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What skills have you gained over the years as a Blacksmith?
I'm a sophomore looking for more information on how to purse a career in blacksmithing.
#blacksmith #metalworking #metal #craftsman #highschool #career
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stephen’s Answer
Blacksmithing is a varied career choice these days. There aren't many fulltime traditional blacksmiths around. By 'traditional' I mean forging by using a small coal forge. Definitely try and contact the local or state Blacksmith association for someone close to you that you can learn from.
Blacksmiths can earn a good living with high quality reproduction pieces for clients with a budget that can support the smith. Many blacksmiths these days run the craft-fair/county circuit. They work for weeks creating items to sell at the fairs.
Blacksmiths need to learn all the modern processes to compete with very inexpensive imported pieces. I've had to learn each of the various welding processes ie., stick, tig, mig, gas, forge welding. I learned and am very comfortable working with coal so transitioning to propane was very easy. Propane is easier to work with as you can basically set it and have a good consistent heat source.
I don't have to earn my living with blacksmithing. I have a full time job. Most of the time my blacksmithing is done at demonstrations for schools and museums where I am directly interacting with the public. I learned from a full-time blacksmith. He also had a full pension from his previous career.
Many states also have a program where they will give a grant to a student of a folk art process. Check your state arts program for details. You will have to provide a sample of work that you have completed as part of the application. I hope it works out.
Blacksmiths can earn a good living with high quality reproduction pieces for clients with a budget that can support the smith. Many blacksmiths these days run the craft-fair/county circuit. They work for weeks creating items to sell at the fairs.
Blacksmiths need to learn all the modern processes to compete with very inexpensive imported pieces. I've had to learn each of the various welding processes ie., stick, tig, mig, gas, forge welding. I learned and am very comfortable working with coal so transitioning to propane was very easy. Propane is easier to work with as you can basically set it and have a good consistent heat source.
I don't have to earn my living with blacksmithing. I have a full time job. Most of the time my blacksmithing is done at demonstrations for schools and museums where I am directly interacting with the public. I learned from a full-time blacksmith. He also had a full pension from his previous career.
Many states also have a program where they will give a grant to a student of a folk art process. Check your state arts program for details. You will have to provide a sample of work that you have completed as part of the application. I hope it works out.
Updated
andrea’s Answer
Start with checking your local area for blacksmithing classes. Do not forget to check maker spaces, here CCFU's site as a starter site. good luck and sounds like a cool thing to do!
https://www.ccsf.edu/academics/career-education/makersphere
https://www.ccsf.edu/academics/career-education/makersphere
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