I graduated from college two years ago and am in the process of moving to Chicago. This is the first time since Ive graduated that Ive had a living situation permanent enough to consider putting a forge together. While in school I worked quite a bit with metal (welding, cutting, bending (both hot and cold)) and since then Ive read quite a bit (both in print online) about forges and blacksmithing techniques.
And while the internet is a wonderful tool and I think Ive learned quite a bit, i still have never actually hit a piece of hot iron with a hammer. Right now Im perfectly content to just play around and teach myself, but it might be nice to have some real live people to talk to as I start this process.
So the point of this rather long question is do any of you know of any Chicago-area blacksmithing groups/societies, or of any Chicago area blacksmiths who might be willing to give me a few pointers?