An great opportunity to try your hand at blacksmithing, produce great Christmas gifts and maybe munch on a few roasted chestnuts too! Blacksmith/sculptor Adrian Wood brings mobile forges and you will go home with several creations from your day. Places on this workshop are limited.
– Understand the properties of the metals you will be forging
– Handle the tools and equipment correctly
– Learn how to work safely with fire and hot metal
– Create a number of different sized items with your own hands… Santa key ring, decorative door hooks, chestnut roaster or a toasting fork.
Please note that the day is fairly strenuous and if you have any fitness or health issues please let us know.
What to expect
Time at ArtisOn is designed to take you away from it all. We provide the environment, the time and the guidance you need to create. You can expect a warm welcome, skilled and friendly tutors and the chance to meet like-minded people keen to share ideas. You can even leave us to clear up the mess! There will usually be two workshops going on and we encourage everyone to mingle and be nosey about what the other workshop is up to.
We encourage you to arrive at 9.30am. This will allow time to meet other participants over a cup of tea or coffee and biscuits before beginning workshops at 10am. There will be a mid-morning break for refreshments and a chance to talk over progress with others. Lunch is usually around 12:45 for about 45 mins – you can expect a delicious homemade 2 course lunch. There will be a further afternoon break with tea or coffee and cake. All food and refreshments are included in the price of your workshop.
The finish time given is a target. There are occasions when the session may overrun so do let us know if you need to be away promptly.
We aim for your day to be a real treat. You could always learn a new skill in a shed or a draughty village hall with a curly sandwich, but we want you to have more fun than that! So we make sure we provide a day where you will be looked after, with good food, good company and great inspiration!
What you’ll need to bring with you
Make sure you wear robust clothing - jeans or thick trousers, stout shoes etc. Especially avoid synthetic fabrics on clothing and shoes.
We will be working outside under a fabric gazebo so although we have shelter, if you think the weather looks cold or wet please make sure you wear layers (although you'll be working hard over a hot forge of course!). Working a forge means you will get very grubby! It would be a good idea to bring a hat too.
Everything else you need will be provided.