Instructor - Jim Maness Assistant Instructor - Thomas Dresser Overall Course Fee: $350 Description - Description - In this extended 4-day version of BS-101, students will learn blacksmithing safety, setting up of their own shop, evaluating equipment, an overview of forge welding, an overview of working with high carbon and tool steels, finishes and […]
This fast-paced introduction to smithing moves you through the fundamentals: basic hammer skills, heat treating, forge welding, and identification of “found” steels. By the end of the second day students will be turned loose to make interesting forged pieces with the support and collaboration of a blacksmith with 30 years of experience. Safety, tools, techniques, […]
Instructor - JIM CRUSSE Assistant Instructor - ROBERT USELLER Overall Course Fee: $200 Description - BS101 Beginner Blacksmithing is a 2 day weekend course designed to teach the basics of blacksmithing. From forge and fire control to hammer control you will learn to forge a fish tail scroll, pig tail scroll, tab hook, drive hook, […]
Instructor - JIM MANESS Assistant Instructor - BOB BAUGHER Overall Course Fee: $200 Description - BS101 Beginner Blacksmithing is a 2-day weekend course designed to teach the basics of blacksmithing. From forge and fire control to hammer control you will learn to forge a fish tail scroll, pig tail scroll, tab hook, drive hook, forge […]
In this four month carpentry program, you will learn carpentry, building, and infrastructure development skills over time, and with mentorship. Work with the Wild Abundance crew to prepare sites, work on building buildings, repair existing structures and systems, and generally tend to the physical-world tasks of the campus…and have fun doing it. Our hands-on carpentry […]
This fast-paced introduction to smithing moves you through the fundamentals: basic hammer skills, heat treating, forge welding, and identification of “found” steels. By the end of the second day students will be turned loose to make interesting forged pieces with the support and collaboration of a blacksmith with 30 years of experience. Safety, tools, techniques, […]
March 24th- April 12, 2025 This course combines the core of our previous timber framing, homebuilding, and apprenticeship curriculums into one package for those seeking a career in timber framing or a deeper understanding of the skills needed to build their own timber frame. It's ideal for those who seek more opportunities for development than […]
This fast-paced introduction to smithing moves you through the fundamentals: basic hammer skills, heat treating, forge welding, and identification of “found” steels. By the end of the second day students will be turned loose to make interesting forged pieces with the support and collaboration of a blacksmith with 30 years of experience. Safety, tools, techniques, […]
Join us for an in-depth, hands-on timber frame workshop in which you’ll raise a beautiful timber framed structure from scratch as part of a team. Timber framing has been used for centuries to build beautiful, durable structures that stand the test of time and don’t require any screws or nails to hold them together. This […]
"Lighting the Fire" with Lucas Damen Class runs: June 10-13 Tuition: $600 Material fee: $50 Skill level: Beginner and up In this four day class we will be covering all the basics for the beginner blacksmith. From tool introductions and ergonomics to hands on forging techniques and the process of planning and executing several small […]
July 7 - 26, 2025 This course combines the core of our previous timber framing, homebuilding, and apprenticeship curriculums into one package for those seeking a career in timber framing or a deeper understanding of the skills needed to build their own timber frame. It's ideal for those who seek more opportunities for development than […]
Kickstart your career in dry stone masonry with our expert-led course. Gain hands-on experience and industry-relevant skills in stone shaping, cutting, and construction. Build your future, one stone at a time! PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS AND ENTHUSIASTS: NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NECESSARY HANDS-ON TRAINING: GAIN SKILLS IN BOTH HISTORIC AND MODERN STONE CONSTRUCTION LEARN FROM AN […]
In this four month carpentry program, you will learn carpentry, building, and infrastructure development skills over time, and with mentorship. Work with the Wild Abundance crew to prepare sites, work on building buildings, repair existing structures and systems, and generally tend to the physical-world tasks of the campus…and have fun doing it. Our hands-on carpentry […]
Class runs: July 22-25 Tuition: $550 Material Fee: $50 Skill Level: Seasoned beginner and up or previous NESM beginners course This course is designed for someone who has completed a beginner level course and ready to continue in the blacksmith's craft. The course will be structured around several sound fundamentals of practicing the blacksmith's craft; […]
Class runs: August 5-8 Tuition: $550 Material fee: $50 Skill level: Beginner and up The goal of this class is familiarize the student with the tools and techniques that are employed by the blacksmith. We will start with a tour of the shop and discuss the tools and their uses, including coal and gas […]
Course runs: September 16-19 Tuition: $550 Material fee: $50 Skill level: Seasoned Beginner and up, ideally having had Beginner and Level 2 OR Equivalent! This course is designed for someone who has completed both a beginner level course as well as the Blacksmithing Level 2 and can’t get enough of the blacksmith's craft. If you […]
Learn the basics of masonry heater construction with a combination of classroom learning and hands-on building. Masonry heaters are efficient wood-burning stoves for home heating, distinguished by their substantial mass when compared to a woodstove, which allows for rapid burning of a large wood load combined with a slow release of the resultant heat. The […]
Join us for this hands-on, one-day workshop designed to equip professionals and enthusiasts with the skills and knowledge needed to preserve the beauty and integrity of historic homes through proper paint systems and techniques. Led by Scott Sidler, a third-generation painter and preservation expert, this course offers a detailed overview of historic paint systems, effective […]
A Guide to Understanding, Documenting, and Repairing Historic Timber Framed Buildings Beginning with a brief history of the craft of timber framing and an understanding of historic joinery and traditional layout systems, participants will learn methods for documenting and dating historic structures with both traditional methods and high-tech gadgetry. The course will address the evolution […]
Go beyond learning to use tools and get into constructing buildings with our Women’s Advanced Carpentry! Over the course of five days, we’ll work as a team to build a simple, functional, and pleasing shed—starting by crafting a solid wood-framed floor and ending with securing roof sheathing or purlins and metal to our rafters. At […]
This two-day class builds on skills learned in Blacksmithing I. Students will work through several hands-on projects, improving their manual skills and expanding their techniques. Helpful coaching speeds the learning progress. Students are welcome to bring their own idea and projects to work on! Click here to learn more about this class, the location, […]
Learn the basics of furniture making and shop tools. This entry-level course is intended for the beginning woodworker. You'll be introduced to the how’s and why’s of woodworking, the use of hand tools, and the safe operation of shop equipment. Demonstrations and discussions will supplement hands-on learning as you each build your own one-drawer end […]
Designed for students who have taken Blacksmithing I & II, this two-day class teaches new skills such as forge brazing and ornate punch & chisel work. Supervised time in the shop with a myriad of tools will provide students the space to create additional projects. Click here to learn more about this class, the […]