For those who don’t know me I have been blacksmithing for 35 years and have worked and studied with masters from Europe and the United States. I have owned and operated my own blacksmithing business since the early 70’s. In the beginning my work consisted of industrial welding, fabrication and blacksmithing. I am now doing only commissioned pieces for interior designers, architects, builders and home owners. I do sculptural and functional works in steel, iron, stainless steel, copper, brass, and silicon bronze as well as some other alloys. In the 70’s I studied at workshops with Francis Whittaker and local smiths in the North Carolina area. When I returned to New England I bought a blacksmithing business here on the cape and finally ended up in Eastham, Ma. until 1990. While in Eastham I had the pleasure of working and studying with Antonio Rossini, an Italian Master from Milan Italy who happened to be retired locally. I reopened the cooperage blacksmith shop in Harwich, Ma. in 1992 after returning fro Aachen Germany where I studied for three months under Manfred Bredohl at the International Teaching Center for Metal Design. In 1998 I opened my present shop at my home in Orleans, Ma. I have taught and demonstrated blacksmithing for many years now and because of many requests I have decided to teach classes again at my shop in Orleans, Ma.

I have come up with a schedule of classes for the coming year. The first 2-3 classes will be beginner’s level. The levels of the classes from then on will depend on requests but I need to do some beginners at the start. In these classes you will learn what the different tools are and will develop basic forging techniques using a gas forge. I am not using the coal forge for the beginning classes because the proper building, use and cleaning of a coal fire encompasses a class in its own and if one has some hammering skills more can be done with the coal fire. In the past I have discovered that too much time was spent working the fire and not enough on blacksmithing techniques. I will do coal classes when the demand for them is apparent. I also plan on doing a weekend class strictly pertaining to fireplace pieces, i.e. flat and bowed front screens, andirons, and tools for attending the fire. This class will require some acquired skills and experience. The later classes can be in tool making or the forging and finishing of alloy materials such as copper, brass, silicon bronze or even stainless steel. I will fashion a class tailored to your requests as long as we can get a group of 6 students together.

You can expect to learn about the tools used in blacksmithing (BS) and how to make jigs and fixtures for creating different designs. You will forge the basic elements such as a taper, a flair, and many different scrolls elements. Also you will see how to twist and bend metal in many different ways. Depending on the class you may see how to create a round tendon on a square rod and then rivet it through a piece of flat stock. I will show you how to punch holes, slit metal, and drift holes round. In the advanced classes we will make flowers, leaves and vines and I will show you how to incorporate them into you designs. I will try to impart to you the ability to design elements and how to scale them to look appropriate in your work.

I have selected two day weekend classes because it is the easiest time to get most people together because of work schedules. Also since the classes are to be held at my shop here on Cape Cod a winter schedule is best because the tourist traffic is down and rental rooms are available without too much trouble.

Classes will be from 8 AM to 5PM each day with an hour for lunch. You are required to bring a pair of safety goggles, gloves and note taking materials. If you have a favorite hammer and tongs or other appropriate tools please bring them. Sample pieces of your work are always enjoyed by others in the group.

The fee for the weekend class is $275.00 per student and covers all material used in the beginning classes. The advance mixed media classes may have a materials fee. Class size will have a minimum of four students to an average of six students. Special classes can vary from this at my discretion. A deposit of $100.00 will reserve a place in a specific class and is refundable up to one week before the reserved class. If a class has less than four students registered one week before it’s scheduled date it will be cancelled and rescheduled.

The 2006 schedule is basically set as follows;

To register for a class please send the following information to me;

NAME:
ADDRESS:
PHONE #:
E-MAIL ADDRESS:
DATE OF CLASS DESIRED:
EXPERIENCE LEVEL:

$100.00 DEPOSIT CHECK MADE OUT TO: R. S. JORDAN

Robert S. Jordan
13 Captain Doane Way
Orleans, Ma. 02653

508-255-1767