One could argue that all art and craft has its origin in the natural world around us. Inspiration from nature is part of the human experience, and the craft of blacksmithing is uniquely poised to translate impressions from nature into objects of both function and whimsy. In this class we will begin at the source, studying details and forms around us, and using the forge to bring these ideas into the world in iron. All of the basic techniques of blacksmithing will be used, including drawing, upsetting, punching, fire welding, etc. We will aim to conceive our work without reference to what has been made before, but rather simply joining the natural world to the repertoire of techniques we have to interpret it.