Forge Your Story: Hardy and Fuller’s Alchemy of Metal and Mettle

Open studio is a big part of what we offer. The open studio is open to anyone who has taken a safety course or any of our classes. Think of it like leveling up in a video game: each class unlocks access to specific areas and tools. We host open studio hours from Wednesday to Saturday, giving participants the freedom to work on their projects. While some focus solely on blacksmithing or welding, others expand their repertoire by taking multiple courses.

In my classes, we start with safety, discussing appropriate attire and equipment. We make sure to not only talk about safety procedures but also explain the reasoning and how to build a safe pattern of movement. If you have experience in a shop and don’t want to take a class we do have tests that allow experienced and safe participants the ability to skip classes.

My MIG and TIG welding classes focus on different types of welding. You can opt for the MIG class, which stands for Metal Inert Gas. It’s essentially like a massive hot glue gun but with fire. I love MIG welding; it’s my favorite and easier than most people assume.

On the other hand, TIG welding is probably what you’ve seen in most welding videos because it’s visually striking. People often refer to the visuals as “stacking dimes” or the “rainbow effect.” While TIG welding is beautiful, it has a steep learning curve because of its precision and the need for immaculate cleanliness.

I introduce my two welding machines: a regular MIG welder and a multiprocess MIG welder. With a maximum of two students at a time, we go over the welders in detail. I also discuss consumables, how to change them out, and the basics of machine operations. The initial exercises involve basic welding principles: cleaning materials, running straight lines, tacking, and eventually weaving two pieces together in a 90-degree joint. For the MIG class, students build their boxes. I integrate artistic welding into this, allowing them to design the box with the welder before assembling it.

Blacksmithing is one of our most popular classes. It’s one of those things that you think oh, I would love to do that. I have friends who have won their episodes of Fortune Fire. While I am not a knife maker by trade, I am an artistic blacksmith who can teach you the basics of blacksmithing. From there you can sail into knife-making. I think the thrill for people is that they don’t think they could ever do it. I have 3 anvils, which makes for a maximum class size of 6 people.

The first 30 minutes of the class. I go over forging with you and I use an oil-based clay to kind of give you a demo on hammering because the steel acts just like clay when it’s hot. It’s very soft and wiggly. Everyone then gets to pick a project. I have a project binder that has been fleshed out with tabs, instructions, hints, and everything you’ll need. 

I have a 98% success rate of people leaving with finished projects so I’m pretty good at it. The 2% are people who had a very ambitious project, so they came back to finish. I make sure to communicate so we can be on the same page. The projects that are the most popular are S hooks, wands, fire pokers, towel holders, charcuterie sets, cheese cutters, cheese spreaders, charcuterie forks, barbeque forks, spatulas, and dinner bells. It’s one of my favorite classes. I love to teach blacksmithing. It’s why I got into this.

GayDenver: Your website explicitly mentions creating a haven for underrepresented groups in specialized metal trades, such as women, the LGBTQ community, those with disabilities, and BIPOC individuals. Could you speak about the importance of this?

Hardy/Fuller: Yes, these groups make up such a significant portion of our society and community. I see them as an untapped potential for artistic expression and professional pursuit. I can provide an intermediary step for them to explore this craft. They are not represented or supported in many shops, so I made a place to welcome them. I truly believe we are missing out on incredible talent and creativity.

GayDenver: It sounds like you are saying that we have no idea what we could be missing out on.

Hardy/Fuller: Exactly, and metalworking gives me a tremendous amount of confidence. I’ve seen how it empowers people, especially those from underrepresented communities. It’s transformative to create something lasting and valuable. We need this empowerment, especially in communities that need it the most.

GayDenver: You have a few party options on your website, I would have never thought of that! The Fire Tasting Package caught my eye.

Hardy/Fuller: The Fire Tasting class is very popular. It looks like a modified class. Participants won’t do as much hammering. Instead, I pre-forge an object, and they add personalized designs, like textures or twists. This makes the process quicker and easier for larger groups. It’s a three-hour session where up to twelve people can design and finalize a pre-forged piece, which they then take home.

GayDenver: Do these parties have to be dry events?

I promote a “let’s be safe, and at the end of every class, enjoy something because we deserve it” atmosphere. I maintain a small fridge stocked with water, sparkling water, snacks, cheese sticks, and popsicles. These are available to everyone anytime they’re in the shop. I stress the importance of self-care since this isn’t the place to faint. In the full blacksmith classes, during the last hour when most of the strenuous work like hammering is done, students can have a beer, cider, kombucha, or whatever they prefer. These drinks aren’t strong, so there’s no worry about intoxication. For the tasting party, guests can BYOB and my offerings will still be available. We ensure responsible consumption; since participants are focused on their tasks, they’re unlikely to overindulge.

GayDenver: I see you emphasize equal access for those with disabilities. How do you approach that?

Hardy/Fuller: It’s been a learning experience, but equal access is extremely important to us. For starters, I have spaced equipment, furniture, and walkways so that a wheelchair can easily maneuver around them. I test this with an actual wheelchair, as opposed to just measuring. We are constantly looking for feedback on all aspects of our business but especially from people with handicaps that I have traded a class to get constructive feedback.

An Important Note:

The Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths (SIBs) strives to “change the image of blacksmiths in the 21st century by supporting, promoting, and highlighting historically underrepresented populations and forward-thinking work.” Hardy and Fuller is a proud sister school. Hardy and Fuller get a monthly stipend to award free classes to the community! Winners are picked via lottery and ANYONE can apply!