NWBA

Blacksmith Week
2024-08-14 08:00 - 2024-08-18 17:00 UTC | Cascadia Center for Arts and Crafts, Government Camp, OR, 97028, United States
Blacksmith week at Cascadia Center for Arts and Crafts

Mentoring Center Event - Tim Smith
2024-08-24 09:00 - 16:00 UTC | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
Tim Smith demonstration at the Mentoring Center

Fireside Chat #48
2024-09-12 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Fireside Chat #48 – stay tuned for Zoom meeting details

Level C: Box Jaw Tongs
2024-10-12 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Level C: Box Jaw Tongs – Fire Arts Blacksmithing School – LaGrande, OR

Swaptoberfest 2024 NWBA Fall Conference
2024-10-25 09:00 - 2024-10-27 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
SWAPTOBERFEST 2024!

Come one come all, NWBA members and non-member visitors to Swaptoberfest. An event full to the brim with demonstrations, workshops, vendors, trading, tinkering, forging challenges, and more! This year we are opening Swaptoberfest to the public, from 9am – 5pm on Friday and Saturday, Sunday from 9am – noon. Folks who are camping are welcome to start setting up Thursday at noon. ALL REGISTRATION DONE ON SITE. We will have two registration tables to encourage efficient transactions for everyone.
—-Ticket prices——
Members Weekend Ticket: $100Members Day Ticket: $60Non-Members Day Ticket: $65Youth and tag alongs: $20
NWBA Yearly Membership due: $60
This years schedule boasts old and new activities, with an emphasis on trading items and idea. Below you will find the full schedule, along with further event details for the auction, masquerade, and barter blanket.
VENDORS: Please email nwbaweb@gmail.com if you would like to vend with us and have not previously. __________________________________________________________________
Friday, October 25thRegistration & Merch Table Open in Mentoring Center8:00am – 10:00am // 1:00pm – 3:00pm // 8:00pm – 9:00pm
7:30am-8:45am: Potluck Breakfast at Cook Shack8:00am – 10:00am: Registration at MC 9: 00am: Silent Auction begins in Demo Barn
9:00am – 12:00pm: Haley Woodward Demonstration in Demo Barn12:30pm – 1:45pm: Lunch Break & Blanket Shoot Competition in Demo Barn1:00pm – 3:00 pm: Registration at MC
2:00pm – 5:00pm: Joy Fire Demonstration in Demo Barn2:00pm – 5:00pm: Youth and Beginner Forge in Vendor Barn
5:00pm: Hands-on Workshop Participation Drawing at MC for Peter Clark
5:30pm – 7:00pm ish: Potluck Dinner and Barter Blanket in Demo Barn

8:00pm – 9pm: Registration at MC6:00pm – Late: Blacksmoke Alley 8:00pm – Late: Forging games at MC

Flexible throughout Friday* Tailgating, Trade and Barter* Silent Auction* Archives and Member Galleries______________________________________________________________________Saturday, October 26thRegistration & Merch Tables Open in Mentoring Center8:00am – 10:00am // 1:00pm – 3:00pm // 8:00pm – 9:30pm

