Blacksmithing I

Jody Osentoski is a metalsmith and blacksmith whose artistic journey began with jewelry making, forging, and raising nonferrous metals such as copper and silver. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Jody earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Metalsmithing and Sculpture in 2002. During that time, a course in pattern welding and steel forging—taught by a local blacksmith—sparked a lifelong passion for working with steel. Since then, Jody has continued to expand their craft, becoming a member of the American Bladesmith Society in 2017 after completing the apprentice course and the organization’s handles and guards program. Their work reflects a deep appreciation for the unique properties of steel and its potential to become both tool and art. Drawn to the intersection of function and beauty, Jody creates tools and forged objects that are meant to be well loved and well used—pieces that embody craftsmanship, purpose, and aesthetic integrity. As an instructor, Jody brings this same philosophy to the classroom, encouraging students to explore material, form, and the balance between utility and art.