Classes & open Studio

ShopSpace offers a variety of workshops for you to experiment, play, and build. Start with a class and then book open time to continue on your own.

Classes

Browse our class selections below and sign up.

No spots left in what you’re looking for? Add yourself to the Class Standby List.

ShopSpace offers studio access to participants who have completed a safety course and received training and approval on the tools they wish to use.

Open Studio

Equipment is reserved in two hour blocks. By placing a reservation, you will be sure to get dedicated access during your time slot. After the first two hours, you may extend your reservation unless the station is reserved by another person. Reservations have priority over extended time; if you want to guarantee access for more than two hours you can make multiple reservations. In addition to your reserved equipment, you may use other unreserved tools that you have been cleared to use by way of a class introduction or a staff member evaluation.

Drop-ins are welcome, though access to equipment and tools isnt guaranteed without prior reservation.

If you have special needs, want to discuss a project, or if you have any other questions about open studio access, please email us at info@shopspace.org. The open studio program is evolving and this is subject to change in the future!

** Some tools and equipment have additional material and/or fuel fees when used beyond the reservation time period.

Make a donation.

FAQs

  • Our introductory forging and welding classes are single sessions lasting two hours. We introduce you to the tools and safety, and get you working under supervision as soon as possible. Generally the first hour includes closely guided instruction, and the second hour is working at your own pace with one on one instruction as needed.

    More advanced classes may be longer, but every class tends to focus on a discrete project so you have something to take home, and each class has a specific set of skills that project is intended to teach. Our goal is always getting you working hands on as soon as possible.

  • The easiest way to get here is to head south on Wake Forest Rd. Right after merging onto Capital Blvd the first right turn puts you in our parking lot. We are right after Compost Now in Suite 18, look for an orange decal on our front door.

  • We have all required personal protection gear on hand for class, but feel free to bring any you own. In the long term it’s nice to have your own safety glasses, ear protection, etc.

  • Closed toed shoes are required and we strongly advise clothing made from natural materials. Cotton is best. Man made materials tend to melt and stick when exposed to high heat or an open flame.

  • After the introduction, feel free to look at any classes that interest you. Also, after your first class you are cleared to come back for open studio time and use the tools you have been introduced to. We hope you will use open studio times to practice or work on a project you have in mind. Open time is an important part of our program and critical to refining the new skills you learned in class.

  • Absolutely, you are never on your own in our shop. Someone is always around to get you started and help with minor questions, we consider occasional help and check-ins during open time as part of our program. If you need in-depth help that is beyond the scope of open studio time we can set up personal consultation times by emailing us.

  • Leftover metal in our scrap bin is always available for free and can usually accommodate you when you are just looking to practice. We curate unused metal from classes to keep good practice material available. For larger projects we have mild steel in most common dimensions and multiple alloys of carbon steel fit for knives or tools. If you need something specific and we don't have it in stock we can order it for you which usually takes one week. You are also free to bring in your own material.

  • We love groups and can tailor classes to your needs, click HERE for more information. We have a number of formats to best suit your group, time, and budget.

  • We have specialty classes for ages 10-13 available. We require a parent or guardian to take the class with them. This class is the same as our forging intro, tailored for a smaller crowd. If you have multiple participants ranging both younger and older than 14 bring everyone to the youth forging class and we can work to meet everyone’s needs

    Look for the next available Parent Child Blacksmithing class!

Build something together!