If you are interested in improving your forging skills in a more formal way, the Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA) has developed a 3-level certification curriculum.  This curriculum was created to develop the fundamental skills and techniques in blacksmithing using a series of projects culminating in a final project at each level showcasing the student's acquired skillsets.  The level one certification covers the most fundamental skills based on 16 separate elements. This second part class will focus on the more advanced skills in the level one certification with a heavy focus on the final project. Upon completion of the project and satisfactorily meeting all the requirements, students will be able to earn their level one certification. Basic skills covered are forging to specific shapes and sizes, toolmaking and heat treatment, forge welding, and final project assembly. Greg AmEnde is a Level One certified instructor for The Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America. Students will need safety glasses, dust mask or respirator, leather work gloves, (welding gauntlets not needed) and should wear jeans, a non-flammable cotton shirt and/or jacket, and closed-toed boots or leather shoes. Our forge is an outdoor building that is only semi-enclosed; please dress accordingly. For full-day workshops, please bring a lunch to be on the safe side, as there may or may not be time to get food during a lunch break.