Fold forming fun

I don't know about you but I am a member of many Facebook groups, one of them being the Aspiring Metalsmiths page. What I love about this page is the vast knowledge of the members and their willingness to share. One such post I came across recently was a tutorial on how to fold form a leaf by Al Martinez. As soon as I saw it I wanted to give it a try and I thought I would share how I got on! Now I did not do everything exactly how Al explained (everyone knows I can't follow a tutorial) and I did not have all the right tools/skills so a lot of it I 'winged' but if you are interested in learning more I urge you to join the group and search the page for Al Martinez, the tutorial is a post dated 25th October so you may well have to scroll back a while but it is very much worth the effort, his work is amazing!

• First off I cut my 0.8mm copper sheet (approx 21 gauge?) with a nice heavy duty pair of scissors (you could do this with a saw but it would take much longer and I for one can't saw in a straight line!)
• Next I hammered the edges and the corners flat to minimise the risk of cutting myself, those edges are really shape so please be careful!
• using the straight edge of my Anvil/bench peg I bent the metal to a 90 degree angle
• and then using my hands I bent the metal over 

• At this point my metal was very stiff so I used my Butane torch to anneal the metal (one thing I found was that I needed to anneal my metal alot more then in the tutorial, I put this down to my rather girly muscles and pitifully light weight hammer)
• After annealing hammer the metal flat

• Here is where Al draws his design onto the metal, which I found an utter pain! I can't draw in sharpie and made so many errors it just looked like a scribble, so I drew my design with my trusty Biro onto a sticky address label (or six) and then just stuck that on
• Then slowly and steadily saw out the leaf and peal off the sticker
• Hammer to add texture (Al shares a really cool way to hammer the leaf so that it curves) if the leaf gets hard and you want more texture anneal and continue hammering until you are happy with the effect 

• When you are happy with your hammering (great way to rid your self of stress) Gently prize the leaf open, here I used an old screw driver 
• Then anneal again to make it easier to open, once cool use the edge of the bench peg to open the leaf further, then place it onto the anvil and gently hammer the seem to flatten the leaf out

• At this point you can add more texture with your hammer or move different parts of the leaf with your pliers to bend this way or that. Once happy I cleaned up the top of the leaf with some sandpaper and soldered on a heavy jump ring
• I decided I rather liked the colour of the metal so I just burnished the edges and the fold to add a bit of interest then I sealed it with some wax and added a lamp work bead with a bronze acorn cap by our fantastic Lesley and a silver chain and voila a beautiful necklace....

And these are so many ways that you can adapt this to make a truly individual piece. You could set stones on them, hammer words into them or even cut shapes out....

I hope you have enjoyed this post and if you did go check out Al's you will not be disappointed!

It's a Boondoggle!

This week, I thought I would do a 2nd attempt at kiln enameling and started cutting out a boat-load of copper shapes.  While cutting copper and dreading the epic fail I think kiln-enameling holds for me, I got distracted by some fold-formed shapes on Pinterest,  I have only touched the surface of foldforming but I have the bible...Charles Lewton-Brain's book, Foldforming.  I have done the simple folds to make cute leaves, hearts, and components like my fold-formed hoops in the newest Easy Metal publication  from Interweave, but I wanted to try something new.

Fast forward to the book and finding the page about what he calls "Boondoggle" OMG, doesn't  this take everyone back to childhood summer camp or vacation bible school?  I was intrigued and decided to play!

Remember making cord/plastic lanyards or keychains? This is the same technique, only in metal. Charles doesn't go into detail in his book about the procedure, as it is out there in  the realm, but I documented my steps. Sorry for some blurry photos :(

Materials/Tools required:
Copper sheet (I used 24g but you could go smaller)
Flat nosed pliers
2nd pair of any type of plier
hammer (any type)
rubber or rawhide mallet
small torch for annealing
steel block
metal shears

Steps 1-4

• Cut copper strip to desired length and width; shape ends if desired
• File/sand edges until smooth to touch
• Anneal with torch 
• Fold over ends
• Interlock as shown and pinch tight

Steps 5-8

• Start folding metal over onto itself
• Squeeze tightly after each fold
• Continue until there is no more left
• Once the cube gets to big for your flat nose pliers, switch to tapping with hammer

Steps 9-12

• Align the shape with hammer as necessary
• Anneal with torch and pull out tabs on the ends
• Using pliers, holding the tabs on the ends, pull apart.  Twisting as you pull adds more dimension.
• Shape on mandrel

Pickled and ready for use!

As you see, I didn't quite have enough to complete a bangle bracelet, but think I will add chain and a clasp!  I really like it and think smaller segments for earring components would be very cool! So many possibilities.

Go have fun!

Sharpening the Saw

I've made no secret of my love for both metal and enamels, and I am especially enamored of what happens when the two come together. I recently came across some work that exemplifies the potential of these two mediums, and they've inspired me to pursue additional training to beef up my ability to translate what I sometimes see in my head to reality in metal and glass.

Annie Grimes Williams

Ed Lay

Katie Schutte

Kim Lucci Elbualy

Sarah Perkins

The level of skill and expertise evident in these works just blows my mind - sometimes, I'll be doing something mundane (dishes, laundry, etc.) and realize that I've been attempting to take these works apart in my head and decipher the processes. I'm starting to plan for 2015 (it's unreal that 2014 has gone so quickly - wow) and trying to set aside time to take part in a few in-depth workshops. Some of the folks I'd love to study with include Linda Darty, who wrote the definitive book on the art of enameling; Ruth Ball, a British enamelist and one of my first enameling "loves" who recently branched out into larger scale enameling installations; and Charles Lewton-Brain, the "father" of fold forming. I'm going to have the opportunity to host a workshop with the amazing Barbara Minor this December, which I am eagerly looking forward to, and I am stalking the Arrowmont, Center for Metal Arts, Campbell Folk School, and Thompson Enamel websites for workshops I'd like to take. I'm even daydreaming about a trip to the UK to study with Ruth - wouldn't that be a kick??

