Fold forming is a new, rapid, easily learned way of shaping sheet metal with hand tools. It is a compositional system of metal forming that emphasizes forming using the metals characteristics. Rather than forcing form upon the material forms are derived from the natural plasticity, ductility and elasticity of the metal. It is an original invention and is internationally recognized as a new approach to working metal. Developed steadily since 1980, many schools teach it and thousands of people use the methods. Shaping is extremely efficient and fast (many radical changes in cross section and surface can be made in 3-5 minutes). Tools are simple; fingers, hands, hammers, mallets, anvils and rolling mills. Complex high relief forms are produced from single sheets of metal often with a single annealing. These shapes resemble chased, constructed and soldered forms. The techniques work with all metals and are applicable for jewellery, holloware, sculpture, enamelling, anodizing etc. This workshop is an overview of the whole system. Advanced workshops are available. The course can however be broken into various focussed workshops.

This workshop will include fold forming methods to make vessels and containers, concentrating on techniques for rapidly creating bowls and other vessels, and the most appropriate foldforming approaches for textures and designs on containers. As well as using foldforming methods in a smaller scale, aiming for jewelry making, concentrating on techniques that work for jewelry, and the most appropriate foldforming approaches for textures, shapes and designs for small work. Bracelets, brooches and earrings are addressed.