Foldforming (Hardcover)

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

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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.

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: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #25,458 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 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 (TOP 100 REVIEWER)

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

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Every possible way to fold form, May 31, 2008

By	W. Swift (Florida, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book gives every possible way to fold form. There are many techniques and lots of pictures. I would have given it 5 stars if there had been more pictures of finished products with fold forms.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing metal fold forming guide for jewelers, July 29, 2008

A Kid's Review

This book explains everything you need to know about fold forming for metal used in art and jewelry.
Wonderful pictures and great explanations of how to do form folding...