This basic class will give you the foundation needed to start out on your journey of blacksmithing. You'll learn fire management, hammering methods, drawing out, upsetting, cutting, splitting, twisting, and convenience bending along with a demo of forge welding. Make punches and chisels and learn to harden and temper them. Heating material and heat management will be taught and much more.
Interested in blacksmithing but unsure how to start? Open Forge Night is the place for you! Every third Wednesday of the month during our blacksmithing season, come see demonstrations by expert blacksmith Steve Gurzler. Observing the demonstration is free and open to the public. If you want to try your hand at blacksmithing there is a $20 fee to cover the cost of materials. Safety precautions must be followed - including hard shoes with no open toes, long pants, goggles (supplied) and gloves (supplied).
The student will hand forge a small Viking Knife, also called a blacksmith knife. The knife is a one piece, all metal design with an integral handel. The clade will be heat treated, ground and sharpened in class. This one-day class will cover the basic theory and practice of knife making and is a good introduction for the beginner.
This course will introduce students to the traditional craft of chip carving - a type of woodcarving in which a small knife is used to incise decorative floral and geometric designs into basswood or butternut. The design is created by the removal of small pieces (chips) of the wood. Chip carving is an ancient, traditional craft. Chip carved plates, jewelry and keepsake boxes, trays, breadboards, furniture and other items can make wonderful gifts and also decorate the home with traditional motifs. Some previous carving experience is helpful, but not necessary. Students will learn to carve a variety of practice designs already drawn on a board and may complete a round ornament as well.
This copper ornament class will allow you to make your choice of 2 of the 3 items advertised. The process will have you cutting out the pieces, forming and texturing on an anvil. You will also be using a small torch as part of the texturing process, and soldering. The maple leaf ornament will have a "glass drop" soldered into the center. The mushroom can be used to hold your jewelry, earrings, and rings. The cap can be lifted off to slide rings on the stem. The stem is epoxied to a piece of bluestone serving as the base. The fern is a wall ornament that can be hung or laid in a windowsill. The fern is 10 inches tall, the maple leaf is 5 inches by 5 inches and the mushroom is 5 inches tall.
Take your next hike or walk around the corner with a unique hand-crafted walking stick. Frank will guide you through the process of taking a piece of ironwood and transforming it into a walking stick that will last a lifetime. The inlaid compass will help ensure you don't lose your way on the trail! Makes a wonderful gift for the hikers in your life!
Always a popular class, Create Your Own Roasting Fork is geared towards the novice blacksmith. Blacksmith Steve Gurzler will teach basic blacksmithing skills while the students work to create a roasting fork for marshmallows or maybe even bratwurst. Bring something to roast at the end of the day with your finished product!
This course will introduce students to the traditional craft of chip carving - a type of woodcarving in which a small knife is used to incise decorative floral and geometric designs into basswood or butternut. The design is created by the removal of small pieces (chips) of the wood. Chip carving is an ancient, traditional craft. Chip carved plates, jewelry and keepsake boxes, trays, breadboards, furniture and other items can make wonderful gifts and also decorate the home with traditional motifs. Some previous carving experience is helpful, but not necessary. Students will learn to carve a variety of practice designs already drawn on a board and may complete a round ornament as well.
The goal of this class is to help you get started in fly fishing or better your casting. We will go over different types of fly rods and when to use them. The proper way of lining a fly rod will be taught. You will be doing the over hand cast, roll cast and side arm cast, for a few examples. You will need to bring a hat and a pair of glasses or sunglasses. If you have a fly rod please bring it, otherwise one will be provided. To end, students will get a chance to try different fly rods.
Calling all fiber artists! Do you have a project you're in the middle of? Want some company while you work? Sounds like AFS Sewing Circle is the place for you! Quilters, knitters, and fiber artists alike are welcome to join us every month for an afternoon of quilting and camaraderie. Bring your works in progress, and enjoy sharing your experience and the company of your fellow quilters. Pre-registration is not required. All are welcome!
Bluegrass banjo is the familiar sound that drove such favorites as the Beverly Hillbillies Theme Song, Rocky Top and Foggy Mountain Breakdown. In this class you will learn enough about the banjo so that you can use a variety of available instructional aids from your home and progress with learning Bluegrass banjo at your own pace. You will be exposed to the basics of playing 5-string Bluegrass banjo, including tunings, left hand chord shapes, right hand rolls, vamping, hammer-ons, pull-offs, chokes, chimes and how to read tablatures. We'll also look at online sites about banjo practice and instruction. Bring a playable 5-string banjo, two metal finger picks and a thumb pick. Although there will be several handouts, an audio recorder is a good idea.
In this class students will forge a rose that will not wither using precut steel blanks. The project will include forging details and torch work with scrolling tongs to create a custom rose.
