California Blacksmith Association upcoming events

INSTRUCTOR TRAINING NORTH AT WEAVERVILLE - 2026 (October 29, 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

INSTRUCTOR TRAINING NORTH AT WEAVERVILLE

DATE: Thursday, October 29, 2026

COST: Free to CBA Instructors, $35 to non-instructors

LOCATION: Jake Jackson Museum in Weaverville, California

INSTRUCTOR: Mark Aspery

CONTACT/RSVP: If you are interested in attending, please email Victoria Ritter at education@calsmith.org

Note: It is customary to bring your own forge (gas or coal) and an anvil. A post vise is also helpful.

DESCRIPTION:

Mark Aspery will be showing us how to do the trickier Level 2 scrolls: the Beveled leaf and Ha’ Penny.

WEAVERVILLE HAMMER-IN 2026 (October 29, 2026)

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 07:00:00 GMT

WEAVERVILLE HAMMER-IN 2026

DATE: October 29 - 31, 2026

LOCATION: Jake Jackson Museum, 780 Main Street, Weaverville, California

SCHEDULE:
Begins at 9:00 a.m. each day.
Dinner and auction 6:00 p.m. Saturday night.

COST & MEALS: $100, including lunch and dinner Friday & Saturday. Saturday dinner and auction at the Tangle Blue saloon. Vegetarian upon request. Additional Saturday dinner meals $25.

DEMONSTRATORS:

Mark Aspery, Victoria Ritter, and Jake Trogdon

The demonstrators will focus on scrolls and sign brackets.

FOR DETAILS & ACCOMMODATIONS: Call the Jake Jackson Museum at (530) 623-5211 for information or to register.

VisitTrinity.com/Blacksmith

RSVP: Rod Plew, 530/623-3536 (after 5:00 pm).

Pop-up IRA SHERMAN in Alameda - Nov 7 (November 07, 2026)

Sat, 07 Nov 2026 16:00:00 GMT

IRA SHERMAN -- Pop UP Demonstration

DATE: Saturday, November 7, 2026

COST: Suggested donation: $20; more if doing the hands-on.

LOCATION: Bella Ironworks shop, 1916 Stanford Street, Alameda, California (Thanks to Jill Turman for hosting.)

INSTRUCTOR: Ira Sherman - Modern Metal Wizard (See "IraSherman.com")

CONTACT/RSVP: For additional information or questions, email Paul Boulay (webmaster@calsmith.org)

DESCRIPTION:

Tube Forming Techniques for Jewelers and Sculptors:

Students will gain new skills in forming copper and steel tubing into elegant, tapered tendrils with fold-formed embellishments. This class focuses on innovative metal manipulation techniques, resulting in designs that are visually striking, strong, and lightweight. Students can apply these elegant forms for a range of applications, from delicate jewelry like bracelets and necklaces to impactful, large-scale sculptural components.
No prior jewelry fabrication experience is necessary to participate, though it can be beneficial. Ira will supply most necessary demo tools and materials.

The day will go something like this:

8:00 AM Doors open at Jill's shop. Bella Ironworks, 1916 Stanford Street, Alameda, CA 94501

8:30 AM Morning session—demonstration and lecture.

Noon -1 PM -- Break for lunch -- there is a café across the street.

1 PM Hands-on work with Copper and (if time) with steel.

Break for dinner,

7 PM -- Slide show of Ira's art.

L3 Smiths Hangout Day - Winterbash 2027 (January 28, 2027)

Thu, 28 Jan 2027 17:00:00 GMT

L3 Smiths Hangout Day
at Winterbash 2027

Level 3 Smiths hangout day with Mark Aspery -- making finials for scroll work.

DATE & TIME: Thursday, January 28th, starting at 9am.

PRICING: Free to all L3 smiths. $35 for all others.

LOCATION: McLellan Blacksmithing Shop.
6961 Horseshoe Rd., Loomis, CA

REGISTRATION: Register here online. Online registration is open till the end of Jan. 26.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Victoria Ritter at Education@calsmith.org for questions

MEALS: Please bring a lunch/drink of your choice or you can order something from a local sandwich shop that morning!

