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Arian's Forge

Contact name: Arian Leljak
99
Total bookings
Rating
(44)
about 3 years
with CraftCourses

Maker's bio

Arian is an experiential educator, blacksmith and a knife-maker with over 20 years of experience in facilitating craft workshops in different contexts. He is a trained teacher and has worked with adults and children in public and school settings, craft camps, and has contributed to professional trainings and conferences on experiential education in UK, Sweden and USA. He has trained with famous Swedish Axe makers at Gransfors Bruks, and is inspired by the indigenous Scandinavian Sami craft and knife-making. Arian’s passion is in enabling participants’ personal expression and new learning through the art and craft of working with fire and iron. In his course facilitation Arian prioritises individual participants’ interests and choices, as well as appreciation of the craft process and the nature of the material we work with. He has developed an accessible, tangible and hands-on course structure enabling full participation, learning and ownership in order to provide a personally engaging, meaningful and fulfilling experience for participants.

Courses, kits & gifts

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Blacksmithing experience day
1 day
Next date: 6th Sep 2025
2 places left

Recent reviews

All maker's reviews
21 Jul 25'

Bridget reviewed: Blacksmithing experience day

"What a brilliant day we had! Arian was patient and explained the process well. From starting off thinking will we manage to make something to coming home with finished projects was way beyond our expectations. The pace was perfect and I for one, think I will try to do some blacksmithing at home - it now feels very achievable!"

Arian's Forge responded:

"Hi Bridget, thank you for your review. It was a great pleasure to meet you and your friends. Such a fun and creative day I thought. And I'm particularly delighted you feel inspired and confident to have a go at home: that's the spirit. If I can be of any help as you set up and try things I'd be more than happy to support with advice or anything else. Thanks again and best wishes, Arian"

13 Jul 25'

Sean Bainbridge reviewed: Blacksmithing experience day

"Excellent course, really good value for money I thought, and Arian was a great teacher, I'd like to go back and do another one! Many thanks, Sean "

Arian's Forge responded:

"Thank you Sean, really pleased you enjoyed the course. Always welcome back! Many thanks, Arian"

6 Jul 25'

Paul reviewed: Blacksmithing experience day

"This was a brilliant day. Arian firstly showed us the basics of blacksmithing and we then practised the techniques to produce a sample piece. There were four of us on the workshop and we each had an anvil. There were two forges and so there was no queueing for anvil/forge. Having made our sample pieces we then decided on our main project of the day. What was great about this day was we were able to decide on the object. I chose to make a pair of tongs and the other three people chose quite different products. Arian was very supportive in us choosing what we wanted to make and gave valuable advice throughout. The split between talk and learning through doing was just right. The refreshments provided through the day were very welcome. I appreciated that the workshop didn't finish on the dot at 4.30 but we were able to continue to complete our projects. To summarise - thank you Arian for a really enjoyable day when you taught us a number of techniques and for your patience when things didn't quite go to plan."

Arian's Forge responded:

"Kind thanks Paul for this thoughtful review. I'm really glad that you managed to complete your chosen project, and I hope the fire tongs will serve you for years to come. Yes, as you say, I enjoy supporting the participants to come up with their own ideas and designs, based on an introductory set of skills and techniques. Thank you again, and you're welcome back any time ! "

15 Jun 25'

Sara reviewed: Blacksmithing experience day

"Brilliant day, highly recommended. We had no prior experience in a forge but Arian taught us all the basics. Husband made a poker, and i made a candle holder, as well as a fancy hook each. "

Arian's Forge responded:

"Thank you very much for this review Sara. It was great to meet you and Mike, wishing you many candle lit dinners! Arian"