A ferociously hot fire, molten metal and an eye for art. That's what Brett Moten offers with Infinity Forge in west Reno. After 20 years as a farrier in the Reno Tahoe area, he has transferred his attention to the art of blacksmithing.Â
"I loved what I did but I really wanted to use those skills and make things with more permanence, with more of an artistic record. And there is a renaissance  in blacksmithing in California and across the country. So I figured this is a good time," Moten says.
During the week he works on his own projects but on Monday and Wednesday evenings he opens the forge for others to come and learn. He has two forges all fired up, a conductive heater, and every tool you could ever imagine. In fact most of the tools there were made there.Â
"Blacksmithing is known as the king of the crafts because we make all the tools everyone else needs. From hammers and picks to needles for sewing," he says.Â
And he says he's seeing some real interest in the hobby.
"These are all artisans in their own right. They come in to work on their own projects or maybe they need help with them. That's where I come in, I have the skills and the tools and all the supplies."
Jack Cochran was a jeweler in town for 35 years and was just curious about how it worked.
"I came in for that first lesson and I was hooked. And that was three years ago," Cochran says.
So what do they make? Everything from coat hooks to grills, frames to trivets, artistic dragonheads to BBQ utensils.Â
It's $50 a session. They meet Monday and Wednesday evenings at Infinity Forge on Dickerson Road in West Reno. You can find more information at www.infinityforgeinc.comÂ
