An unlikely celebrity has turned his love for blacksmithing into an exciting new learning experience.
“We play with fire! Everything is hot and you get to mash metal with a hammer!”, jokes Rich Greenwood, a professional bladesmith.
Rich, along with fellow blacksmiths Liz Cameron and Pete Brown, brought their passion to the public by opening Desert Metal Craft, the Southwest’s only school dedicated to teaching the ancient art of blacksmithing together with the modern science behind the craft of metalworking.
Rich has quite a pedigree in the blacksmithing world, with customers from all around the country purchasing his work. And, if he looks familiar, you might recognize him as a contestant on the premiere episode of History Channel’s smash-hit television series, “Forged in Fire”. Thanks to that show, bladesmithing has become as red-hot as the raw metal being pulled from DMC’s furnace. “I think [Forged in Fire] sparked a lot of people’s interest in bladesmithing, blacksmithing and all types of metal work.”
His passion for the craft of metal working is unmistakable, but he’s quick to point out there is so much more that goes into this ancient art. Dedication, metallurgy, hard work, and an artistic eye rank among the top.
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Courses at Desert Metal Craft are designed for all age and skill levels, and taught by a team of experienced blacksmiths, metal workers, artists and metallurgists drawn from the Tucson community. From time to time, guest instructors are even brought in from across the United States and around the world. The level of expertise and craft mastery available to students is unparalleled.
Desert Metal Craft is all-inclusive, and welcomes anyone interested in learning, but make sure you come ready to get your hands dirty. Rich is a strong believer in the hands-on method of learning and teaching. “I never make a mistake – I either succeed or learn.” But he also stresses, “the most important thing is that people come in and have a good time!” So let the hammers swing and the anvils ring!
For more information or to enroll in a class at Desert Metal Craft, click here.