Fold Forming Samples by Charles Lewton-Brain

Level: All Skill Levels
Requirements: Jewelry I or Equivalent
Program: Summer
Status: Open
Length: 4 Days
Tuition: TBA
Materials: TBA
Date: August 05, 2010 - August 08, 2010
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Metalwerx

Fold forming uses the metal's flexibility to make complex forms resembling chased, constructed and soldered shapes. You can rapidly achieve results is 3 - 5 minutes from single sheets of metal! The tools are simple; fingers, hammers, mallets, anvil, vise and rolling mill.

Over 4 days, through demonstration and practice, students will learn to achieve complex high-relief forms which are often possible with a single annealing. The workshop will use thin gauge copper but these techniques may be used with many metals including gold, silver, aluminum, niobium, and steel.

Fold forming structures and surfaces are applicable for jewelery, holloware, enameling, anodizing, etc. Students will focus on exploring the many possibilities this technique has to offer and can expect to create a large number of samples which can be incorporated into one's own work later on. Applying fold-forming to jewelry design will also be addressed.

Fold-forming info online http://www.brainpress.com/Foldforming.html

Materials & Tools

There is a materials fee for this class. It includes copper and other supplies used at the class. Additional copper will be available for sale as necessary at the workshop.

Metalwerx will also have hammers recommended by Charles Lewton-Brain available for purchase at the class.

Students Should Bring:

• Notebook, pens, camera for recording samples.
• Silicon carbide separating discs, and flex shaft screw mandrel for them.
• Safety goggles and ear plugs or muffs.
• Hammers and mallets if you have them. Best are forging and raising hammers.
• Exacto Knife and Blades
• Your favorite hand tools, saw, pliers, emery paper selection.