Forging whimsy and wonder
- Anna’s approach to blacksmithing is playful and full of joy
- Her delicate and decorative forms defy expectations and often resist function
- She teaches in classes at craft schools and art centres across the USA
Anna Koplik is a New Jersey-born journeyman blacksmith and educator who discovered forging while earning her BFA in jewellery at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. She shifted fully to blacksmithing in 2015 and has never looked back. Anna is not a traditional smith, and is known for small, delicate forgings that challenge the craft’s rough stereotypes. Teaching sits at the centre of her practice. Anna runs workshops to show that blacksmithing can be accessible to all kinds of makers and to share her techniques. As a proud member of the Society of Inclusive Blacksmiths, she also helps coordinate its mentorship programme, supporting smiths worldwide.
INTERVIEW
I love the physicality of it, the feeling of swinging a hammer and seeing the material move. The heat and even the discomfort are part of it. It is intense, but also incredibly rewarding to shape something directly with your hands.
It is mostly achieved through repetition and precision. A tiny spoon with a 3 mm wire handle might give me only 20 to 30 seconds to form before it stiffens. While it heats, I plan the next moves, then forge fast, adjust and repeat over and over.
Function is something I think a lot about. Sometimes I want something to be truly useful, and sometimes I like making fun of function a little. Many people do not realise that blacksmithing can be playful.
Teaching is a huge part of who I am. I love to bring this craft to people who get intimidated by blacksmithing or who think they are not strong enough. I show them it is not about strength, it is about technique and tools. If something feels impossible, there is usually a piece of equipment that helps.