Bring your favorite beverage – this is a chance to unwind, hang out and enjoy our growing L3 family.

Instructor Training Day - Winterbash 2027 (January 29, 2027)

Fri, 29 Jan 2027 17:00:00 GMT

Instructor Training Day
at Winterbash 2026

DATE & TIME: Friday, January 29th, starting at 9am going until dark!

PRICING: Free to CBA Instructors. $45 for all others.

LOCATION: McLellan Blacksmithing Shop.
6961 Horseshoe Rd., Loomis, CA

REGISTRATION: Register here online. Online registration is open till the end of Jan. 26.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Victoria Ritter at Education@calsmith.org for questions

MEALS: Please bring a lunch/drink of your choice or you can order something from a local sandwich shop that morning!

INSTRUCTOR TRAINING DAY:
We will go over punching and drifting a 1/2” hole in a 1/2” bar, then make the tools. Everyone will have a chance to replicate the demonstration.

As always, this is a way for the CBA to give back to our dedicated instructors by providing a day of fun, forging, and learning from each other.

CBA loves our Instructors. See you there!

WINTERBASH 2027 - CBA EVENT (January 30, 2027)

Sat, 30 Jan 2027 17:00:00 GMT

WINTERBASH 2027

It is time for some winter forging at CBA’s Annual WinterBash

DATE & TIME: January 30th , Saturday from 9 am to dark

PRICING: $65 which includes a main lunch course. Asking everyone to bring a side dish, drink or dessert.

LOCATION: McLellan Blacksmithing Shop.
6961 Horseshoe Rd., Loomis, CA

REGISTRATION: Register here online. Online registration is open till the end of Jan. 27th, 2027.

CONTACT FOR MORE INFO: Victoria Ritter at Education@calsmith.org for questions.

MEALS:
Continental breakfast and coffee on site!

Potluck Lunch: We will provide main dish, TBD and will send out a signup sheet a couple of weeks before the event so you can bring something to share or add to the potatoes!

FORGING AT THE BASH:

Hands-on Forging opportunities for all skill levels, from a brand-new smith trying this out for the first time to an advanced project and everything in between.

Beginners: Alena Carnes will lead a project for beginning smiths.

The in-between: Mark Aspery and team will lead a Miners Candlestick workshop. An all-day project featuring a piece of classic US mining history; project plus is makes for an excellent forging to dimension project that makes a nice display for a shelf or table.

Advanced: Watch a team of Experienced Smiths forge out large-scale material using the tried-and-true Smith and Striker method to produce a sculpture that will be auctioned off at the Spring Conference.

Power Hammer Workshop: John Williams will lead a session on making a tool, part of the newly developed Power Hammer curriculum.

See you there!

Spring Conference 2027 (April 22, 2027)

Thu, 22 Apr 2027 15:00:00 GMT

The 2027 Spring conference will be held at Bolado Park, the San Benito County fairgrounds in Tres Pinos, California. That is about 10 miles south of Hollister. This is the same venue as the 2015 Western States conference. The actual registration listing will come later -- this is just a save-the-date notification.

We are developing an exciting demonstrator lineup: Jodie Bliss from Bliss Studio Custom Metalwork in Colorado will be making a sculpture, and Mathew Christiano from Reno Forge will be showing some curved stair-making tricks he learned working with Pete Matilla in Tasmania. We’ll have Salem Straub doing a knife-making demonstration. Jon Sarriugarte of Form & Reform will be talking about and demonstrating building light fixtures. Our international guests will be Guillermina Morales from Spain and Yukio & Chikako Kanari from Japan.

There will also be an enameling workshop with Holly Carter.

Our incredible education team, led by Victoria Ritter and Becky Schimpf, will cover key aspects of the national curriculum. And of course, there will be lots of hands-on forging opportunities.

This QR will take you to the volunteer sign-up sheet. Every conference needs lots of people behind the scenes. Please consider lending us a little of your time, talent, and maybe some muscle to help make the conference a success.

ONLINE REGISTRATION:

Online registration will open in early January.

