About Ravensmiths
We are Bill Wiedemer, Sherry Kessler and Suzi Swanson and Suzie Kessler.
Bill has over 40+ years experience blacksmithing, Sherry been at it 12 + years and Suzi 10 + and our newest apprentice Suzie (daughter of Sherry) started helping and doing Demo's with mom at the Texas Renaissance Festival.
We create hand forged items from campfire sets to arbors and railings. We use old world methods including a 200+ year old bellows, 18th century forge, traditional tools and anvil.
We welcome any custom work and love a challenge.
We can make primitive, modern and fantasy items.
If you can imagine it we can make it!
As Many of you may know Sherry (Hammer) was diagnoised with Esophgus cancer in July of 2018.
We are happy to report she has finished treatment and will be rejoining the crew at the Sherwood Forest Faire and she is Cancer FREE!
Still has a lot of recovering to do but we are very happy to have her back.
Where Are We?
For the 2019 year we have the following events lined up.
March 2- April 23
Sherwood Forest Faire
McDade, TX
Our Shop is between the Joust & The 3 Stags Pub
April 26-29
Texas International Archery Festival
Sherwood Forest Faire
McDade, TX
We are then home for a couple of weeks to restock the tables.
We split up for a while in June & July.
Bill goes to Kentucky for the
Kentucky Renaissance Festival
Sherry & Suzi do some Rendezvous.
May 24-27
Cannon Falls Black Power Rendezvous
Cannon Falls, MN
July 3-7
4 Moons Rendezvous in Gary, SD
July 24-29?
Forts Folle Avione Rendezvous in Danbury, WI
Oct 5- Dec 1
Texas Renaissance Festival
Todd Mission, TX
We are in the main Blacksmiths shop to the left of the front gate.
What We Do!
We set up our old world blacksmith shop at a varied assortment of events from Renaissance Festivals, Pre 1840 Rendezvous, Pirate Festivals, County Fairs, Schools, Etc.. as well as Teach classes at our home shop and on location for groups and schools.
We love to do events that bring in school age kids to learn about the trade. If you have an event looking for a blacksmith please contact us we are always interested in new adventures.
We bring old world skills as well as a fun show to whatever event we do and Yes we ARRRR pirates.