Experiments in fold forming

Today, I'm experimenting for my first time with a technique called "fold forming". For my first foray into this very cool method of moving metal by strategic hammering and annealing (heating it to soften it again), I'm doing a project for a "Rueger fold bead" posted by Rio Grande (http://www.riogrande.com/Content/Foldforming-VID-psd?pos=3). I started with a 1" x 3" strip of 26 gauge sterling and folded it in half length-wise. I hammered it flat with my rawhide hammer, then annealed it to dull red point. I then cut an arc shape into the unfolded long side. Next, I used my Fretz cross pein hammer and carefully started hammering the folded side, halfway of its width in, along the length of the folded piece. This will start the piece curling in on itself, as the folded side of the metal is hammered and stretched. Very cool what happens (if it works as planned!).

I've done this process now about twice at this point, and here's what it looks like so far:

You can probably see in the photos that I'm having a bit of trouble keeping my hammering on one half of the piece only. I'm thinking I would do better with a wider cross pein, too. The one I'm using is only about 2 or 3mm, so it's making pretty sharp-looking hammer marks. We'll see if I can get them out later....

I should end up with a three-dimensional silver bead, which looks nothing like the photos above. Stay tuned!