7:30am-8:45am: Potluck Breakfast at Cook Shack8:00 am – 10:00 am: Registration at MC
9:00am – 12:00pm: Joy fire Demonstration in Demo Barn9:00am – 12:00pm: Hands-on with Peter Clark in MC9:00am – 12:00pm: Youth and Beginners Forge in
12:30pm – 1:45pm: Lunch Break
1:00pm – 3:00pm: Registration at MC1:45pm: Hands-on Workshop Participation Drawing at MC for Joy Fire
2:00am – 5:00pm: Haley Woodward Demonstration in Demo Barn2:00am – 5:00pm: Hands-on with Joy Fire in MC2:00pm – 5:00pm: Youth and Beginners Forge
5:30pm – 7pm: Potluck Dinner and Barter Blanket in Demo Barn8:00 pm – 9:30pm : Registration at MC
8:00pm – Late: Masquerade and Forging Competition (plus costumes!)8:00pm – Late: Blacksmoke Alley
9:00pm: Silent Auction Closes – Winners Announced, Collect Your Winnings!Flexible throughout Saturday*Tailgating, Trade and Barter* Silent Auction* Archives and Member Galleries______________________________________________________________________Sunday, October 27thRegistration and Merch Tables Open in Mentoring Center9:00m – 12:00pm
7:30am-8:45am: Potluck breakfast at Cook Shack9:00am – 12:00pm: Registration at MC
9:00am – 12:00pm: Hot Tips with Mark Manley in MC9:00am – 12:00pm: Open Forge at the Youth and Beginner Forge Area
9am – 12pm: Silent Auction Winners Collect Your Items!12:00pm – 4:00pm: Volunteers help with Conference Breakdown! Thank You for Coming!______________________________________________________________________
Activities:Youth & Beginner’s Corner –NWBA experienced members will provide guidance to our youth and beginner blacksmiths during these informative sessions. First come first serve.
Team Forging Competition – Grab a partner and start planning your costumes for this event! Challenge yourself in the forge through various skills challenges, welcome to all skill levels. Win a prize and enjoy the fun.
Blacksmoke Alley – Gather with friends to forge on any small projects and try out working with Coal Forges, Wood Fired Forges and Gas Forges.
Blanket Shoot – Make your own projectile (Hawk, axe, knife, spike, or whatever hand-thrown object – no archery, no spears) and come prepared to test your marksmanship. Bring an object or prize to lay on the blanket to select from at the end of the event …. from highest to lowest score.
Masquerade Mask Contest – Enter a mask in this annual contest. Mask does not have to be functional on a human, can be any size and shape. Metal components are encouraged but multimedia is acceptable as well. Prizes will be awarded.
Silent Auction- Help support NWBA with an item for the SilentAuction. Bring your wallet and get a head start on the holidayshopping.
Barter Blanket- New to the event will be time each eveningafter dinner for participants to place items out on a tarp or blanket that they would like to “trade” or “barter” for other goods. Start sorting out your shop and grab a few items to trade!
Archives & Library- Open for viewing all weekend.Tailgate Sales: Fill your pickup with tools and materials, sellthem to fellow NWBA members and of course, buy enough ofsomeone else’s treasures to fill your truck for the return home.

NWBA Board Meeting
2024-11-07 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
NWBA Board Meeting – 6PM PST via Zoom

Level B: Copper & Steel Ladle
2024-11-09 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Level B: Copper & Steel Ladle – Fire Arts Blacksmithing School – LaGrande, OR

Int. Blacksmithing at Old West Forge
2024-11-16 08:00 - 2024-11-18 17:00, 2024-12-07 08:00 - 2024-12-09 17:00 UTC
Int. Blacksmithing at Old West Forge – White Salmon, WA

Arnon Kartmazov - Hammer Demo - November 21st
2024-11-21 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Past Lives Makerspace, 2808 SE 9th, Portland, OR, 97202, United States
Arnon will demo and explain the Hofi technique of hammer control and he and his apprentice, Buddy will be doing a striking demo where they will forge a chef’s knife.
This is planned for Thursday the 21st of November starting at 6pm at Past Lives Makerspace at 2808 SE 9th, Portland, OR 97202.
This event is free to all Past Lives AND NWBA members, and is also open to the public for a $10 fee. All proceeds will go towards Buddy’s recovery fund.
Everyone who registers for the event will also get a raffle ticket for a chance to win the chef’s knife that Arnon and Buddy will be forging during the demo. The knife will be completely finished before delivery to the winner.
Click here for more details

Mentoring Center Event: Derek Lanhart
2024-11-23 09:00 - 16:00 UTC | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
Mentoring Center Event: Derek Lanhart: Paper Towel Holder

Mentoring Center Event: Pele Warnock
2024-12-14 09:00 - 16:00 UTC | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
Mentoring Center Event: Pele Warnock – Holiday Gift Making at the Forge

Mentoring Center Event: Andromeda Jacobson
2025-01-18 09:00 - 15:00 UTC | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
Mentoring Center Event: Andromeda Jacobson – Open Forge

Mentoring Center Event: Darby Pereira
2025-02-15 09:00 - 16:00 UTC | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
Join Darby Pereira at the Mentoring Center on February 15, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for open forge time. There will be a $20 charge to assist with the supplies and MC operations for the event.
The Mentoring Center is located at 1900 7th Avenue, Cowlitz County Fairgrounds in Longview, WA. The Registration Table will be open to process New and Renewing Members immediately prior to the start of the session.

