Intro to Blacksmithing: Campfire Forks with Eleanor Davidson

3-Hour Workshop

Date: Thursday, November 19th

Time: 6pm- 9pm

Description: Participants will learn basic blacksmithing techniques including chiseling, tapering, flattening, and twisting to create a 20" long camping fork, great for roasting hot dogs or marshmallows over a fire. Beginner friendly and open to all skill levels! This class will involve hot metal, fire, and repetitive swinging of a hammer, it will be somewhat physically demanding so slight stamina is required. You'll leave this class with a finished campfire fork of your very own!

Tuition: $80+ $30 materials fee

Materials: All materials will be provided.

Students should wear natural fibers such as cotton and denim. Uncuffed pants and closed-toe shoes are required (no shorts or sandals permitted). Long hair should be restrained. Safety glasses and hearing protection are provided; however, participants may bring their own if preferred. We recommend bringing a water bottle to stay hydrated. This workshop is in an open air studio, bring a coat to keep warm before the forges get fired up!

Location: Contemporary Craft - Timmons Studios, Blacksmithing Studio (5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201)

Cancellations and Refunds: Workshop cancellations are decided three business days before the start date. If workshops must be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire class fee will be refunded through Eventbrite, or you may leave your workshop fee in your Contemporary Craft account for future workshops.

Refund Policy: Student refund requests must be made at least three business days before a class begins. There will be a $25 cancellation fee. We are unable to refund materials cost for this workshop. No refunds will be given without three-business days notice. Processing of refunds takes approximately three weeks.

About the Artist

Eleanor Davidson is an artist, fabricator, and educator hailing from Kentucky and currently based in Pittsburgh, PA. Her work honors traditional craft techniques and industrial processes, primarily through metal casting, blacksmithing, and quilting. Prior to landing in Pittsburgh, Davidson was a longtime beginner blacksmithing instructor with the Kentucky Forge Council and Appalachian Area Chapter of Blacksmiths, and a featured demonstrator with the Kentucky Folklife Program. She holds a BFA in Sculpture from Western Kentucky University.