Indian Jewelry Making: Volume I [Spiral-bound]

Oscar T. Branson (Author)

Book Description

Series: Indian Jewelry Making | Publication Date: January 1977

Traditional silversmithing methods are shown in full-color photographs and illustrations with instructions in the art of making rings, chains, bracelets, and more. Spiral bound for easy viewing while working.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 64 pages
• Publisher: Treasure Chest Publications (January 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0918080150
• ISBN-13: 978-0918080158
• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 8.5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,119,206 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bare Bones Bounty for making Southwestern Indian Jewelry, July 26, 2000

By 

Doug Gruzd (Las Vegas, Nevada USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Indian Jewelry Making: Volume I (Spiral-bound)

I am an amatuer Silversmith, given basic instructions by a Navajo Sliversmith. Once a beginner has the basics then this book and the Volume II companion is easy to work from. There is no in-depth presentations in the one or two page photo instructions. Each project is laid out on one page in an excellent color photoghraph. At the top of the page the project usually starts with a short decripition of the stock silver required, with the tools pictured. Through a progression on the page, the stock silver is shown moving step-wise to the completed work. Around the border of the page are usually several different completed examples. There is a short text with each step that guides that production. The project styles seems to be mainly Navajo, with some Hopi and Zuni. This book is very traditional Indian jewelry and represents more than 50 projects or variations of design. The front of the book contains a short history in pictured period workshops from the 1870's to the present. The back part of the book has a thumb nail outline of some of the Silversmithing techniques. The spiral binding allows the pages to remain open as a visual guide as you work. I would recommend this to anyone interested in learning traditional Southwestern Indian Jewerly design and hand manufacture. Once you try out Volume I you will buy Volume II.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 2001 Edition is Vol I AND Vol II Condensed!, October 26, 2004

By 

Heather R. Kikkert "HKikkert" (Hereford, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Indian Jewelry Making (Jewelry Crafts) (Spiral-bound)

My silversmithing teacher is having us use her copies of this book to get ideas of what we want to learn how to make. She uses these books as THE bible(s) for Native American jewelry crafting. She owns her own business and is well known and respected in the jewelry community. She has the originals of these books, where volume I and volume II are separate editions. If you buy the book and it DOESN'T say Volume I OR Volume II on the outside cover of the book (and it lists the printing as being 2001 or later), then you have the consolidated version of both books in one. So Tyler, you probably bought Volume I, and then a copy of the newer consolidated book, instead of the actual older Volume II.

This book has quite a few of the different Native American jewelry styles displayed inside, and has step-by-step photographs of how to make each one, as well as many variations for each type. Not only does it have bezel set rings, bracelets, and earrings, it shows how to do overlays and inlays. It is an outstanding book, and should be in every silversmith's library if they are at all interested in Native American style jewelry.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding way to learn, April 16, 2003

By 

Virginia "Vegan" (Orange, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Indian Jewelry Making (Jewelry Crafts) (Spiral-bound)

I learned to silversmith using this book years ago. ...This book uses very basic tools and techniques - if American Indians could create jewelry using coal and coin silver - you can certainly do it with modern equipment (propane torch) and nice, smooth sheet silver. I just re-ordered myself. This book is well known in silversmith circles and definately worth your $!