Matthew’s Story…

I am thankful to be a blacksmith and building a school for those practical living skills that seem to be forgotten but becoming more necessary. As we look at our nation today, there is a clear movement to return to those practical living skills that helped many survive in generations before us.

Even after 19 years, I still get excited when I see the coals start to dance in the air provided by the whirling of the blower; the flames shooting up through the hot coals, dissipating the smoke; and watching the metal within take on the bright yellow glow of the fire. It reminds me of my first observation of blacksmiths at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival in 2002, at the age of 13. I was immediately intrigued by it, and that was the first step in a long and interesting journey. I started collecting the required tools and began blacksmithing shortly thereafter. I joined the Blacksmith Association of Missouri (BAM) in 2003 and have been active ever since. A very important part of my development, there are many members of BAM who have generously shared their time and knowledge. In 2021, I was pleasantly surprised to receive one of BAM’s highest honors; the Bob Patrick Founder’s Award. I have also taken classes at the Ozark School of Blacksmithing, and the New England School of Metalwork. I work primarily in my own shop, but have demonstrated in a wide variety of public venues, and for other blacksmiths. I opened the Missouri School of Blacksmithing in 2016, because I saw a need for quality instruction. I try to approach my classes and teaching from the perspective of what I would like to learn as a student. I ask myself; “What would be the best way to learn, and become a better blacksmith?” I emphasize traditional joinery in my work, studying design and balancing form and function. I make tools, knives, furniture and sculptures, giving me a fairly broad perspective from which to draw from in teaching. Mastering blacksmithing as well as other skills, is a continuing process of learning and discovery. I am enjoying the journey, and I look forward to continuing the exploration.

2023 marks our 8th year in operation, and the first full year of classes at our new facility; the Missouri School of Plain and Practical Living Skills! Our flagship classes are Hand-Carved Wooden Spoons and Learning about Leatherwork both with Tom Petty. This is just the beginning with other classes to come Fall 2023.

Those who experienced our 2021 Conference got to see demonstrations for hammer making, fish gig making, proper oxy-acetylene torch use, leather work and wood carving, beekeeping, and making maple syrup, as well as the bronze pour. All these things are just some of the practical skills that our NEW school could offer for you to learn how to do yourself!

We still have our blacksmithing classes of course, and you’ll find many opportunities for those this spring. Request our catalog for all of our course descriptions and other info.