The blacksmithing courses started last week with a 3-day workshop in Huancayo, Peru. I thought I would post a couple of pictures of the first city I will be touring to give these workshops. When I first arrived to Lima, I spent three days with the blacksmithing crew of Aceros Arequipa making hot and cold chisels including removable steel handles. This was quite a task since we had to forge 34 chisels made of 1-1/2" high carbon steel all by hand. No power hammers! This task did help me train the smiths on how to effectively buddy forge with large sledge hammers. They also learned the process of heat treating and hardening the tools steel using magnets for temperature control of the hardening process.

The first workshop I have given in my studio has come to an end. I have to say that it was a true pleasure giving this workshop, not for the money, but because of the students, their individual projects, and their enthusiasm.

I recently went to Peru to give a seminar on blacksmithing techniques to the local peruvian metalsmithing community. The seminar was sponsored by Aceros Arequipa - the main steel manufacturer in Peru. This video includes my experience of the traffic, sightseeing, visiting blacksmith shops, the seminar, and even my travels to Cusco, Aguas Calientes, and Machu Picchu. There is no narration, but there is some really nice Andean music, still photos and live video included in this movie.