Our Classes and Workshops – Three Creeks Farm

Upcoming Classes

If you’re interested in being emailed when we post new classes, please subscribe to the class newsletter here. Classes fill extremely quickly (sometimes within hours of being posted) so signing up for the newsletter is your best chance at grabbing a slot.

July classes

August classes

Some classes are seasonal and/or only offered once or twice a year but below you’ll find a listing of core classes offered at Three Creeks Farm in Charlotte, TN throughout much of the year. We do offer private classes depending on availability for the core classes listed below if you have a group of at least four students — please contact us at tn3creeksfarm@yahoo.com for private class availability.

Blacksmith Classes

Beginning Blacksmithing

Our beginners class gives you a basic history of blacksmithing and introduces you to the tools of the trade. You’ll learn basic techniques such as drawing out, twisting, cutting, and shaping. Each beginning student will work on 1 or 2 pieces during the class usually a decorative hook or similar item that they finish and take home. All materials, supplies, and tools are included in the class fee.

Class length: 3 hours

Maximum number of students is 4.

Instructor: Steve Shafer

Intermediate Blacksmithing
This class will focus on splitting and shaping techniques. Students will forge a fire poker or a heart hook. All materials and tools are furnished. Must have either attend the beginner’s class or have prior blacksmithing knowledge.

Instructor: Steve Shafer

Class length 3 hrs.

Maximum number of students is 4.

Advanced Blacksmithing

This class will focus on decorative functional items. Students will learn to make leaves, garden ornaments and candle holders. Must have either attend both the beginner’s class or have prior blacksmithing knowledge.

Instructor: Steve Shafer

Class length 3 hrs.

Maximum number of students is 4.

Additional topical classes are also offered from time to include including knife making, railroad spike ax making, tong making, forging with charcoal and other topics.

Soap Making Classes

Beginning Soap Making

You’ll learn all the basics of making your own handmade soap in this class, with each student making their own batch of soap to take home. This beginning soapmaking class focuses on the cold process soap making method and students will have the chance to choose between fragrance oils and essential oils (or no fragrance at all) when crafting their soapy creations.

The first half of this class will focus on the science and safety of making your own soap; the second half of class will see each student make a 1 lb. batch of soap (about 4-5 bars). The class fee includes all ingredients as well as a reusable 1 lb. silicon soap mold that each student gets to use and take home and keep.

Instructor: Seth Shafer

Class length 3 hrs.

Maximum number of students is 5.

Intermediate Soap Making

Our Intermediate soap making class builds on the basics learned in the Beginning class, with students learning how to make hot process soap using a crock pot as well as how to incorporate goat milk (and other types of milk) into their soap recipes.

We’ll delve deeper into using colorants in your soaps (as well as additives such as exfoliants and herbs) and dig deeper into using soap recipe calculators to customize and create your own soap recipes in a variety of batch sizes.

The batches we make during class will be 5 lb recipes, giving students experience with working with larger batches as well as additional practice mixing up lye solution and weighing and measuring out all oils and butters.

Instructor: Seth Shafer

Class length 3 hrs.

Maximum number of students is 5.