Customer Reviews

Jewelry Lab: 52 Experiments, Investigations, and Explorations in Metal (Lab Series)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I love it when I find a great reference book that is also inspiring. This book has over 50 straight-forward, well photographed "experiments" that many artist, not just jewelry artists, can incorporate into their work. I love the spirit in which it is written, there are no declarations of the "right or wrong way" of doing things...simply, look what happens when we do this! And be sure to check out the great brooches on page 77!

Melissa has pulled off a most unusual format for jewelry technique. The 52 projects range over all the common metal techniques, and always with her emphasis on mixed media, are created with careful, craftman-like care. For those readers who equate fine jewelry with precious metals and rare, expensive gemstones, Melissa is able to open a few eyes with her use of copper, Tagua nut, fiber, and ribbon and even road signs! I value the ability of this book and its superb photography to be used over time by metalsmiths in their own studios. The ideas range widely, and really spark imagination, plus for those who want to learn how to make these marvelous pieces, the directions are written in a clear, logical manner.

I have never been so excited to recieve a book than I was to recieve this one. As I sat and looked at the book, I wondered if I could do these techniques. They looked a little complicated. The very next day I broke this book out and, went shopping for some things I didn't have, came home and experimented. It was wonderful. They were easy to follow. The directions were perfect and not hard at all. I'd bought another jewelry technique book that had more techniques in them but a lot harder to follow and in fact, you had no idea where to start. Not so with this book. It got me excited about taking my jewelry craft to the next level. You wont be dissappointed.

I think this is a terrific resource book packed with lots and lots of techniques, so I'm giving it four stars. I would have given it five stars, but for one criticism: There aren't enough pictures in the step-by-step portion of the chapters. Oftentimes all you get is a picture of the completed jewelry piece, an excellent description of how to make it, and either one picture to demonstrate the process or sometimes no images at all. This makes it a very poor resource for beginners. However, it is excellent for intermediate to advanced jewelry artists in the mixed-media field with some experience. The book provides a very good overview of many, many techniques, so I think it is worth purchasing.

I would like to address the criticism one reviewer made; she said she bought the kindle version of this book and it is all in black and white. Well, I also purchased the kindle version of this book and it is NOT produced in black and white. You can view it in full color on your iPhone or other smart phone, computer, nook, etc. just not the kindle. All eBooks viewed on a kindle device will appear in black and white, with photos showing up in shades of gray. This is due to the fact that the kindle only displays text and photos in b&w. I produced three eBooks myself (the Arty Jewelry series), each of them featuring hundreds of full-color photos. They appear in full color on every device except the kindle. So it is unfair and inaccurate to say that the kindle version of Jewelry Lab is in black and white.

Sharilyn Miller, author of Wire Art Jewelry Workshop

As I leafed through this book, I kept thinking, "I can do this one!" and I kept saying it over and over again. These are beautiful projects that can be as complicated or simplified as one wishes. I'm very happy I got this book so that I can get started on my own versions of what I see here. There is zero intimidation factor here, and great photos. Thanks so much, Melissa, for the inspiration!

I love to find books that surprise me! The projects are fun and different enough to interest all levels of jewelry makers. I could not wait to try some of them out so I went right to my studio after reading just a few pages. This book is worth having.

This bookk is good but not for the novice. The author creared a nice template to show off the work. She then does not vary from it. She has left out many final important details to complete many of the works. I still recomend the book just want folks to know it requires a lot of know how and thoought to actually make many of the pieces.

Lousy book. Instructions very limited to non-existent. No inspirational ideas, no new techniques. Just a waste of paper and ink. There are much better and more thorough books on the market.

This book revealed so many techniques for making jewelry and made it look simple.

I gave this book to a dear friend, but I hope together we will try some of the

ideas in the book. Also, pictures and lots of pictures tend to help me and this

book had lots!

Each of the projects come with about two pictures (give or take) and about six steps listed from the project's start to finish. Some of the pictures do not really coincide with what is described. I was hoping to develop more skill in working with metal with this book, but after looking it over, I was afraid that I would get started on a project, then find some crucial steps missing to actually get a finished product. I feel the authors have taken for granted that the reader knows more about what they are introducing than the reader actually does. I have returned this book. I will be looking for something not quite so all inclusive next time.