procedures* can be found​​ HERE *Subject to change.

2021 Workshop Schedule

These workshops are no longer open for enrollment.

JUN 21-25 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Forging FUNdamentals

Instructor: Andy Upright

Beginner-Intermediate
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$35-$65 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List​​

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

JUN 28-JUL 2 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Bladesmithing Fundamentals:
Hunting Knife

Instructor: Jordan LaMothe

All Levels
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$80-$110 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List​​

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

JUL 12-16 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Heat, Hammer, Repeat

Instructor: Greg Gehner

All Levels
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$85-$115 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List​​

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

JUL 18-23 | TEEN WEEK | 6-DAY (SUN-FRI)

Blacksmithing for Teens

Instructor: Anna Koplik

All Levels (Ages 14-17)
$615 Tuition
$75 Materials and Studio Fees
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Teen week is no longer open for enrollment.

JUL 26-30 | EDUCATORS’ RETREAT | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Forging Ahead

Instructor: Anna Koplik

All Levels
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$30-$60 Materials and Studio Fees
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This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

AUG 2-6 | NATURE WEEK | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Organic Designs in Metal

Instructor: Glenn Horr

All Levels
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$55-$85 Materials and Studio Fees
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This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

AUG 9-13 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Ornamental Hacksaw Frame

Instructor: Tom Latané

Intermediate to Advanced  
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$40-$70 Materials and Studio Fees
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This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

AUG 16-20 | 5-DAY (MON-FRI)

Utensil Forging

Instructor: Nathanael Weiss

All Levels
$585 Member | $615 Non-Member
$45-$75 Materials and Studio Fees
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This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

AUG 28-30 | 3-DAY (SAT-MON)

Animal Heads and the
Tools to Create Them

Instructor: Randy McDaniel

Experienced Beginner – Advanced  
$410 Member | $440 Non-Member
$45-$75 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

Learn about the tools required for forging animal heads and faces and how to make your own tools using easily available, inexpensive scrap steels. Use those tools to create a variety of heads and faces in hot steel. Even those who say they are not creative will soon learn otherwise! You will leave with a variety of tools and samples plus the understanding and skills to create many more.     

Randy, the author of A Blacksmithing Primer and more recently Hydraulic Forging Press for the Blacksmith, has been forging hot metal for over forty-five years. He has taught basic and advanced workshops for more than 40 years at many of the top colleges and schools as well as blacksmithing groups nationwide.  Randy was also a lecturer and demonstrator for ABANA’s International Conference at Alfred, New York in 1990, at LaCrosse, Wisconsin in 2002, and the upcoming 2020 conference in Saratoga, NY.

Instagram: @drgnfly4g

SEP 4-5 | 2-DAY (SAT-SUN)

Beginner Bladesmithing:
Forging an Iron Age Knife

Instructor: Jared Ondovchik

All Levels
$300 Member | $330 Non-Member
$50-$80 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List​​

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

Forge your own Iron Age Knife while learning the skills of a bladesmith. No prior experience is necessary as Jared will guide you through the process step by step. Over two days you will learn hammer techniques, basic tool terminology, and the fundamentals of heat-treating a carbon steel knife. At the end of the workshop you will leave with your own hand-forged knife.

Jared is a blacksmith and bladesmith from Pittsburgh, PA. He is the owner and operator of Artifact Metalworks LLC and his blades are sought after by collectors around the country. Jared has been instructing bladesmithing workshops at Touchstone for several years.

Instructor website: artifact-metalworks.com
Instagram: @artifactmetalworks

SEP 11-13 | 3-DAY (SAT-MON)

Raising, Japanese Style

Instructor: Glen Gardner

All Levels
$410 Member | $440 Non-Member
$45-$75 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

The Japanese method of raising metals is known as Tsuiki (sue-e-kee). While similar to Western techniques used to form flat sheets into vessel forms, the tools, ergonomics and process of Tsuiki is distinctly different. The process is both bold and direct, and hollow forms can evolve rapidly once the basics are learned. In this hands-on workshop, you will be introduced to the basic tools and methods of the Tsuiki process with the intention of producing a copper bowl or cup.

