Earth Glass Machine
Your Guide To All Things Industrial Arts
Learn To Work With Earth, Glass, Machine, and Metal
In these guides, we collect the expertise of our 150+ faculty and master craftspeople to share with anyone interested in learning how to make their own objects by hand. Explore our 19 industrial art departments. The Crucible is the largest industrial arts nonprofit in the country, where we offer classes and studio time in 19+ areas. In these guides, we break down our studio areas and focus on sharing the knowledge of our instructors with you. You can explore our guides, defined by our four main areas: Earth, Glass, Metal, and Machine.
How to Forge a Knife: Guide to Forging Knives
Learn how to forge a knife and become a bladesmith with this 9-step guide that walks you through knife forging in a blacksmithing shop....
Blacksmithing
Learn the basics of how to start blacksmithing in this introduction to becoming a blacksmith and setting up your own blacksmith shop....
Bladesmithing
This guide will show you exactly how to start bladesmithing—from the fundamentals to exactly what tools you need to become a bladesmith....
5 Blacksmithing Projects for Beginners to Learn
Start blacksmithing with these 5 projects for beginning blacksmiths. You can forge spoons, forks, hooks, and more in the smithy....
Forge Welding 101: Beginners Guide To Forge Welding
Learn how to forge a knife and become a bladesmith with this 9-step guide that walks you through knife forging in a blacksmithing shop....
Lampworking Supplies & Tools | Flameworking Supply Guide
Learn exactly what tools and supplies you need to start lampworking. Get the inside scoop on our Flameworking Department's favorite tools....
Lampworking 101: Guide to Glass Lampworking & Flameworking
Learn exactly what techniques you to learn and how to start lampworking. Get the inside scoop on our Flameworking Department's favorite tips....
Guide to Glass Slumping: How to Slump Glass in 5 Steps
Learn exactly what tools and supplies you need to start slumping glass. Get the inside scoop from our Glass Fusing & Slumping Department....
Blacksmithing Forge 101: How To Make Forges At Home
Learn how to build your own blacksmithing forge and become a blacksmith with this step-by-step guide....
Glass Fusing Guide | Fused Glass Explained
Learn exactly what tools and supplies you need to start fusing glass. Get the inside scoop from our Glass Fusing & Slumping Department....
Guide to Handbuilding Pottery
Learn exactly what tools and supplies you need to start handbuilding pottery. Get the inside scoop from our Ceramics Department....
Welding 101: The Comprehensive Online Guide
Learn the basics of how to start welding in this introduction to four types of welding....
Guide to Ceramics: Types, Materials, & How-To Learn
There are many different types of pottery and ways to learn ceramics. Here, we outline different types of clay and how to learn ceramics....
How To Glaze Pottery: Guide To Ceramics Glazing | The Crucible
This step-by-step guide covers how to glaze ceramics in a traditional and DIY kiln, along with different types of glazes and their uses....
History of Welding: A Brief History
The origins of welding can be traced back thousands of years. Here, we cover the history from the Bronze age to the modern-day....
Understanding the Different Types of Welding
There are many different types of welding to choose from, each with specific practical applications. Here, we cover the basics and more....
Bike Maintenance Guide
Understanding bike maintenance and having a safe mode of transportation is more important than ever. Read on to learn the basics and more....
Bike Repair Guide
Make sure you are ready for anything by being armed with bike repair knowledge! We cover how to fix a chain, a flat tube, and more....
Leatherworking 101: A how-to guide to learning leather crafting
Learn how to start leatherworking in this essential guide that covers the different types of leather, basic skills, project ideas, and more....
Guide to Jewelry Making
Learn how to start making jewelry, including key techniques, materials, steps, studio set-up, where to learn, and more....
Guide To Vitreous Enamel Vitreous Enamel 101: Definition, Process, & How To Learn
Learn vitreous enameling by fusing glass to metal at high heat, and enamel everything from from precious jewelry to industrial bathtubs!...
TIG Welding 101: Everything You Need To Know Before Learning TIG Welding
Learn the basics of how to start TIG welding in this introduction to how it works, the process, resources, and more....
MIG Welding 101: Everything You Need To Know Before Learning MIG Welding
Learn the basics of how to start MIG welding in this introduction to how it works, the process, resources, and more....
Guide To Sword Making: Learn How To Forge A Sword
This guide will show you exactly how to forge your own sword—from exactly what tools you need to the history of sword making....
Woodworking 101: A Beginners Guide to Getting Started
This guide will show you exactly how to start woodworking—from the fundamentals to exactly what tools you need to become a woodworker....
Beginners Guide to Indigo Dyeing
Start indigo dyeing with this essential guide that covers the different types of indigo vats, fabric to dye, and how to mix a vat....
Metalworking 101: The Basics of Metalworking
In this beginner's guide to working with metal, learn everything you wanted to know about metalworking from techniques to how to get started....
Beginners Guide to Metal Casting
Learn everything you wanted to know about metal casting from types of molds to different casting methods....
Glass Casting 101: Process and Techniques
Learn how to create molds and cast your own glass work of art. Get the inside scoop from our Glass Casting & Coldworking Department....
