Fold Forming Projects

A few days ago I mentioned a friend and I were working with copper and trying our hand at fold forming. It's been so much fun, and no smashed fingers yet! This pendant is not finished, but it is looking good. There are scratches that need to be sanded and then patina to be applied. This photo taken with my phone looks pretty large here; the pendant measures 1-1/2" x 2-1/4".

I visited the local jewelry supply store last week because my liver of sulfur was no longer working.  I'm referring to the small chunks in a can and you use only a small piece in warm water.  Well, they told me they no longer carry the can with the chunks ... there is a new product for us to try, liver of sulfur in a liquid form that is supposed to last a long time. We experimented a little yesterday, but my piece doesn't want to be dipped yet.

I worked on this heart wall hanging yesterday and finished it today.  The center heart is raised about 1/4" with cut tube pieces and is attached to the bottom piece with rivets.  Then the little bird's nest with turquoise beads added a nice touch. The coiled hanger is done with "The Coiling Gizmo". This simple gadget is amazing and so easy to use!   Do you have one?

All the coloring on this piece was done with the torch.

Foldforming Copper

What a fun day my friend and I had today! We've been working with copper, not only because it so inexpensive, but also because the end result is so beautiful. We both like Southwest designs and made a couple of pieces that really were successful. And we were going to continue with the same theme today.

HOWEVER .... when she arrived and sat down, she saw the book I left out for her, "Foldforming" by Charles Lewton-Brain.  That was it, that became the plan for the day.  Do you know anything about foldforming?  Please visit this website NOW.  It will excite you.  You will buy copper sheet.  You will buy hammers.  You will buy a torch.  And, of course, you will buy the book!  The book is beautiful, it is a wealth of information and worth every penny.  The website: http://www.brainpress.com/Foldforming.html

After about 6 hours of bending copper, hammering it, annealing, opening the fold, hammering it, annealing, and starting all over, my right hand started to cramp and would not stop.  We will resume our projects in a few days and will show you the end results.  My friend wants to make a folded form masterpiece to hang above her fireplace mantel.  I'm not sure just when that project will be ready ........  Mine is much smaller, a pendant.