By Kathy Chouteau
Instead of giving your mom flowers this Mother’s Day, empower her to make her own using a fire and hammer. “Learn to Forge and Weld Garden Art” is an entry-level blacksmith and welding class set for Sunday, May 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Seaport Studios.
Richmond blacksmith Celeste Flores of Clay and Steel will team up with Jenny Mount of The Department of Spontaneous Combustion to teach locals how to create garden art in an “intense but fun class,” according to Flores.
Students will start with coffee and safety instructions, then dive into learning about different forging projects, as well as precut items available to them for texturing, bending and welding.
“We will use fire and hammers to texture butterflies, flowers and more,” said Flores, adding that she can work with students to forge some other items collaboratively, including birds and tapers for tendrils. Flores said the group will work quickly to make different parts before moving on to welding.
Mount will instruct on MIG welding and safety after lunch, and students can put their new know-how to the test by assembling their garden stake and then sanding and finishing their project.
The artists ask that students wear all natural fibers, such as cotton jeans, T-shirts, wool or leather and also closed toed shoes, to the class. Synthetic shoes, like sneakers, and synthetic fabrics, such as polyester, nylon and spandex, are not advised when working with fire.
Register for the May “Learn to Forge and Weld Garden Art” class here. The cost is $300 (Age 16-plus). The class will also be offered on June 23. Find Seaport Studios at 4925 Seaport Ave. in Richmond.
