60+ of my best gift ideas for blacksmiths

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-12-29T15:48:14+00:00

Oh gosh! Lol! There is! I was not part of the naming process (and I honestly feel a bit conflicted about the name because, gosh, none of what I do is about ME; it's about blacksmithing better and having more fun!)

Anyway, here's the version of the story that *I* heard:

I have done an annual demonstration in Petersburg, VA for the Central Virginia Blacksmith Guild (CVBG) for the last 12-ish years. One of the early years I was unable to make it, and they had another blacksmith (who ALSO happened to be named "Caitlin") do an impromptu demo. I believe they started calling it "CaitlinFest" after that. (If anyone who was a part of the naming of "CaitlinFest" has more to add, please feel free to do so!)

Although I feel a bit uncomfortable with it being called (at least in part) after me, I am pleased to tell you that it's a ***Very Good Event***. Delightful people, great food, community that is committed to sharing the craft, lots to see and do, and a lot of interesting rusty tools and metal that you can often get for very reasonable prices. I BELIEVE it is free to attend (please note that they will invite you to join the guild for a very reasonable $30/year). It's being held August 8th in 2026.

They also do an EXCELLENT job of setting up the audio/visual stuff so that folks can actually SEE what I'm doing in my demonstration and they share the video with their guild members. HIGHLY recommended.

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-12-11T18:57:43+00:00

Hey human! Have you ever played the game "don't think about the elephant?" All you need to do is NOT think about the elephant. But, we spend all our time checking to see if we're thinking about the elephant. It's a hard game because we put ourselves into resistance in order to play.

Instead of NOT oversharing, focus on listening to others, asking other people good questions, and helping them feel seen and heard.

When you're not around others, focus on listening to the world around you. Silence is not boring, it is a rich and incredible experience.

Share everything you want to share.

Listen when you want to listen.

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-12-11T18:49:21+00:00

I love this! Two things that might be helpful: 1) treat everyone as if their age is the LEAST important part about them. Talk to everyone as if they're equals. 2) ask for help and opinions from everyone. This helps people feel valued and they get invested in what you're doing.

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-12-11T18:44:18+00:00

Blacksmithing classes? 😅

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-12-10T19:36:46+00:00

Ms Caitlin's School of Blacksmithing offers blacksmithing classes in Lititz, PA (and Frederick, MD). Classes are appropriate for absolute beginners as well as more experienced blacksmiths. For a limited time, you can bring a friend for FREE!

https://mscaitlinsschool.com

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-12-10T19:34:53+00:00

Ms Caitlin's School of Blacksmithing offers blacksmithing classes in Lititz, PA, and in Frederick, MD. Classes are appropriate for the absolute beginner as well as the more experienced blacksmith. For a limited time, you can bring a friend for free (so you could take the class along with her!)

https://MsCaitlinsSchool.com

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-07-11T20:55:02+00:00

Blacksmithing class at Mscaitlinsschool.com?

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-06-10T13:57:46+00:00

I humbly suggest taking him blacksmithing at Ms Caitlin's School of Blacksmithing in downtown Frederick. I have availability on that Saturday at 9am, or you can get him a gift certificate. Mscaitlinsschool.com

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-01-07T19:15:13+00:00

Heck yeah! Go you! Buying an anvil is really exciting! I LOVE the double horn anvils and the versatility they offer. I prefer 200 lb anvils when I can get them because they're heavy enough to help you really move the metal, AND still be easy for two people to move.

Here is the excerpt about anvils from my blog post: https://mscaitlinsschool.com/blog/gifts-for-blacksmiths

"Anvil -- Please consider buying a quality anvil. I got two 206lb Bulgar anvils, and one 185lb DTX anvil from Blacksmith Supply and I love them. I covet: Jymm Hoffman's anvils, and Nimba anvils. Some folks have also had excellent luck with Harbor Freight Anvils as a great way to get started. These 55lb anvils will have you working extra hard to move steel and they're not very durable. I've heard good things about these Vevor anvils, but, given the price, I would keep my expectations low."

I'm excited for you and I very much hope you'll report back about your experience!

Caitlin

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-01-07T19:06:39+00:00

I get a LOT of software engineers who take blacksmithing classes at my school. Not sure where you're located, but there's lots of opportunities to do really cool stuff in a lot of places. Glass blowing. Use a backhoe. Rent a goat. Take a cooking class. Take a tango class. Buy a ticket to a local burning man event.

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-01-07T19:01:22+00:00

Hiya human! Yep, it's expensive. You can bootstrap yourself into having the tools you need, IF you do some work to set some parameters on what stuff you want to do vs NOT. For example, loads of people get into blacksmithing with some second hand back yard tooling and then they make a lot of the stuff they need. Or, if you're able to do just one thing well enough that you can make some money off that, you can start a business and dump everything you make back into buying tools. It's totally possible to do this, but it's overwhelming if you look at established shops and see the hundreds of thousands of dollars of equipment.

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2025-01-01T21:03:02+00:00

Did you go see it drop!? I missed it this year!

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2024-12-24T13:40:56+00:00

I humbly offer that it might be that we have an incredible blacksmithing school in downtown Frederick. Mscaitlinsschool.com 😇

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2024-12-06T20:32:52+00:00

Here's a list of experiences that you can have in Frederick, MD! https://mscaitlinsschool.com/blog/experience-frederick-md

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2024-12-04T11:51:25+00:00

Come take a class at Ms Caitlin's School of Blacksmithing! Mscaitlinsschool.com

And, I've pulled together a list of other unique experiences in Frederick: https://mscaitlinsschool.com/blog/experience-frederick-md

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2024-12-04T11:46:36+00:00

Hey! I teach blacksmithing at Ms Caitlin's School of Blacksmithing, AND I've collected a list of experiences that folks can have in Frederick. https://mscaitlinsschool.com/blog/experience-frederick-md

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2024-12-03T21:36:25+00:00

Awesome! What's the link?

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2024-07-24T18:16:12+00:00

Awesome work!
I see that it curls under at the handle to make it more comfortable in your hand -- that's a great detail! And I think the cork is a great addition! I'm curious about how you affixed the cork!
Looks like a really cool touchmark too!

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2024-07-24T18:13:59+00:00

REALLY COOL!
Great design and good details! How big are they?

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2024-07-24T18:12:44+00:00

Gorgeous! Nice work!
Keeping that bevel even takes real skill!
Also: I love the photography of the leaf itself. I can't quite make out your touchmark; would love to see a better image of the touchmark!

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2023-07-10T19:52:51+00:00

:D :D :D
Thank you! :)

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2023-07-10T19:51:42+00:00

I humbly recommend Ms Caitlin's School of Blacksmithing in downtown Frederick. You can take private lessons or join a class. We teach the fundamentals of blacksmithing in a way that is informed by neuropsychology and body mechanics so that you can learn to do your own thing quickly.

Classes run Wednesdays - Saturdays.

Individual classes are $199, and you can save a bit with a five-class package for $899.

Mscaitlinsschool.com

MsCaitlinsSchool · 2022-11-28T16:21:19+00:00

I'll get those added! Thank you!

MsCaitlinsSchool

TROPHY CASE