Always eager to learn yet another jewelry-making technique, I enrolled in a metalsmithing class in February, taught by internationally known jeweler and silversmith, Cynthia Eid. This was a three-day, very intense class on sculptural bracelets formed using the Bonny Doon hydraulic press. I have been wanting to take this class with Cynthia for at least two years, and it finally was offered again, so I did not hesitate to sign up early, since her classes typically fill up quickly. Little did I know what I was in for!! Cynthia wasted no time introducing us to the tools and equipment that we would be learning to use over the weekend. She alternated her demonstrations with hands-on experimenting and creating, using both copper and brass metal sheets. We learned about synclastic and anticlastic forming tools, urethane and restraining rings forming systems, embossing and corrugating our metal strips. My head was spinning at the end of each day!! The good news is that, much to my surprise, at the end of the three days, I did manage to go home with several cuff bracelets that I can "fine tune" into something that I can be proud of, and that my customers will be happy to wear.
So, first we had to cut a strip of copper or brass (our choice) and anneal it at the torch station to make it more pliable to work with. Once it is annealed and cleaned up, it is ready for a design.
The next step was to decided on a design. I decided to use a bunch of jump rings and varying lengths of cut wire which I randomly placed on a strip of clear tape and secured it to my metal strip. This was a bit of a challenge for me and my "organized" mind, so I had to avoid trying to balance the layout. Fellow students referred to this technique as organic.....something I have to learn to embrace!!
The next step was to place my metal strip with the design attached into the Bonnie Doon press to emboss the design onto the metal. This machine is amazing!! By "pumping" it up, the pressure applied to the metal strip forces the design to be embossed. This machine is not for the faint of heart, I assure you, and intimidated most of us.
So, here is my embossed metal strip, from the flip side. Note that the design is still attached under the strip to demonstrate the pattern that was established.
The next step was to use a forming tool in the Bonnie Doon to shape the cuff. For this bracelet, I chose an anticlastic form. Once it was shaped, I removed the design template and smoothed out the edges, using files and sandpaper strips.
The final step was to decided whether to leave it as a copper cuff, or apply a patina. As you can see, I opted for the patina, which enhanced the design and gave the cuff a lot more character.
I have several more cuffs to finish, and you will eventually see them under the "Bracelet" pull down on my web site. I just received the brochure announcing the spring classes, and much to my pleasant surprise, Cynthia is teaching another class in Microfolding and Creative Metal Corrugation. Guess I better sign up soon!!
I have several more cuffs to finish, and you will eventually see them under the "Bracelet" pull down on my web site. I just received the brochure announcing the spring classes, and much to my pleasant surprise, Cynthia is teaching another class in Microfolding and Creative Metal Corrugation. Guess I better sign up soon!!
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