So what about you? As you're planning for 2015, how will you build in time to "sharpen the saw" in your skill set?

Until next time -
Francesca

Playing!

I love playing!  Sitting down at my jewelry work area (usually, my kitchen table) without any deadlines or projects that have to be done are usually the most creative times.  I look at what is laying around and pick something up and inspiration hits...or not!  In a previous post, I talked about letting yourself get side-tracked and stepping away from the projects at hand and just letting the creative process happen.

About a month ago, as I was getting ready for a show, I decided not to focus on all the production work that really needed to be done, but to just sit down and play.  I had some copper sheet on the table, so I decided to play with some simple fold forming.  I have Charles Lewton-Brain's book, "Fold Forming" and love it, but haven't delved very deeply into it.

I didn't document my whole process but took a few photos along the way for my facebook page.

Here are the shapes after being tortured into submission!

I really didn't know what I was going to make out of these pieces, so they laid on my table for a few days!  They were sort of big for pendants, so I decided to make fibulas!

All clean! Ready for LOS and tumbling.

The holes and curve were the hardest part.  I started with smaller punches, but decided to go larger.  The pins started as 14 gauge wire, but they ended up not being as strong as I wanted, so I went up to 12 gauge.  I used my bracelet mandrel to give them a slight curve.

They cleaned up nicely!  I actually sold one at my show that weekend and have the others in my shop.

I think they turned out great and I will definitely be making some more...I really want to delve into this technique and get more "outside the box" with it.

If I had just focused on "okay, I need to make 20 more pairs of earrings" instead of "okay, I am going to play today" these babies would have never been born!

So, go take a day off and play!!


Melissa Meman
Melismatic Art Jewelry
Art. Life. Love.

Books - under your tree?

Hello, my name is Jenny and I am a bookaholic. I have a Kindle -  I am moving into the current technological age... but some books are meant to be handled, fondled, browsed, and treasured. My in-laws are finally adjusted to the fact that books thrill me for Christmas gifts. For years they would get things from my wish list and then worry I would be disappointed with books under the tree. Nothing better than spending Boxing Day ( Dec 26th) curled up, coffee in hand, sleepy dog at my feet - and a brand new book.

Here are some favorites from my fellow AJE team members, and some we wish were under our tree....

The History of Beads : From 30,000 B.C. to the Present - we all all creating in a form that dates back to the dawn of man, and woman. It is fascinating to see the beads evolve through time, and yet stay universal...

The Penland Book of Jewelry: Master Classes in Jewelry Techniques 

I had the good fortune to study Ceramics at Penland one summer. I would recommend the experience to anyone serious in their medium. It is a transformative experience. And you are taught by the best in their fields...

Enchanted Adornments  by Cynthia Thornton

I have this book, and I love it! Cynthia works magic in a variety of mediums. Inspirational and inventive!

 The New Encyclopedia of Jewelry-Making Techniques: A Comprehensive Visual Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Techniques
 Recommended by AJE team member Lesley Watt - this one looks interesting!







PMC Technic: A Collection of Techniques for Precious Metal Clay by Tim McCreight - also recommended by Lesley - McCreight is a moderm master! Metalsmith who embraced precious metal clays...

Heat, Color, Set & Fire: Surface Effects for Metal Jewelry by Mary Hettmansperger   I personally recommend this book, and I know its on team mate Francesca Watson's wish list!  Phenomenal ideas for patinas, color applications - a must in my mixed media studio. 

The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry by Kate McKinnon - highly recommended by Francesca!















Creative Bead Weaving: A Contemporary Guide To Classic Off-Loom Stitches by Carol Wilcox Wells - I am not a seed beader, but this looks to be a comprehensive tome!

Masters: Beadweaving: Major Works by Leading Artists - also by Carol Wilcox Wells - a seed bead book of eye candy and inspiration. 

500 Raku: Bold Explorations of a Dynamic Ceramics Technique  - recommended by AJE team mate Karen Totten - although not beads or jewelry - a very inspirational book! I personally love the entire 500 series that Lark books publishes!









1000 Glass Beads: Innovation & Imagination in Contemporary Glass Beadmaking - eye candy of the lampwork variety. I find books or fellow artists work very inspiration, as a jumping off point, of course - not to be derivative, but to be inspired and put MY spin on things...

The Art of Enameling: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration by Linda Darty - a gorgeous comprehensive book on traditional enameling techniques. 

Amulets and Talismans: Simple Techniques for Creating Meaningful Jewelry by Robert Dancik - Confession - This is the most "my style" on the list. I have worked with Robert before, I create with similar goals in mind, creating talismans with meaning and intention. So yes - I am a little biased. 

Foldforming by Charles Newton-Brain
From Francesca's book shelf! I know many metal workers who are using this technique to amazing ends!

So what books do you think YOU would like to see under the tree? 

Disclaimer: I am receiving no special consideration from Amazon or the authors mentioned here. No money, free loot, jewelry, or thanks and appreciation. I simply love books!

And please feel free to browse our shops. As the season starts today with Black Friday we have many sales and tempting treasures... You can find all the details at our Holiday Open House page.