Foldforming [Hardcover]

Charles Lewton-Brain (Author), Tim McCreight (Editor), Jeff McCreight (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 2008

The ultimate reference on foldforming from the artist who invented this groundbreaking approach to working with metal. By taking advantage of the inherent qualities of the material, foldforming develops organic forms in metal with minimum effort. Hundreds of sequential photographs demonstrate techniques to make a wide range of forms. Foldforming lends itself to all branches and levels of metalsmithing, from jewelry to blacksmithing, beginners to advanced artists.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Charles Lewton-Brain received his initial training in Germany and later earned a Master of Fine Arts from SUNY New Paltz. In the 1980s he invented a way of working with metal that exploits its inherent behaviors. Through hundreds of workshops and in his position at the Alberta College of Art + Design, Charles has developed the science and art of foldforming to its current high standard.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Brynmorgen Press; 1st edition (April 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1929565267
• ISBN-13: 978-1929565269
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,396 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

63 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exciting and inspiring, January 22, 2009

By 

wiredweird "wiredweird" (Earth, or somewhere nearby) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

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This review is from: Foldforming (Hardcover)

This gorgeous book addresses a huge family of forming techniques, a family that is still under active exploration. These techniques create a wide range of varied forms, and add to the traditional methods of fabrication as much as they draw from them. If you have any experience in metalwork, you'll find plenty to add to your existing skills, and at least as much that your current knowledge can add to what's presented here.

Clear, descriptive photos fill just about every page. These pictures serve three major purposes: they instruct in technique, they show the kinds of results that each technique can create, and they display masterworks that exemplify the finest results experienced crafters can produce - sometimes, all at once. Artisans at every level will find something they can use. Someone with just a hammer and bench block can get great results, as can the maker with access to a powered rolling mill and hydraulic forming press. My one peeve with this book, and it's just a small one, is that Lewton-Brain never specifies the thickness of materials to work with. I know that he encourages direct experience and experimentation, but the beginner might want to know whether to start closer to 24ga or 12ga sheet - it makes a difference.

One thing that makes this book attractive is its emphasis on inexpensive materials, the kind you don't mind making mistakes with. Samples in gold and silver appear, of course, but nearly all of the demonstrations use copper - not just because of cost, but also because of its unique working properties and the many kinds of surfaces it yields. The big appeal, however, is not just the organic beauty of the results, but the sense of play and exploration that pervades this book. I can't think of any other book on any craft that conveys so much pure fun in handling the material.

-- wiredweird

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Complete tool kit for your imagination!, July 4, 2009

By 

Alexa (Benicia, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Foldforming (Hardcover)

Thorough presentation of techniques. Photos and directions are clearer guide to the techniques than the instruction I received in a 3 day workshop taught by a student of the author. In fact a student in the class had a copy of the book which had just been published, and we took turns consulting it, especially the photos. This book is different from the step-by-step books that consist of a certain number of projects resulting in finished pieces of jewelry designed by the author. Foldforming does not lend itself to such an approach, so look elsewhere if that is what you want. The purpose of this book is to allow you to understand the dynamics of foldforming, practice the techniques, quickly master the wide range of folds presented, and use your creative imagination to combine them in unique ways to make jewelry or other objects of your own design.

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Money Well Spent!, August 8, 2009

By 

W Bergamin - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Foldforming (Hardcover)

I had seen some jewellery made using foldforming and I decided that I wanted to try it but could find no suitable classes in my area. A friend told me about this book so I ordered it.
It was the best decision I have ever made as the book is extremely readable and the projects are both easy to do with minimum tools and with cheaper metals.
Instant gratification! I know I will refer back to this book in my metal smithing for years to come.