16 Blacksmithing Techniques
Learn how to build your own blacksmithing forge and become a blacksmith with this step-by-step guide....
Woodworking Techniques & Tips for Beginners
This guide will show you exactly how to start woodworking—from the fundamentals to exactly what tools you need to become a woodworker....
Woodworking Finishing Techniques
In this guide, we cover the essential woodworking finishing techniques that you need to finish your woodworking projects....
What is Machining? Intro To Machine Shop Processes & Tools
In this comprehensive guide, we cover exactly what machining is, key techniques, how to learn, and machining processes....
What Is A Machinist & What Do Machinists Do? The Crucible
Machinists create precise parts for mechanical equipment. This guide covers what machinists do and the big-picture of being a machinist....
Lost Wax Casting Guide
Learn the different types of lost wax casting, from metals to glass, and how to get started in this beginner's guide to lost wax casting....
How To Make Pottery At Home: Materials, Equipment, & Steps
There are many different types of pottery and ways to learn ceramics. Here, we outline different types of clay and how to learn ceramics....
Bronze Casting 101: Process of Casting Bronze [+How To Learn]
Learn the different uses for bronze casting in foundry and jewelry making, and how to get started in this beginner's guide to bronze casting....
Foundries 101: What Is A Foundry? What Foundry Workers Do?
Have you wondered what a foundry does? Learn the difference between ferrous and non-ferrous metals and how to start a foundry career....
Power Hammers 101: How To Use a Power Hammer
Learn how to work with power hammers and how they work in this introductory guide to blacksmithing with a power hammer....
Guide To Enameling: Learn Different Types & Techniques for Enamel Art
Learn the essential common enameling techniques, how to start, and what you create with enameling, from jewelry to bathtubs!...
Guide to Ceramic Wheel Throwing
Learn exactly what tools and supplies you need to start wheel throwing pottery. Get the inside scoop from our Ceramics Department....
Everything You Need to Know About Lathes
This guide covers what lathe machines do, different, types, and how to learn to use a lathe....
Want to Learn Something You Don’t See Here?
The Crucible’s Guides are a work in progress. We are constantly working to provide the most up-to-date, informative guides to the industrial arts. Let us know what guides you would like to see by filling out the form below.
Ready to get started?
The Crucible has new classes offered weekly.
Throwing in Sections
In this intermediate to advanced class we will explore throwing large forms in parts on the wheel using measurements and heat to assemble a large pot! Students will then return the...
Stone Carving II
In this focused class, students will recreate a leaf in limestone using mallet and chisels. They will start by making a basic model of a leaf in wet clay to show depth and movement...
Youth Mexican Tin Art
Learn how to create tin art inspired by repujado and hojalata done in Mexico. After a brief history of the tradtional cultural practice and demonstration of techniques, emboss your...
Pate-de-Verre Ornaments
One of the earliest techniques of glass manipulation, pâte-de-verre or “paste of glass” is a versatile kiln casting technique that uses glass paste. In this ornament focused...
3-Hour Taster: Framed Milagros
Design and fabricate framed Milagros inspired by traditional Mexican artwork and iconography. Create metal imagery like hearts, hands, and nature honoring the special moments in...
Ceramic Ornaments
Glaze your own ornaments to give to your loved ones! You will select three pre-fired ornaments to paint and glaze, learning about glazing techniques and color application. After...
Kiln Cast Glass Sculpture
Create one of a kind glass sculpture using wet clay. We will use ceramic sculpting techniques to create a solid shape that will be transformed into glass. Learn the basic skills...
Sand Blasting Imagery on Glass
Come learn some of the many ways we can use the sandblaster to etch images onto glass. In this three week intensive you will learn design principles for transferring images onto...
Youth Chibi: Miniature Figurines Weekend
Learn the basics of preparing, shaping, sculpting, cane making, and baking polymer clay. Use brightly colored clay to make small sculptures known as chibis, incorporating them into...
Youth Sandblasting
In this fun class you will use the Crucible cold shop to etch onto your own glass dishes and drink ware. You will learn to express your ideas in graphic images, how to hand and...
Exploration in Sand Casting
Learn the art of creating sand molds for casting hot glass into solid glass sculptures. Students explore various ways to work with ladle-cast glass, including using graphite blocks...
Pate-de-Verre Glass Bowls
One of the earliest techniques of glass manipulation, Pate-de-verre or “paste of glass,” is a versatile kiln casting technique that uses glass particles, mixed with a binder, and...
Lost Wax Kiln Cast Glass Sculpture
Make sculptural glass forms using the versatile lost wax technique. We will create a wax sculpture and cover it with refractory material to make our mold. The mold will be de-waxed...
20 Shades of Grey: Medieval Enameling Techniques
Often associated with medieval French enameling, grisaille (grey) is the application of white enamel to a black enamel background, creating halftones and shading. Light areas of...
Youth Glass Beads, Bugs, and Monsters!
Students will be taken on a journey to explore colorful glass beads, bugs, and monsters with crazy eyes and wacky facial expressions, using an oxy-propane torch. We will cover bead...