Mentoring Center Event - Open Forge
2025-04-19 09:00 - 16:00 UTC | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
Mentoring Center Event – Open Forge for NWBA members from 9AM until 4PM
There will be a $20 charge to assist with shop expenses, supplies, and MC operations for the event.

Spring Board Meeting
2025-04-19 10:30 - 12:30 UTC | Longview Public Library, 1600 Louisiana St, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
Spring Board Meeting for all NWBA members on April 19th, 2025 at the Longview Public Library located at 1600 Louisiana St, Longview, WA 98632. Zoom connections will also be available.

Fireside Chat
2025-05-08 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
Fireside Chat via Zoom – open to all NWBA members.
A Zoom meeting link will be provided soon.

Spring Conference - Early Bird Online Registration Closes
2025-05-10 08:00 - 17:00 UTC | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
Online registration for the 2025 Spring Conference closes today; however, you can still register in person at the Mentoring Center during the conference May 30th through June 1st.

Beginner's Blacksmith Workshop - Registration Closes
2025-05-25
Online registration for the Beginner’s Blacksmith Workshop closes today.

Spring Conference 2025
2025-05-30 08:00 - 2025-06-01 17:00 UTC | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
Registration is now open for the 2025 NWBA Spring Conference! The conference will be May 30th through June 1, 2025 at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds/Event Center – NWBA Mentoring Center in Longview, WA. Featured Demonstrators on Friday and Saturday will include Ellen Durkan, Delaware and Max Randolf, California with John Paul serving as Sunday’s “Hot Tips” Demonstrator.
Download the full conference schedule here or view maps & more details here
Online registration is now closed – you can still register in person at the door at the conference though. Hope to see you all there!

New Agrarian School Workshop - Blacksmithing Fundamentals with Tony Stewart
2025-06-02 08:00 - 2025-06-06 17:00 UTC | New Agrarian School, 990 McCaffery Rd, Big Fork, MT, 59911, United States
This class is designed for people with little or no experience in blacksmithing. We’ll cover the basic theory and practice in the craft, introductory metallurgy, and basic tool design and use. Each day will involve demonstrations of basic techniques and projects, with most of the time spent with students working on projects that involve practice of the foundational techniques. We’ll learn how to draw out material, square and round it effectively, upset it, make basic joints, punch and drift holes, and elementary forge welding. Students can do personal work based on the demonstrations, and are also encouraged to come with ideas of things they would like to make. This class will prepare students with less experience for the intermediate classes to follow.

Beginner's Blacksmith Workshop
2025-06-07 09:00 - 16:00 UTC | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
If you are wanting to learn the Basics of Blacksmithing, plan to join us on Saturday, June 7th for an informative, hands-on course conducted by Northwest Blacksmith Association Board Member Derek Lanhart.
The session will be from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM in the NWBA Mentoring Center located at the Cowlitz County Fairgrounds (1900 7th Avenue, Longview, Washington).
There will be a registration fee of $100 per student to cover supplies and equipment used during the workshop. Space is limited to 10 participants and preregistration is required by May 25th. This course is designed for individuals who have never done blacksmithing before or complete beginners. Please wear clothing made from natural fibers (cotton, wool, leather) as synthetic materials tend to melt instead of burn. Closed toe shoes (steel toe preferred) are required.
Registration form is located here: Beginner’s Blacksmith Workshop Registration
Membership in NWBA is not required for this workshop. Contact nwbainfo@gmail.com for additional information.

New Agrarian School Workshop - Hammer and Tongs with Jeffrey Funk
2025-06-09 08:00 - 2025-06-13 17:00 UTC | New Agrarian School, 990 McCaffery Rd, Big Fork, MT, 59911, United States
This one-week workshop will be focused on these two absolutely essential tools for blacksmithing. Pared down from the more expansive two-week Blacksmith’s Tools class held in previous years, we’ll focus on the design and forging of hammers and tongs that are better than you can buy, using fundamental blacksmithing skills. We’ll use both power hammers and hand hammers, along with sledge hammer striking work to do the hole punching and drifting. Jeffrey’s approach to the form, forging, and heat treating of hammers has been widely appreciated in the blacksmithing community, and here is your chance to dig deep into it. Students can expect to take home several hammers and a selection of tongs, along with the skills to make more.
Less experienced folks will be admitted with the consent of the instructor.

