This class will explore the history, design, forging, and use of axes for felling timber and working wood. Before the advent of the chainsaw spelled the end of the axe as a primary tool for felling trees in America, this ancient tool reached its most effective forms for use by both the woodsman and the […]

Mark your calendar! Swaptoberfest 2025 will be held from October 3rd through the 5th at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds. More details to come soon!

John Winer will be holding a 3-day long workshop from April 7th through April 9th at the NWBA Mentoring Center just before the Spring Conference. Each day will be 8 solid hours of hands on instruction. The cost for all three days is $500 for members and $550 for non-members (membership in the NWBA is […]

NWBA Spring Conference 2026 is happening April 10th through April 12 at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds/Event Center – NWBA Mentoring Center located at 1900 7th Ave, Longview, WA 98632. Conferences demonstrators this year are John Winer and  Lisa Geertsen with Dave Lisch as Sunday’s Hot Tips Demonstrator. We’ll also have hands-on workshop demonstrations throughout the weekend from […]

Open Forge Day ~ 9:00 AM to 4:00 P.M. A day to work on your projects with friends at the Mentoring Center.  $20 admission fee to assist with program expenses.

Open Forge from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Cowlitz County Fair/Mentor Center Open House during Fair – Volunteers are needed! Please contact Lee Cordochorea at thingmaker3@gmail.com if you are able to volunteer!

Jon Andersen is inviting you to the NWBA Summer Board of Director’s Meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug 19, 2026 beginning at 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/89127536959?pwd=83Z7UUOnkZ49BJadK2gDlWh7OzclhG.1 Meeting ID: 891 2753 6959 Passcode: 570868 Dial by your location • +1 253 205 0468 US • +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)

Mentoring Center Open Forge/ TBD – 9:00 – 4:00 Mentoring Center $20 admission fee to assist with program expenses.

We are excited to welcome September’s MC Host and Demonstrator, Nathan King to the NWBA Mentoring Center in Longview on Saturday, September 19th. Nathan’s demo will be on Mokume Gane from 9:00 – noon followed by open forge time in the afternoon. Nathan plans to bring enough supplies for others to make a small billet. Admission is $20 […]

The Seattle Metals Guild’s 32nd annual Northwest Jewelry & Metals Symposium returns Saturday, October 10, at Broadway Performance Hall in Seattle, with a livestream for anyone who can’t be in the room. This year’s five speakers work across a remarkable range of metal: Jaydan Moore, Jennifer Younger, Maria Cristalli, Ana María Jiménez, and Demitra Thomloudis. […]

Swaptoberfest 2026 will be held at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds from October 23rd through October 25. Jim Garrett will be presenting a slide show on Friday evening covering his nearly 50 year professional career with a focus on design and tooling for selected projects. David Tuthill and Silas Maddox will both be our featured demonstrators […]