79 of 81 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love this book!, February 8, 2009
This review is from: The Jeweler's Studio Handbook: Traditional and Contemporary Techniques for Working with Metal and Mixed Media Materials (Paperback)
I totally fallen in love with this book and all its projects. I think I have looked thru it about 40 times already. I love this book so much that I got rid of 4 other jewelry studio books I had in my own collection. I am so in love with this book that I want turn my tiny area that is the kitchen/dining/studio I have now into a proper metalworking studio.
I think this is an exceptional metalworking book that should be in every metal work library. Artist/author Brandon Holschuh walks you through planning and setting up your studio space, selecting tools you need, working with various materials, shows you how to master fundamental metalwork techniques, and then has the reader practice their new skills with twenty jewelry projects. Also, the book is full of gorgeous and inspiring gallery quality jewelry from dozens of contributing artists. There are tons of photos as wells as lots of sidebar tips.
The book starts with planning your home studio. This is something that I haven't seen in other books, and it makes complete sense as to why it should be included. Setting up your studio properly and safely is important and something one needs to think about before hand. The pictures of his studio are so inspiring. and make me long to have the space of living in the Midwest.
Chapter 2 is tool talk, everything from bench pins to rolling mills, from soldering station to casting equipment. He shows you how to set up the different areas and talks about why you should keep separte areas for different types of jewelry work that you do.
Chapter 3 talks about the properties of various metals-silver, brass, gold, platinum, etc...then goes into work techniques. This chapter covers annealing, sawing, soldering, drilling, filing, finishing of metals. Gemstones and found object materials are also discussed.
Chapter 4 is all about Mechanics, Contraptions and Surface treatments. This chapter covers cold connections, various mechanisms such as caps, clasps, bails, and enclosures like cages, frames, boxes and hinges. It also talks a little bit about patina and texturing as well as finishing attachments for your flex shaft.
The second part of the book starts with "The Projects". There are 20 step by step project instructions for creating rings, bracelets, earrings and pendants. The first project is a plain band ring, and includes projects like a tube rivet chunky ring, bezel set pendant, cage pendant and no solder bracelet. The gallery section has even more eye candy to inspire you to keep improving your bench skills. There is an appendix with tips on how to continue your jewelry career and a resource section.
There are tons of photos throughout the book, and you never have to guess about which step of instructions you are in. I love all the modern projects in this as well, and the gallery photos are outstanding. If you are thinking about or just starting metalworking you should ahve this in front of you.
I wish this book had a spiral binding so it would lay flat as you are doing the projects, but other than that I would give this book 10 stars if I could
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12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful Resource, October 18, 2009
This review is from: The Jeweler's Studio Handbook: Traditional and Contemporary Techniques for Working with Metal and Mixed Media Materials (Paperback)
This is a wonderful resource for those interested in fabricating their own pieces. I bought a second handbook for my sister who has developed beyond just assembling purchased clasps, bevels, etc.. She wants to learn how to create her own designs.
I'm furnishing a newly built studio and found numerous items of helpful information. The layout information was indespensible.
Mastering the techniques contained in this handbook will take me a long ways towards where I want to be as an artist.
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