Customer Reviews

Classical Loop-in-Loop Chains

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the best chain making book available. Chain making is an art form that was in danger of becoming lost. The authors have packed a wealth of knowledge about chain making... methods, materials and techniques and then lead you on an inspiring journey of loop in loop chains. Starting out simply and working up to a some very complicated chains. The instructions are clear and precise, the illustrations are very helpful and the pictures of the chains themselves make you want to continue on your chain making journey.

If you are comfortable soldering or fusing metal, this is a great book to begin making chains. If you aren't comfortable with soldering or fusing then this isn't a book for you. Although the chains included will inspire you to learn fusing/soldering, none of these chains can be made without those skills. Irene From Peterson's books will give you a great introduction to chain making via butted chainmaille with open jump rings.

Otherwise, get out the torch, or kiln (they explain how to fuse the rings with a kiln), the fine silver or 22kt gold rings and get ready for a wonderous journey into chain making.

Thank you to the authors for sharing their vast knowledge of loop in loop chain making. This is one of those classic texts that perserves the knowledge of the Masters and passes it down to those yet to come.

This book is so well-written, techniques so clearly illustrated, that a really great piece of jewelry can be turned out with little previous experience. It one of the best how-to books of its kind I have seen. For silversmithing beginners, it shows chains that can be made in your living room on a tray from fine silver wire, with a mini-torch, and requires no sophisticated soldering.

Jean's book saves time! If you are a craftsman working in gold or silver just the ability to make a quick reference to wire guage and number of links per inch makes this book one of the most useful in the workshop. For the more experienced worker the basic instructions can easily lead on to more complex chain making. It really is one of the most stained, abused and distressed volumes on my shelf.

I had never made a chain. Then I bought the book. The illustrations are very clear and every question I could think of had been answered within its pages.Before I knew it I was weaving watch bands and making beautiful chains that had that distinctive ancient look. Thank you Jean for the workshop I can take along with me in the form a fabulous book.

The clear illustrations and construction techniques make this the best book on chain making I've found. Although I'm using a borrowed copy, I'm obsessed to try and construct all the designs included. My family members will all be getting beautiful bracelets and necklaces for gifts this year. I'm looking forward to the next publishing of this wonderful book. No jewelry craftman should be without it!!

This book should be on every craftsperson's and metalworker's workbench!! It is thorough, detailed, and easy to follow. This is a wonderful book written by a gifted teacher and metalworker. If only Jean Stark would write more books, especially one on granulation and gold alloy metalsmithing...

"Chain chain chain...chain of fools"...This will be your mantra as you work through the 34 variances on classical loop-in-loop chain making. A knowlege of basic jewelry technique makes the going much simpler, but this book is so well organized and so perfectly illustrated that a novice will master the two essential skills needed to be successful- fusing links with a simple torch and shaping links with pliers. In addition there is a useful appendix and a separate chapter on clasps and terminations. So crank up the Aretha Franklin and get busy with your bad self

Stark & Smith have put together an inspiring book, well illustrated and with instructions that covered everything. From an elegant simple chain to a complex tapered masterpiece, this book will walk you through the process with logical and well thought out instructions, including coordinating closures. Excellent!!!

I just received this book and it is AWESOME! The diagrams are wonderful, with many styles to choose from. It's very well laid out and I can't wait to get started. I have to say this is well worth the money and an *excellent* addition to your collection if you are an artisan.

Looking to expand my chain making skills, I picked up this book to make variations on the loop in loop chain. It is very well written and contains a wealth of information on several types of chains and their variations, in a way that would make creating your own variations simple. I was pleasantly surprised to find a great deal of historical information on chainmaking, which was a nice plus. The illustrations are clear as are the instructions. Though the book recommends using fine silver and 18K gold or above, the chains could easily be made with sterling or lower karat golds.