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Forging Small to Medium Forms
Forging is an ancient art of controlled hammering to change the shape of wire or thick sheet metal into certain shapes and patterns. Blacksmiths forge on a large scale - but these techniques can easily be applied to a smaller scale. Students will learn to transform wire into three-dimensional forms all using controlled hammering techniques. Using the trusty planishing hammer and a heavier forging hammer, shape thick wire into sculptural forms that can be used for jewelry, sculpture or hollowware. Not to mention it’s a great stress reliever! Proper use of holding hammers and hitting positions will be stressed. Students will experiment with both hot and cold forging.
Meet the instructor
Joy Raskin has been a silversmith since 1984 and has exhibits throughout the United States, Ireland and New Zealand, showcasing both her jewelry and flatware designs. Joy is a native of New Hampshire, having attended public schools in Manchester and Concord and was accepted as a member of the League of NH Craftsmen while still in high school. She received her BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and her MFA from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Joy is an instructor at Metalwerx in Waltham, MA, The Craft Center in NH, Sharon Art Center, and many other schools.
Joy has received many awards for her work. She was commissioned by the NH State Council on the Arts to create the Cultural Access Award for the Governor’s Awards in the Arts in 2001. Her work is included in many collections, including the White House and Smithsonian Institution. Joy's work is found in multiple galleries throughout New England, including the League of NH Craftsmen Galleries, Boston Society of Arts & Crafts, Guilford Art Center, Millbrook Gallery, and others.
Materials & Tools
There is a $25 materials fee for this class that is payable upon registration. The materials kit includes 2ft-6ft of NuGold wire in gauges 8-20.
- Ear Protection - Metalwerx has ear protection for use in class, but students may want to bring their own ear plugs (which are smaller than our ear muffs) or protectors if they prefer to use their own.
- Students can bring in any heavy copper or silver wire they can forge or unfinished forging jobs they want to use. Gauges from 2g. to 20g is a good reference for gauge size.