Jewelry Making: Tips and Tricks of the Trade

I am a retired jewelry designer that just wanted a fast and furious refresher course, this is a wonderful book for returning and beginning designers.

As a beginner you must have this book. I bought it while taking a Jewelry I class. My classmates were totaly amazed at what I could do. They all started searching for their own copy. I found this book so helpful with techniques and tools, terms and meanings. It covers all the projects that a beginner would take in a class. I also own a copy of Tim McCreight's "The Complete Metalsmith." The small book. It's all that I have needed since I began. I've already made a handful of projects already. See my Pink Tourmaline ring in the user photos above. This book will never be a waste of time and money.

This book is another must have for everybody in the metalsmithing/jewelry art metal area of interest. Covers the tools in depth and also has a number of do it yourself tools and shop helps that once you use them. They will more than pay for the cost many times over. Track this one down if you have to. Clear and concise descriptions, great photo's. I own it and refer to it a lot.It will also get you to start thinking about what other tools or tooling you can make in your shop.

I just thumbed through this book in the store and decided to grab it because of the wide scope of information it covered. When I got it home, I read through it more attentively and found a wealth of information on how to get started making unique and remarkable jewelry, well beyond stringing beads! The author covers first the tools, even ways to make your own to start out with to save on start up costs. He then goes into materials. Then starts with an introduction into some very basic processes (like soldering, polishing, etc.). And from then on, introduces techniques and tricks in the form of creative projects. He even talks a bit about the design process and gives tips on things that have helped him (keeping a design journal and a scrapbook of pieces that inspire you). Fabulous book! I would recommend it as a perfect starting point to anyone looking to begin artisan jewelry making!

This book is really excellent for a beginner (and others) - it shows complete jewellery making projects (wearable jewellery!) and all the steps necessary to make them, with lots of pictures, everything well explained.