Pauses that change you

The path to the Clay Spencer Blacksmith Shop at the John C Campbell Folk School.

Eight years ago, I signed up for my very first blacksmithing class at the John C Campbell Folk School. At the time it felt like such a crazy idea--to put my life on pause for a week and go immerse myself in learning something new. (They say that the Folk School changes you, and that's been emphatically the case for me.)

Over the years those classes, those pauses. became more and more crucial to me. They became opportunities to reset, to unlearn bad habits, to master new skills, to explore new ideas, and to connect with other creatives and metal-heads. Each pause is an opportunity to become a better blacksmith, a better teacher. 

This October, I'll be returning to John C Campbell for four months as part of their student host program.  I am very excited to be returning to the shop where I first learned to play with hot steel. The Folk School is one of my favorite places on the planet; a home away from home. Some of the best blacksmiths teach there, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to learn all I can from them. (It's even possible that I may take some non-blacksmithing classes just to shake things up a bit!)

I'm acutely aware that it's a long time to step away from Ms Caitlin's School, so if you've been considering taking a class, I'll be teaching here until September 27th, so sign up now to reserve your spot!  

If you can't fit in a class with me this Fall, check out this amazing resource of other blacksmithing schools, come see me at the Folk School, and stay tuned for exciting new class availability in February 2018! 

And naturally, stay tuned for updates from Brasstown, NC! 

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