I don't consider myself a good 'smith, since I'm pretty much self taught. I have several books, "journals", and DVDs on blacksmithing, in addition to learning techniques through reading blacksmith and knifemaking web pages on the net.
I' also a member of the state blacksmithing association. Meetings are held every other month in different members shop. Demonstrations are a major part of of each meeting. In addition, the blacksmithing association provides scholarships to members who want to improve their skills. The receiver of the scholarship must, in return, document their experience in an article for the bi monthly newsletter and demonstrate the techniques they learned at the school, workshop, or seminar.
Blacksmithing isn't rocket science. Once you learn a few basic skills, you can make nearly anything by simply studying a part and forming it in modeling clay, before applying heat and hammer.
The work is hard. The satisfaction of making a usable item from junk is incredibly rewarding...and sometimes, you can even make a few bucks selling items from the forge.
God bless
