Old time traditional techniques and lore will be explored, exemplified, demonstrated, and celebrated during this weekend workshop. You will get lots of hands-on experience. Our professional blacksmiths and teachers will attentively guide you on this 3-day weekend long journey back into our American roots.
Try your hand at making a hook, hoof pick, candle holder, or fire poker. More importantly learn foundational techniques that can enlighten an aspect of our history or guide you into becoming more deeply involved in this empowering trade.
This event is open to a small group of adults only. (Special exceptions can sometimes be made for mature minors who are accompanied by a chaperoning parent.) *All tools and materials provided* This workshop is geared towards beginners but advanced students are also welcome.
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to fire up some new possibilities.
*This class is a pre-requisite for folks planning to take knife-making.
Details:
Date/Time: 4pm April 3 - 4pm April 5, 2020
Available Spaces: limited to 10 adults (no unchaperoned minors)
Cost: $375 online, $360 by postal mail (hot meals & overnight rustic lodging included)
Cancellations: non-refundable deposit (1/2 of total) is retained for all cancellations
Road Conditions: 1.5 miles off-road gravel - watch the video (link is external)
Location: 8 miles east of Boone, NC - Base camp at Turtle Island Preserve is just 2 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway - Bamboo Gap Exit
How To Register:
Option 1: Pay $375 online w/ credit card by clicking the yellow "Buy Now" button - then email these forms to: mail@turtleislandpreserve.com
Option 2: Pay $360 w/ check or money order by Postal Mail - print and enclose these forms to:
Turtle Island Preserve
Attn: Blacksmith Weekend
Little Laurel Rd.
Boone, NC 28607
After You've Registered:
What to Bring on overnight stays
Testimonials From Participants:
Thanks so much for providing this workshop! I was intimidated at first as a woman who typically does yoga, and heavy lifting is generally limited to picking up my toddler. I felt welcome and useful in this workshop, and I learned a lot about myself, fire, and metal in a really short period of time. I appreciated the hands-on learning, being able to ask a lot of questions, and having the chance to complete projects while also striking out on my own to try new things and learn more about smithing. I learned more about Turtle Island and the educational experience was one I wouldn't trade for anything else. And I felt powerful in the process! - Stephanie Langston
I attended the spring Blacksmith weekend workshop at Turtle Island Preserve. I must say, that is a very unique place to visit and my experience was wonderful and very educational. You instantly get a feeling of family as soon as you arrive with the warm greetings from the staff. It is obvious through their actions that they are glad you are there and want you to get the most out of your time. They are eager to get you oriented to the area and explain the safety and health requirements that will make your stay a safe and enjoyable one.
While staying at TIP you will be exposed to some very good meals. Its country cooking on wood stoves and open fires at its best. I was very surprised at the variety of food and you will not walk away hungry. The meal time gatherings are lively and fun. This is the time to meet other staff and guests that’s not in your workshop. I looked forward to each meal time to talk with other like minded people.
The blacksmith workshop was very interesting and inspirational. Our talented instructor Josh Cooper was top notch with his style of teaching techniques and introducing you into the world of blacksmithing. He always encouraged questions and often went into great detail to make sure that you had a solid understanding of the craft. Josh shows great patience and encourages you to learn from mistakes that you make. He uses storyboards to show you the evolution of the projects that we made. It made it very easy to follow and understand.
TIP’s owner and chief educator Eustace Conway stopped by our class for a while on Saturday. It was a real treat to listen to him talk about “life matters” and the importance of building knowledge and education. He demonstrated how to punch holes into hot iron as he was talking. As I listened to him I instantly realized that this is a “one of a kind guy”. He is absolutely fascinating when he speaks about how our society has changed in past years and how we need to return to common sense living and thinking. I look forward to the next time that I see him.
From the time that you drive down the 1 ½ mile entrance way to the preserve you instantly know you are in a wonderful, peaceful place. Upon your arrival at the meadow, you roll back a hundred years of time when you see the old barns, buildings, horses, outhouses and the beautiful stream flowing by. Also, the hospitality is at its best when you come here. Please put Turtle Island Preserve on your bucket list. I don’t know of any other place like this. Eustace has built this through hard work and dedication for us to enjoy.
Please consider signing up for any of the educational workshops that they offer. Contact Derere and she will make sure you are taken care of. They are constantly looking for other ideas for workshops to offer. Needless to say…I enjoyed it and will definitely be going back!!!
Allen Wagner
Hickory, NC
Other Workshop Opportunities At Turtle Island Preserve
Blacksmithing Workshop ~ Building Skills Workshop ~ Fire By Friction Class ~ Forestry School With Eustace ~ Hide Tanning Workshop ~ Knife Making Weekend ~ Knife Sheath Workshop ~ Spoon Carving Workshop ~ Woods Woman 101 Weekend
Attention All Camp Visitors - Please Note:
WARNING: Under North Carolina Law, There Is No Liability For An Injury To Or Death Of A Participant In An Agritourism Activity Conducted At This Agritourism Location If Such Injury Or Death Results From The Inherent Risks Of The Agritourism Activity. Inherent Risks Of Agritourism Activities Include, Among Others, Risks Of Injury Inherent To Land, Equipment, And Animals, As Well As The Potential For You To Act In A Negligent Manner That May Contribute To Your Injury Or Death. You Are Assuming The Risk Of Participating In This Agritourism Activity.
WARNING: Under North Carolina Law, A Farm Animal Activity Sponsor Or Farm Animal Professional Is Not Liable For An Injury To Or The Death Of A Participant In Farm Animal Activities Resulting Exclusively From The Inherent Risks Of Farm Animal Activities. Chapter 99E Of The North Carolina General Statutes.