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    Microfold necklace by Cynthia Eid with text in the right corner that says "Sponsored by Rio Grande"
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Microfolding and Corrugation

In this live, online workshop, students will learn the process of microfolding from metalsmithing extraordinaire Cynthia Eid! Otherwise known as corrugations, the wavy undulations created by this metal-manipulation method add strength to thin sheets of metal and make it possible to create large, yet light and sturdy, pieces of jewelry. This technique offers endless possibilities for creativity through the explorations of texture and form! A wide variety of derivations and textural possibilities will be demonstrated, including fan-folds, ribbon forms, smocking, confirming and pleating, fold forming, and making microfolded beads. Each demonstration will be followed by in-class work time. This course will be process, technique, and design oriented, rather than project-driven.  

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 until 2:00PM
  • Demonstrations and work time from 2:00PM until 4:30PM

There will be a no-class day between each session to allow students ample time to practice independently or rest. 

Class will be held live via Zoom during the designated time frames. A link to the Zoom meeting will be sent via email.

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 supplies will be used for course demonstrations and objectives. A suggested item and/or vendor has been provided below for reference. Click the vendor name (right of item) to be redirected to a page where you can find the item. The quantities needed for each item are listed first. If ordering, please be aware that some items may come in larger quantities than needed for this class. We recommend not opening an item's packaging until the day of the workshop. 

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 more easily. 

 

Microfolding and hand tools (Note: If you do not want to purchase a microfold brake, please contact the instructor at [email protected] to borrow one. The tool will be mailed to your address and you will need to mail it back or purchase it from the instructor, if you wish to do so. Estimated shipping is ~$16 each way): 

  • 1 x microfold brake - this specific model is needed (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x steel bench block (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x plastic or rawhide mallet (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x metal shears (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x round nose, needle nose, and flat nose pliers (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x half-round pliers (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x diamond bur set (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x drill bit - 1mm to 1.5mm (Amazon)

  • 1 x circle template for sawing or disc cutter (Amazon or Contenti)

  • 1 x confirming pliers - to make "pleated" folds (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x steel dapping block and punches - wood will not work (Harbor Freight) or just the block if you have punches (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x to mount microfold brake - 20lb mounted vise (Amazon) or 2 C-clamps on table corner (Amazon)

  • ½-3/4” diameter wooden dowel or equivalent, about 4” long.   (File a dome on one end.) OR a wooden dapping punch (Rio)

  • 2” or more tube.  3/16 – ¼” diameter – for bead.  Thick-walled is great. Can be silver, brass, or copper - optional

 

Torch setup: 

  • 1 x torch - Big Buddy Blazer or Silversmith with #1 tip (Amazon, Rio)

  • 1 x fireproof torch area - steel baking sheets will work (Amazon)

  • 1 x gas for torch - butane if using Blazer Big Buddy (Amazon)

  • 1 x crockpot - for pickle (Amazon)

  • 1 x pickle - sodium bisulfate or citric acid (Rio Grande or Amazon)

  • 1 x Solderite™ pad - soft (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x copper tongs - for pickle solution (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x soldering tweezers (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x soldering pick (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x paste flux (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x paste solder (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x black paste flux - optional (Amazon)

  • 1 x brushes - for flux

 

Metal/raw materials:

  • 1 x copper sheet - 36 gauge (Amazon)

  • 1 x pack of 6"x12" copper sheet - 28 gauge (Rio Grande)

  • 1 x piece of medium or easy sheet solder - 30 gauge (Rio Grande)

 

Other/miscellaneous items: 

  • safety glasses

  • fan and open window - for ventilation

  • bowl of water - for quenching hot metal (avoid plastic)

  • sink or bucket of water - for rinsing after pickling 

  • old towels - to dry metal

  • ruler

  • fine point permanent marker

  • tools for opening fold forms - dull knife/scribe/straight burnisher

  • 14g or 12g round or square wire - for frame around edges - optional

  • white out/yellow ochre/Ronda's masking mud - optional

  • small flat hammer - planishing/chasing/riveting - optional

  • chasing tools - for making patterns/texture - optional

  • chasing hammer - optional

  • 28g Argentium or sterling silver sheet - optional

  • disc cutter - optional

 

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