ABANA Level I Instructor Intensive
Workshop Description
Blacksmith instructors and blacksmiths thinking about teaching: this is the class for you!
Becky and Victoria will cover the National Curriculum requirements for Levels I and parts of II, along with tips and tricks for teaching beginner blacksmiths. The hands-on portion will be a deep dive into the Level 1 course work so participants become comfortable teaching the projects and exercises listed on the Level I curriculum. The course will focus on fundamental skills that might need fine tuning including forge welding, punching and drifting, hand tool making, heat treatment, bending/ scrolling, blacksmith math, and forging to dimension with lots of discussion and coaching on ways to present this material to a struggling student. We will cover the philosophy behind why we teach the curriculum the way we recommend, with options to make it relevant for you and your students.
Participants will get coaching in putting together and preparing the demonstration to the class that is required to earn Instructor Certification. The student that will get the most out of this class will have completed most of the ABANA National Curriculum Level I or have similar experience, or instruct blacksmithing currently in any capacity.
Come join us!
Call ESSA to register: 479-253-5384
Instructor Biography:
Becky and Victoria have been teaching the National Curriculum for the California Blacksmith Association (CBA) and Artist-Blacksmith’s Association of North America (ABANA). Victoria is the Education Chair for CBA and Becky is the Education Chair for ABANA. They frequently team teach the Curriculum on-line and at conferences. Victoria has been teaching at Folsom History Museum near Sacramento, CA for 8 years with a focus on the Curriculum and is the Lead Smith for Folsom. Becky started teaching 8 years ago at Adam’s Forge, a teaching forge in Los Angeles, CA and currently demonstrates and teaches at events and schools.
Victoria Ritter & Becky Schimpff
Materials
Material requirements and costs will be listed in the program catalog and/or emailed to students. When possible, material costs will be included in workshop registration costs, as described below:
Stock for completing projects. ESSA will have some on hand for students to purchase directly. Students are also encouraged to bring their own tongs: ⅜” bolt jaw tongs, ¾” bolt jaw tongs.
Important Links
ABANA Level I Instructor Intensive
Dates: Monday – Friday, November 16–20, 2026
Level: Intermediate
Instructors: Victoria Ritter & Becky Schmipff
Experience Required: Yes
Location: ESSA Windgate Iron Studio
Cost: $680
Age: 18+
Call ESSA to register: 479-253-5384
