I just wanted to thank Enrique once again for taking the time to teach this class. There were only 5 of us with varying blacksmithing abilities. Enrique was never condesending, always patient and full of good advice for all of us. What a resource! I came in with alot of enthusiasm to learn, and that I did. I really have alot of ideas but my abilities limited me a bit. I had big ideas to use alot of curves, twisty things, and "difficult" for a beginner design. Enrique never said I couldn't do it, but encouraged other ways of putting my table together that would lead to more confidence, but still pushing me out of my comfort zone. Learning the simple things first will lead to more complicated designs later. He stressed that thinking backward in a project from finished product to the beginning was important, that drawing out a design with detail and precision (which I'm not used to doing) and measuring was very important. I know if I would have done this more carefully, that I would have not had so much trouble. Everyone in the class was very helpful with eachother. It was fun to watch everyone else work thru their project and I think everyone had a range of emotions that went with the process and struggled a bit. I learned to let the metal teach me.. I let go of comparing my project to my idea of what I wanted it to be, and what everyone elses project looked like. This is sometimes hard when you are in a class with many people. I realized that this was all about learning, actually, when it was all said and done, I thought my table turned out ok..at least it's level! and I had a great time!
wonderful class!
I just wanted to thank Enrique once again for taking the time to teach this class. There were only 5 of us with varying blacksmithing abilities. Enrique was never condesending, always patient and full of good advice for all of us. What a resource! I came in with alot of enthusiasm to learn, and that I did. I really have alot of ideas but my abilities limited me a bit. I had big ideas to use alot of curves, twisty things, and "difficult" for a beginner design. Enrique never said I couldn't do it, but encouraged other ways of putting my table together that would lead to more confidence, but still pushing me out of my comfort zone. Learning the simple things first will lead to more complicated designs later. He stressed that thinking backward in a project from finished product to the beginning was important, that drawing out a design with detail and precision (which I'm not used to doing) and measuring was very important. I know if I would have done this more carefully, that I would have not had so much trouble. Everyone in the class was very helpful with eachother. It was fun to watch everyone else work thru their project and I think everyone had a range of emotions that went with the process and struggled a bit. I learned to let the metal teach me.. I let go of comparing my project to my idea of what I wanted it to be, and what everyone elses project looked like. This is sometimes hard when you are in a class with many people. I realized that this was all about learning, actually, when it was all said and done, I thought my table turned out ok..at least it's level! and I had a great time!