Cori Messenger
Cori is a 28-year-old blacksmith and artist living in Oregon. She’s been shaping metal since she was 11, growing up on a farm where she learned the value of hard work and craftsmanship. Now, she combines her love for blacksmithing with her artistic side, creating everything from functional tools to one-of-a-kind pieces of art. Working with a wood-fired forge, Cori is always experimenting, pushing her skills, and finding new ways to blend practicality with creativity. For her, blacksmithing is more than just a craft—it’s a way to express herself, and she’s constantly learning and growing in both the technical and artistic sides of the trade. Every piece she creates is a reflection of her passion and dedication to the art of blacksmithing.
Artist Blacksmith
Wood-Fired Forges
Cori’s blacksmithing journey began as a young teenager when she first learned the craft at the Philip Foster Farm historical site. After gaining foundational skills there, her father designed the first version of Whitlox wood-fired forge, which became the cornerstone of their family’s blacksmithing legacy. The Whitlox forges played a key role in Cori’s development as a blacksmith, and she continued to refine her skills using the very forge her family created.
Now, Cori is launching her own blacksmithing business, Messenger Forge, while still working with the same wood-fired forge her family designed. Her new venture marks an exciting new chapter, yet she remains deeply connected to the traditions and craftsmanship that shaped her journey.
