The first morning

A lot covered this morning!   Basics and terminology, recent research (based on surveys) about how foldforming is used today, a bunch about tools and how to modify them for foldforming, the role of nature and physics, design strategy, foldform groups... more.

We've begun working through some of the simpler folds.  These are demo photos so far.  Charles is making them as we watch, and then they're passed around.  Hands on later.

Right now we're having lunch while Charles delivers a slideshow lecture on bench tips.  Following just a handful of these tips would more than pay for this workshop!  Lots about great adaptations / replacements for expensive jeweler's tools to save money.  How about a valve stem from a junk yard as an anvil? Leather mallets from a pet store?  Or make a paper mallet that will never hurt your metal.  

Main point -- if something looks like something else, it usually is.  

August 2012 on SueLacy Wired is dedicated to the 5th annual Charles Lewton-Brain Conference on Foldforming, taking place Aug 3-6 at the Center for Metal Arts in downstate NY.  To view the series, click category "5th Annual Charles Lewton-Brain Conference" in the far right column on this page.
(Are you a metalsmith interested in foldforming?  Join our official Facebook group.)