Latest News

Hammer Making from Scrap Steel with Stephen McGehee (August 31st-September 2nd)

Man in blacksmith shop making a hammer — Stephen McGhee at the forge

This is a new intermediate level class for the CCAC held at the Summit Blacksmithing Studio. The hammer is a fundamental tool for a blacksmith. Historically journeymen would show their knowledge and skill by making a hammer. In this intermediate level blacksmithing class, students will learn how to identify scrap steel with spark testing. Also, layout, punching and shaping of a hammer of their chosen style, as well as finishing, heat treating and putting a handle on the completed hammer. Students will take home a completed hammer of their own making.

Classes Scheduled:

Friday August 31 through Sunday September 2nd 2024

Class fee: $350 (includes materials and expertise to make your own forging hammer)

Friday afternoon/evening:

Students have the option to meet at the Summit Campground and discuss ideas about the class, projects, & their experience.

Saturday:

9 am class will start for a full day of blacksmithing

Sunday:

Students have the option to come and finish any details they didn’t get done on Saturday.

Student experience level: Intermediate

Number of students: 4 – 6 max

More information and Register HERE!

Hand-forging Coin Silver for Cascadian Design with Silversmiths Jack & Jeannette Burton

Classes:

Saturday, May 25th & Sunday, May 26th, 2024

Hand-forging Coin Silver for Cascadian Design Earrings with Silversmiths Jack & Janette Burton

** Please email info@cascadiaart.org if you’d like to see this class return to our schedule again this Summer 2024.

Join us for an eight-hour demonstration and hands-on, two-day class. Divided into two, four-hour parts, we will teach the history and basic techniques of creating Cascadia Style personal adornment. Students will cold-forge antique U.S. silver coins without the use of power tools on a simple tabletop workspace. Jack and Janette bring 50 years of uniquely American Jewelry making, craft, and tradition to the classroom. As an early member of The Portland Saturday Market Jack created his work not only in his Portland studio but internationally at fairs and in the marketplace during his many travels.

Day One:

10 am to 2 pm with a 20-minute snack & chat break. Introduction to the history, tools, and technique with hands-on coin forging, annealing, design, and layout.

Day Two:

10 am to 2 pm with a 20-minute snack & chat break. Jack & Janette will guide and assist each student with design-execution, metal forming, plenishing, chasing, filing, toning, and finishing. Student will take home a pair of earrings from disks they have forged from silver dimes and fashion their own ear wires from sterling silver.

Student experience level: Beginning-Intermediate

Minimum number of students: 4 – 8 max

Cost $275 includes – Your own handmade pair of Cascadia Design earrings and a student practice and polishing kit to continue your jewelry adventures at home! For more images of the work these talented artists create, go to their Instagram.

Intermediate Blacksmithing – Forging a Dragon’s Head (September 8th, 2024)

Registration for Classes is open-see links below

Intermediate Blacksmithing – Forging a Dragon’s Head

Class fee is $200

September 8, 2024, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm REGISTER for this class

Broaden your blacksmithing skills with Joe Vachon (joetheblacksmith.com), a Self employed blacksmith and bladesmith since 2007 and the Season 6, Episode 27, Forged in Fire Champion, in this 1 day, hands on course.

You will learn how to make the punches and chisels needed to sculp a dragon’s head on the end of a bar of steel; learn how to pre-form the head by hammer and anvil, chisel out the beard, ears, mouth and teeth; punch the eyes and nostrils; and form additional details that will bring it -and new possibilities in your work- to life.

***It is recommended that you are somewhat proficient with the craft to get the most out of this class. Taking a beginner class prior should adequate.***

Note about safety – Wear cotton pants and shirt (synthetics are potentially flammable). Make sure your pants fit over the tops of your closed toe shoes or boots so nothing hot can fall in. Safety glasses and ear plugs are available, or bring your own. Bringing your own leather gloves is a good idea. Bring a water bottle to stay hydrated.

Beginner Bladesmithing – Forging Knives to Shape (September 7, 2024)

Registration for Classes below

Beginner Bladesmithing – Forging Knives to Shape

Class fee is $200

September 7, 2024 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm REGISTER HERE

Forge your own knife with simple tools with Joe Vachon (joetheblacksmith.com), a self employed blacksmith and bladesmith since 2007, and Season 6, Episode 27, Forged in Fire Champion, in this 1 day, hands on course.

In this class we will be exploring the rudimentary hammer techniques used, step by step, to forge a knife blade to shape from scrap steels with very little use of a grinder. This class is centered around the clever techniques of ancient smiths melded with the minimal help of modern tools. Research the “Neo-Tribal Bladesmithing” movement and “Tai Goo” for more info on this philosophy and methodology.

You can expect to learn how to forge a point on the end of a bar, flatten your blade to its final thickness with a distal taper, create a counter-bend, forge your bevels, shape an all-steel handle, clean up your work with a file and/or small grinder, heat treat by eye, and sharpen on a stone.

We will be start by using mild steel for a practice knife, then move up to high carbon steel to help your progression as a novice smith. We will also inevitably be discussing and demonstrating what goes into proper heat treating and learn about various types of blade geometry and their applications.