Fireside Chat
2025-06-12 19:00 - 20:00 UTC
Fireside chat via Zoom – open to all NWBA members.
A Zoom link will be provided soon.

New Agrarian School Workshop - Knives for the Outdoors with Jordan LaMonthe
2025-06-16 08:00 - 2025-06-27 17:00 UTC | New Agrarian School, 990 McCaffery Rd, Big Fork, MT, 59911, United States
Whether camping, hiking, hunting, or foraging, a knife is one of the most important tools to carry in the wilderness. In this two week class, students will have the opportunity to forge a variety of knives for use in the field, including a hunting knife for everyday tasks and skinning game, a camp knife for chopping firewood and clearing brush, and a small chef knife for prepping camp meals. The class knives will feature forged integral bolsters and guards, and students will be able to explore both hidden-tang and through-tang construction to affix handles on their blades. To conclude the class, students will have the opportunity to craft leather sheaths for their knives, to carry them on their next outdoor adventures.

Mentoring Center Event - Open Forge
2025-06-21 09:00 - 15:00 UTC | Mentoring Center, 1900 7th Avenue, Longview, WA, 98632, United States
Mentoring Center Event – Open Forge for NWBA at the Mentoring Center (1900 7th Ave, Longview, WA 98632).
There will be a $20 charge to assist with shop expenses, supplies, and MC operations for the event.

New Agrarian School Workshop - Forging from the Natural World with Jeffrey Funk
2025-07-07 08:00 - 2025-07-11 17:00 UTC | New Agrarian School, 990 McCaffery Rd, Big Fork, MT, 59911, United States
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.

New Agrarian School Workshop - Tools for Farm and Garden with Jeffrey Funk
2025-07-14 00:00 - 2025-07-25 00:00 UTC | New Agrarian School, 990 McCaffery Rd, Big Fork, MT, 59911, United States
In what has become a foundational workshop for this school, here we will indulge in the design, forging, and heat treating of all manner of hand tools for use in the garden or small farm. Here we can make tools of the highest quality, exactly as we want them, and disregard the pile of poorly designed and made tools served up by twenty first century industrial production. We will study good tools of the past, along with some creative modern offerings. Participants can expect to make trowels, hoes of various types, gardening “adzes”, possibly forks for the ambitious, as well as special tools of their design. Basic metallurgy for this type of tools will be covered, along with heat treating and finishing. Expect to take home, in addition to the new skills you learn, a nice selection of beautiful and functional tools for use in growing food.
Beginning students admitted with permission of instructor

New Agrarian School Workshop - Zen and the Art of Hammer Swinging with Peter Braspenninx
2025-07-25 08:00 - 2025-07-29 17:00 UTC | New Agrarian School, 990 McCaffery Rd, Big Fork, MT, 59911, United States
This class will focus on the question why. Why in concept, and why in process. Through instructor led assignments we will cover a variety of techniques and design methods to ask the question, why are you doing that? To find the most direct way to construct and articulate our ideas.
We will be using hand forging techniques with power hammer assistance. Primarily coal forge work for the options it allows in process.
This class is structured so that there will be time for a final project/exploratory forging at the end of the week. So that, based on the information presented, we can apply the lessons to a design of your own voice.
Bring your ideas, an open mind, and a sketchbook. Let’s forge around, and find out. Forgewelding basics up to more advanced methods.

Hammer Jam!
2025-07-26 - 2025-07-27
Time to put summer things in your collective minds and calendars, mostly calendars. HAMMER JAM! What is a Hammer Jam one might ask (well at least one)? The last weekend of July (26th/27th), come to Scio, Oregon for a Hammer-in… but wait… and a JAM AND BREAD MAKING-in. Dan will host the hammer-in, Lisa will host bread making (including grinding grains) and jam making. Camping is available, a swimming hole, sharing of foods, and some sort of blacksmithing video for the evening’s “entertainment.” The “Great Oregon Steam Up” is that weekend and the following and just up I-5, so make it a weekend. We ask no dogs or children; our dogs are plenty for us to wrangle. Contact Dan Partin (dustbunnyforge@gmail.com) or Lisa (awence@yahoo.com) or find us on the Instagram (gunterhausfrau or didimos_farm)
