Fold-formed earrings in flame-treated copper. Fold-formed earrings are a new set of styles involving new forging techniques, allowing cloth- or leather-like looks.

Fold-forming involves folding and hammering sheets of ductile metals to create three-dimensional forms which arise naturally from the compression and spreading of the metal. In this style, which we call a Groove, a t-fold is made in the vise, resulting in a crevice in the metal, a subtle but important design element.

The copper is sealed with lacquer to keep the colors bright and prevent wear and oxidization. Gold-fill ear wires. 

Handmade by David and Reed Bowman in Berkley, California.

David M Bowman Studio consists of two people: David Mills Bowman and his son, Reed Christopher Bowman. David began working in metal in 1971, near the time Reed was born; he first made silver jewelry, later moved on to brass belt buckles, then to larger pieces in patinaed brass. Over the years David has worked alone or with different assistants, but he has worked exclusively with Reed since the mid-1990s. They sell their work at fine retail galleries around the country.

We construct all pieces by hand, with hand tools and simple machines. All the work is produced from brass and copper sheet and rod, formed into shape with shears, hammers, sanders and grinders, and brazed together using an oxyacetylene welding torch. We do not cast work or use cast parts. We mix patina chemicals from scratch and apply them by hand.

Find more work from David and Reed Bowman here.