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Intro to Creative Metal Forming

Explore synclastic forming, anticlastic forming, and spiculums, while learning to hammer comfortably and with control. In this live, virtual course, students will create concave and convex curves to transform a flat piece of metal into elegant fluidity through domed synclasts, saddle-like anticlasts, and tapered tube spiculums. 

Learning will focus on the jewelry scale during this workshop to save time. Demos will be followed by in-class work time, with the instructor available for real-time assistance. Students will need two devices: laptop, desktop, or tablet for watching demos, and phone or tablet camera for instructor to see and help during work time.

Hammers, stakes, metal and other tools can be purchased and arranged for through AllCraft.

This course will consist of three sessions. Each session will consist of the following:

  • Demonstrations and work time from 10:00AM to 12:30PM
  • Off-camera lunch break or independent work time from 12:30PM to 2:00PM
  • Demonstrations and work time from 2:00PM to 4:30PM

For more information about virtual courses, visit our Virtual Course FAQ page. 

Please read the Materials & Tools tab!

Meet the instructor

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Whether using hammers and stakes, or hydraulic press tools, Cynthia's sculptural jewelry and hollowware shows her focus on exploring the fluidity with which metal can be moved, formed, and joined.

 

 

Cynthia Eid co-authored the book Creative Metal Forming, with Betty Helen Longhi, published in 2013 by Tim McCreight's Brynmorgen Press. In his foreword for the book, Michael Good says the authors "have succeeded in assembling the first comprehensive textbook on synclastic and anticlastic forming." (More about the book available at www.creativemetalforming.com.)  

 

 

 

 

Cynthia and Betty developed a set of anticlastic stakes, and Eid also works with Knew Concepts and Bonny Doon to help make tools for jewelers and metalsmiths. Lee Marshall has dubbed Cynthia Eid "Godmother of the Knew Concept Saws" since it was her idea for him to produce these saws for jewelers.

 

 

 

 

Excited about working in sterling silver without the problem of firescale, Cynthia has been working with Argentium Silver since 1999. After meeting Peter Johns (the inventor of Argentium Silver) in 2003, Eid has participated in AS's development. Argentium International, Ltd recognizes her as a Pioneer.

 

 

 

 

Cynthia Eid's metalwork has won awards for creativity and design, been featured in many publications, and been exhibited internationally. With a BS in Art Education and MFA in Jewelry, Design, and Silversmithing, she has previously worked as a bench jeweler for fine goldsmiths, a model-maker in a gold jewelry factory, and on private commissions. Her work is in museums in the US and UK. Currently an independent metalsmith and educator, she teaches weekly classes at Metalwerx in Massachusetts, and workshops and short courses in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Materials & Tools

The following essential tools are available from Allcraft.  They can be purchased individually, according to what you need, or you can buy all of them as a kit for $535.95 (including shipping) by clicking here or call Tevel at Allcraft to order: 800-645-7124. Tell Tevel it’s for Cynthia Eid’s class.

You need these tools, or something similar. (If you are not sure, email photos of your tools to Cynthia Eid at [email protected] to discuss.)

  • Large Synclastic Hammer Allcraft LH-1 Allcraft   
  • LH-4.5 crosspeen hammer - call Allcraft. It’s not on the website.
  • LH-5 narrow cross-peen - arced faces Allcraft
  • Ultimate Spiculum Hammer (med. or lg.) Allcraft
  • Mini Planishing Fretz HMR-401 - call Allcraft. It’s not on the website.
  • Small (5/8” thick) Eid/Longhi Anticlastic Stake Allcraft
  • Large (1.5” thick) Eid/Longhi Anticlastic Stake Allcraft
  • NC Black Large Spiculum Block - call Allcraft. It’s not on the website.              
  • NuGold x 3pcs- 6”x6”each: 20g, 22g, & 24g Allcraft
  • 1 steel ring mandrel - unmarked preferably, but it can be ok if the marks don’t go all the way around the mandrel - call Allcraft.  It’s not on the website.         

Additional essential tools from other sources:

  • 2 or more pine 2x4 blocks for Synclasting - about 4” long. Watch for scraps from constructions sites or buy at Home Depot or Lowes. 
  • 2” Steel Trailer Hitch Ball for smoothing synclastic bracelet Amazon
  • Cross-peen Mallet – plastic or urethane Contenti

  Optional tools that are suggested:  

  • Optional - Bonny Doon Urethane Forming “Hammer” Rio Grande
  • Optional - Hard Red Urethane Inserts Rio Grande
  • Optional - Large round Bur for Carving Depressions Rio Grande
  • Optional - Soft Plastic Vise Jaws For holding wooden hammer handle in a vise Amazon
  • Optional - Hard Plastic Vise Jaws for holding steel mandrel in vise Amazon
  • Optional - Earring Mandrel for rounding out spiculum earrings - call Allcraft.  It’s not on the website.              
  • Optional - Medium (1” thick) Eid/Longhi Anticlastic Stake – all-around useful stake Allcraft
  • Optional - Planishing Hammer/Mallet Fretz HMR-6 – handy mallet, and mid-size planisher - call Allcraft.  It’s not on the website.
  • Optional - LH-4 cross-peen w/ arced faces -broader hammer for smoother metal Allcraft  
  • Optional - XL Synclastic AllCraft 78-02 -broader hammer for smoother metal Allcraft
  • Optional - Creative Metal Forming (Personally inscribed to you, if you buy from author’s site: www.CreativeMetalForming.com)
Students should bring

Students will be responsible for providing the following common studio items. Some suggested vendors have been linked (click red text):

  • 1 x torch - capable of annealing 2"x6" 22g metal (Cool Tools)
  • 1 x fireproof torch area - steel baking sheets will work (Amazon)
  • 1 x gas for torch - butane if using Blazer Big Shot (Amazon)
  • 1 x soldering board - 12"x12" recommended (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x crockpot - for pickle (Amazon)
  • 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)
  • 1 x copper tongs - for pickle (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x large bench vise - mounted to sturdy stump or bench (Amazon)
  • 1 x half round file - #2 cut (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x magnifiers - optional as needed (Rio Grande)
  • 1 x half round steel/plastic pliers - optional (Rio Grande)
  • bowl of water - for quenching after annealing
  • ventilation system or fan and open window
  • sink or bucket of water - for rinsing after pickling
  • Scotchbrite pads - for scrubbing metal
  • old towels - to dry metal
  • bolts, screws, or c-clamps for fastening vise 
  • 22g-24g Argentium or sterling silver sheet - optional
  • well fitting gloves - to protect hands - optional
  • hydrogen peroxide (3%) - for pickle solution - optional

You will need a laptop, desktop computer, iPad, or tablet as well as a secondary video device with a tripod or holder (such as a smart phone) connected to the Zoom meeting so that the instructor can see and assist you. 

 

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