Blacksmithing: Hand Forged Heart Hooks

Instructor: Elizabeth Belz

Day & Date: Saturday, February 7, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Tuition: $105.00

Ages: 18 and Up

Spend a day at the Folk School forge with local instructor Elizabeth Belz. In this day-long workshop, students will learn the basics of forging, including blacksmithing safety, general fire maintenance, and hand tool skills while creating heart-shaped wall hooks just in time for Valentine’s Day!

There will be a 1-hour lunch break. Bring a sack lunch or explore local dining options.

Experience needed: All levels are welcome. No experience required. Must be comfortable standing for long periods of time.

Location: This workshop takes place on the John C. Campbell Folk School Campus. Please arrive at the Clay Spencer Blacksmith Forge the day of the workshop to check in. It is number 9 on the  Campus Map

Students Please Bring:

• All cotton clothing.
• Closed-toed shoes.
• Eye protection and hearing protection (we have some shared ones in the shop for use).
• Long hair must be tied back.
• Lunch
• Note taking materials.
• (Optional) A snack and/or water bottle. Filtered water is available in the classroom.

An additional fee for materials provided by your instructor for this workshop is estimated at $25.00. THIS FEE IS PAYABLE TO THE INSTRUCTOR at the time of the workshop. Material fees may change depending on the number of participants and price of materials at the workshop. *Payment by cash or check is required for materials fees. 

* We contract with local and regional instructors for short workshops that generally require a minimum of students to run. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to call Olive’s Porch for up-to-date enrollment information. To respect our instructor’s time and preparation for workshops, please contact us as soon as possible if you are unable to attend a workshop. Cancellations made more than 14 days prior to a workshop will be issued a full refund. Cancellations made 14 or less days prior to your workshop are not eligible for a refund. If Olive’s Porch needs to cancel a workshop for any reason, we will issue a full refund. See our General Information and Policies page on our website for more information.

About Instructor: Elizabeth is a blacksmith, educator, and the owner of Black Widow Forge. She was the blacksmithing apprentice at the Metal Museum in Memphis, TN for two years where she trained under master smith Jim Masterson. She was a craft education intern at North House Folk School, a resident artist with the Science Museum of MN, and has spent time at craft and folk schools across the country. Elizabeth has shown her work, competed, and taught blacksmithing throughout the United States and internationally, and has most recently finished up an artist residency at Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts. Elizabeth sits on the board of the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths which is an international nonprofit committed to building equity and diversity in the field of blacksmithing.