Depicted here is a rod of copper on my anvil. I start with this basic shape to transform it into the cuffs shown on my website.

Forging is an ancient metalsmith technique which is not widely practiced today, and often the term is misused. Forging is the art of forming a piece of metal by strategically hitting it with hammers, other steel tools, mallets, wood, etc. 

Almost no metal is removed from the original shape. Instead, the natural malleability of the metal is used in forming it. It involves a process of heating the metal to a red-hot state, quenching, hammering and repeating this process until the desired shape is achieved. It is time-consuming, and involves skill and patience.

Forged silver especially has a unique character -- the hammer marks make many subtle, highly-polished facets that catch the light and twinkle. Forging can also produce beautiful, organic curves and marks in the metal, as if it were clay.

There really is no equivalent to this subtle beauty, which can only be achieved by hand. If you’ve had the pleasure to own a hand-forged piece (whether it be jewelry or tableware) you have a special, collectible piece to be cherished.