Early Bird Registration through March 22, 2027

CBA MEMBER - Full Conference – $250.00
CBA MEMBER - Single Day (any day) – $125.00

Online Late Registration March 22, 2027 - April 19, after that you may register in person at the event.

CBA MEMBER - Full Conference – $270.00
CBA MEMBER - Single Day (any day) – $140.00

** Members can register additional participants at the member rate. If more than 2 additional participants are to be registered please contact the CBA Secretary, Michael Suwczinsky (secretary@calsmith.org )

** A non-participating chaperone with a minor participant (8 and older) is free with a fully paid registration for the minor. Chaperone can be registered at the Registration Table at the conference. Children under 8 are free when accompanied by a fully registered adult.

REFUND POLICY

Refund Policy. A full refund of conference fees will be given if a member cancels at least 4 weeks before the conference starting date. A half (½) refund of conference fees will be given if the member cancels one week before the conference starting date. No refunds for “No Shows”, except in cases of extreme hardship, a death in the family, major illness, etc.

Don't forget to get your SATURDAY NIGHT BANQUET Tickets: $35 each, $18 for Children 12 and under. Must order by March 31, 2027.

Also pre-order your Conference souvenir t-shirts and pull-over hoodies.

CONTACT & CO-CHAIRS:

Paul Boulay - webmaster@calsmith.org

Shelly Cournoyer - shelly.cba.board.24@gmail.com

SCHEDULE AND SITE MAP:

(TBD)

GETTING THERE

Bolado Park, the San Benito County fairground is located right off CA Hwy 25 in the town of Tres Pinos, CA. That is about 10 miles south of Hollister. Use Gate #3, 9000 Airline Highway.

The site is roughly midway between I-5 and US 101 along CA Hwy 152.

The nearest major airport is about 1.5 hours away, San Jose International Airport (SJC).

LODGING OPTIONS:

On-site:

Tent camping is free.

RV spots with electrical/water hook-ups and RV dry camping spots are available. Contact the Fairgrounds directly to reserve after you register for the conference.

RV Camping (limited spots. w/electric & water): $45/per night
Restroom and Showers available on-site for attendees.

Off-site:

Plan ahead and secure your space to stay:

Plus a variety of additional campgrounds, B&Bs, AirBnBs, and VRBOs are available in the area. Book early!

SATURDAY NIGHT BANQUET

Tickets: $35 each, $18 for Children 12 and under. Must order by March 26, 2027.

A vegetarian/vegan option is available. Contact one of the Conference chairs if you have other dietary needs we can accommodate.

Presentations
Live Auction
Silent Auction

FRIDAY NIGHT BBQ POT-LUCK

For the Friday night potluck, CBA will supply the main dish fixings. Please plan to contribute appetizers, side dishes, desserts, beverages, or supplies.

We will do "Iron-in-the Hat" on Friday during the pot-luck. Bring your ferrous and non-ferrous treasures to donate early!

GALLERY SHOWCASE

Bring your most interesting work to show off in the members' gallery.

SLIDE-SHOWS and LECTURES on Thursday and Friday night with lead demonstrators

COMPETITIONS

Small Contests/Competitions: Thursday and Friday nights for smiths of all levels.

Education (Details here are TBD)

Curriculum workshops
Beginner Smiths; Young Smiths (S)
Advanced topics workshops

Hands-on Workshops

We will have hands-on workshops available. You must sign up ahead of the conference to be hands-on.

Holly Carter

Enameling can add color and interest to your work.

DEMONSTRATOR PROFILES

Jodie Bliss

Matt Christiano

Jon Sarriugarte

Salem Straub

International Guests

Guillermina Morales from Spain

Yukio Kanari from Japan

CONFERENCE MERCHANDISE

CBA will offer t-shirts and pull-over hoodies with the conference logo. Order by March 7, 2027, for delivery at the conference.

TAILGATING: Spots will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Indicate in the comments when you register or contact Michael Suwczinsky (secretary@calsmith.org) to secure your spot.

VENDORS: CBA would like to invite vendors of blacksmithing related items to come and sell their wares. Please reach out to Greg Hudgins (tools@calsmith.org) for details.

Coal Iron Forge, AmeriBrade, True Grit, and others will be on site.