Origami and Forging Mash-up: Copper Folding for Artists and Makers

May 11, 2010 - PRLog -- What began as a playful discovery in moving metal has become the source for an explosion of new ideas in design, jewelry and sculpture. Jeweler Charles Lewton-Brain's discovery of a new method of working sheet material is now a popular workshop at the Center for Metal Arts.

Fold forming is a new approach to metalworking which uses the metal’s plasticity and ductility to make complex forms resembling chased, constructed and soldered shapes from single sheets of metal. Radical changes in cross section are possible in as little as 3-5 minutes. A piece can be reworked and shaped, and the Center for Metal Arts studio is a great playroom space for the tools to explore new ideas for working the material.

In this fold-forming workshop we work hands-on with the torch, hammer and anvil to learn a series of fold-forming techniques. The results are quick and gratifying, and lead readily to new design ideas. The workshop is a great idea generator for jeweler, sculptors, artists of any discipline, designers and makers in any medium. And the class is a great work-life balance for the keyboard jockey who spends all week sitting at a desk.

Charles Lewton-Brain has taught his technique at the Center for Metal Arts, and a collection of his fold forms are in the upstairs gallery of the Fine Architectural Metalsmiths showroom in the former Borden's Creamery Icehouse in Florida, NY.

The class will be held Saturday, May 22, from 10 AM to 2:30 PM at the Center for Metal Arts, 44 Jayne St. Florida NY 10921. Cost is $80 plus a $15 material fee. Registration with $45 deposit will hold a seat. This is a small class for personal hands-on time at the forge. To register, go to www.centerformetalarts.com or call (888) 862-9577 for more information.

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The Center for Metal Arts holds blacksmithing and other metal arts workshops for artisans, designers and the public. Located one hour north of New York City, The Center for Metal Arts offers an opportunity to work hot metal at the forge and anvil.