Surface embelishments

I recently taught a two day workshop covering surface treatment of metal. It involved making at least a dozen or more examples of textures using hammers, stamps, punches, wire brush and the rolling mill.

Here are some examples of what was made.

wrinkled aluminum foil run through a rolling mill on sterling

small round chasing tool used to create dimples from the back on copper supported on wood

LMD Localized Metal Deformation

Images from the Idyllwild workshop 2008

These brooches made for Deb Jemmott and the two workshop assistants, Lindsay Rice & Mara Friedland. Lindsay and Mara were incredible and essential to the success of the workshop. I am grateful to them both for their help and to Deb for allowing me this great teaching opportunity.

Each is approximately 2"x2" and were made during the workshop. Deb's is the one on the upper left corner and has is set with a free spinning hemitite bead. I will be exploring more of these smaller sized brooches. My thanks to my wife Carrie who encouraged me to make these.

Fred

Older study in fold forming

Several years ago I assisted in a workshop taught by Harold O’Connor held here in Tucson. One of the techniques he taught us was fold forming. He called it smash and bash and gave credit to
Charles Lewton Brain.



Here is a piece I created and I incorporated a tapered copper tail and a simple patinated surface.

2"x2.5"

Forged Flatware

Here is an image of a fork making sequence made at the James Robinson shop.



Below is an image of a hand wrought spoon making sequence made by Old Newbury Crafters and sold in a presentation box.

I have compiled this list of craftsmen who still hand forge flatware. This list is by no means complete and I would welcome anyone’s input for further craftsmen and women who make hand wrought flatware.

Old Newbury Crafters
Peter Erickson
Robert Butler
James Robinson
John Cogswell
Allan Adler
Michel Royston
Raychel Wengenroth
William Frederick
Linda Weiss
M. P. Levene Ltd.
Randi Stromsoe

Fred

Hand Wrought Spoons

It facinates me to watch a blank of metal formed into a item of utility. The process and steps required to make a spoon is truly wondrous and I am in awe of the smiths who daily make flatware.

My interest in making spoons began several years ago by collecting American 18th & 19th century examples at estate sales and antique shops. I also became collecting the flatware made during the Arts & Crafts Movement and modern silversmiths who make flatware.

Here are images of spoon sequences and examples of some of my spoons This is a link to the documentation of how I forge spoons. Spoon Making Sequence


Fred

New Metalforming Stakes

I had the pleasure of meeting Kevin Potter this weekend. He is a local metalsmith who is currently milling metalworking stakes and offering them for sale. These are well made and he is producing a wide variety and at a reasonable cost.

http://kevdanaz.spaces.live.com/

http://stores. ebay.com/ Metalsmith- Tools

He has been advertizing on Craigslist and eBay.Check them out.

Best,
Fred

IDYLLWILD BROOCH

Idyllwild 04

Fabricated sterling brooch with hematite bead
3.25” wide x 2.125” high

Here is one of 5 brooches I made for an exhibit at the Idyllwild Exhibition Center during the Metals Week workshops. The workshop was well received and it was a true pleasure and honor to have taught there.