Practicing artist/metalsmith with a career spanning over 45 years. Glen now maintains a studio in Pittsburgh, Pa. where he continues to explore the infinite possibilities of working directly with metals. Since beginning his professional career at Peters Valley in 1972 he has also enjoyed teaching in workshop settings including those at: Penland, John C. Campbell Folk School, Arrowmont School of Arts &Crafts, Pittsburgh Center for the Arts, the Society of Contemporary Craft (Pgh), and Touchstone Center for Crafts.

Instagram: @glen.s.g

SEP 18-19 | 2-DAY (SAT-SUN)

Kitchen Tools

Instructor: Dan Neville

All Levels
$300 Member | $330 Non-Member
$35-$65 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

Build your skills with this excellent opportunity to learn a broad range of metalworking techniques and to leave with something that will last a lifetime. During this workshop you will create functional kitchenware objects through forging and fabrication techniques. Learn hand forging and power hammer processes to help with tapering and isolating material. Planishing, layout, and cold connections will also be covered.

Dan received his BFA in metalsmithing from Wayne State University in Michigan and recently his MFA in metalsmithing at Southern Illinois University. Dan has taught at numerous schools and universities including the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and Austin Community College in Texas. Dan has exhibited his work extensively at venues such as the Metal Museum in Tennessee, the Evansville Museum in Indiana, and the Tsubame Industrial Materials Museum in Japan. Dan has been awarded several research grants through the Windgate Foundation and and other organizations. Dan is currently the Associate Director of the Center for Metal Arts.

Instructor website: nevilleforge.com
Instagram: @nevilleforge

SEP 25-27 | 3-DAY (SAT-MON)

Organic Blacksmithing

Instructor: Nick Ireys

All Levels
$410 Member | $440 Non-Member
$45-$75 Materials and Studio Fees
Download Materials List

This workshop is no longer open for enrollment.

Blacksmithing is the best metal working discipline to create organic shapes. Learn to form metal using heat and force to create natural elements. Whether you focus on ornamentation for a functional object or a sculpture that mimics nature, this class with give you the space to experiment with your forging skills and develop new ones. Learn how to take a basic piece of steel and give it life – transforming it into an organic shape completely different then when it started. Depending on skill level, you will have the chance to make your own unique project or select from several sample projects provided.   

Nick is a metal sculptor working in Baltimore, MD who uses a unique style of combining metal and glass to create organic objects both sculptural and functional. He has extensive journeyman experience traveling and working around America and Europe. Nick received a BFA in sculpture from Virginia Commonwealth University and a MFA from Southern Illinois University. He has taught at University of Gothenborg, Estonian Academy of Art and Southern Illinois University as well as participate in shows such as the American Crafts Council show, The Philadelphia Museum Craft show, Craftforms, and Niche Awards.   

Instructor website: nimetaldesign.net
Instagram: @nimetaldesign

Workshops are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. Many fill quickly. Please register at least 15 days ahead of the start of any workshop so that we can count you in! Touchstone makes the determination of whether a workshop will run 14 days in advance of all workshops’ scheduled start date, primarily based on the number of participants registered at that time. 

A processing fee of $15 will be added to 1-5 day workshops.

Nonrefundable COVID-19 Fee: A $10 (1- & 2-day workshops), $15 (3-day workshops), and $20 (5-day workshops) COVID-19 fee will be charged per participant, per workshop during the 2021 season to help offset the extraordinary additional and increased expenses to Touchstone for cleaning, sanitizing, PPE, disposables, and other costs directly related to ensuring health, safety, and social distancing requirements as outlined by the World Health Organization and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. This fee is nonrefundable.

To view a full listing of the Terms and Conditions as part of your enrollment, download the 2021 Student Guide.

Touchstone Center for Crafts prohibits discrimination in employment, educational programs, and activities on the basis of race, national origin, color, creed, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or association preference. Touchstone Center for Crafts also affirms its commitment to providing equal opportunities and equal access to its facilities and programming.