Fall Hammer-In October 16–18, 2026
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Our demonstrator for the Fall Hammer-In is Ian McCarthy:
Ian is a Connecticut based artist blacksmith/coppersmith that has been studying forging and traditional metalwork for the past decade. He runs and works out of the Ct Antique Machinery Association “George C Lay” blacksmith shop in Kent Ct with a shop focus on small batch hand forged cookware and tool making combining simple forging techniques with sculptural ideas to create functional and decorative work for the kitchen both in steel and copper.
In recent years his work has moved more towards raised copper vessels. A process of transforming a flat sheet of metal into a vertical hollow vessel through repeated controlled hammer blows. He works primarily with Japanese style raising hammers and stakes, a style of working that lends itself to the blacksmith with the forging of the tools being just as important as the finished copperwork.
In addition to his own shop practice he volunteers his time doing public demonstrations at various museums in Connecticut as well as teaching forging and raising workshops at crafts schools around the northeast.
The weekend demonstration will include hammer raising of copper vessels, showing various processes and techniques across a couple different vessels, and forging of Japanese style raising tools.
Hand wiped tin lining and simple patinas will be demonstrated time permiting.
In recent years his work has moved more towards raised copper vessels. A process of transforming a flat sheet of metal into a vertical hollow vessel through repeated controlled hammer blows. He works primarily with Japanese style raising hammers and stakes, a style of working that lends itself to the blacksmith with the forging of the tools being just as important as the finished copperwork.
In addition to his own shop practice he volunteers his time doing public demonstrations at various museums in Connecticut as well as teaching forging and raising workshops at crafts schools around the northeast.
The weekend demonstration will include hammer raising of copper vessels, showing various processes and techniques across a couple different vessels, and forging of Japanese style raising tools.
Hand wiped tin lining and simple patinas will be demonstrated time permiting.
A Few Examples of Ian's Work:
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