Customer Reviews

Making Connections: A Handbook of Cold Joins for Jewelers and Mixed-Media Artists

5 star:		(25)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is not a book of how to make a piece of jewelry from start to finish. Rather, it is a book focused on the technique of the actual cold join. And more.

Susan's book is actually 3 books in one- first, it is a handbook of not only cold joins for metal and other parts in jewelry making (as the title implies), but it is an actual starting point for the individual that wants to take their jewelry from craft to art.

It is also a showcase of her fabulous individual style in design; with photographs of her work including her personal talisman necklaces and some of her exhibited Circus Troupe series.

Lastly, part of the book shows like a gallery style coffee table book for the works of other well known mixed media artists and jewelers, with photography of their items of the quality usually reserved for the catalogs of larger museums and libraries.

I cannot stress how highly I reccommend this book. Whether you are looking to upgrade your jewelry or mixed media; or you just love the artform itself, this book will not disappoint.

While the authors work is innovatave and imaginative it is more about making a statement than making jewelry. Her work is really more a gallery or museum installation. The instructions for making the joins and connections are actually pencil sketches with very short written explainations-some of which are fairly easy to understand some not so much. If you are already know how to make the cold joins she talks about this book would be useful in expanding they way you use them-If you are fairly new to the techniques it's not a good choice.

This beautiful book is an object for repeated gazing. And if, like me, your interest in jewelry is based on looking and puzzling and asking "How did she do that?" Susan Lenart Kazmer's book is the best, because in all cases she not only gives you fabulous images to look at, she tells you how she did it and how you can do it too.

The photography is gorgeous and inspiring. The text is clear and intimate and full of Susan's strong true voice. The reader learns not only about cold connections but about the many sources of meaning lying in wait for Susan and her students and fans. What appear to be descriptions of different kinds of cold joins are really journeys into worlds of symbols and the physical objects that become their vehicles.

The techniques are clearly illustrated, and clearly explained. Whether you are a fabricator of ornaments for the body, a wearer of ornamental objects, a fan of Susan's troupes of dancers, singers, jugglers and vaudevillians, or a seeker of meaning and amusement in the curiosities found on the ground, in flea markets and sawed, attached and stacked together, there will be something for you in this wonderful book!! You know you need to have this book for your very own!! Since I got it and started looking at the pages, I have twice dreamed about fabricating meaningful pieces of jewelry for myself and others out of curious things. You won't be sorry when you get your hands on it. You will want to run outside and start picking things up! You will be inspired, and if you're like me, your life as an artist will never be the same.

Glad I scoped this at the library first rather than buying off the raves. As another reviewer noted, the pages are "cluttered," with the How To portions somewhat difficult to identify--much less follow--amid the illustrations and photos saturating the pages. While the artist does fascinating work, after the first half dozen showpieces I would have liked to see mostly close-ups of how to apply the techniques, rather than more pictures of their finished pieces.

Two alternatives:
The Art & Craft of Making Jewelry: A Complete Guide to Essential Techniques (Lark Jewelry Book) An amazingly comprehensive and detailed technique book, including several cold connects.
Making Metal Jewelry: Projects, Techniques, Inspiration The projects are all cold connected--zero soldering.

I was anticipating a book that would show me techniques for cold joins. Instead, I got a coffee-table picture book that promotes the artist's work.

As a self-promotion tool, the book is excellent. Lots of pictures of the artist's work, lots of text about the artist.

As a technique book, it fails miserably. To learn technique from a book, one needs detailed photographs with corresponding text clearly identified. Instead of photographs, this book offers pencil sketches along the margins.

If you want to learn to make jewelry using cold connections, check out Making Metal Jewelry by Joanna Gollberg. It has excellent pictures, detailed step-by-step text, and, because it's soft-cover, costs only $14.95.

I am a huge fan of Susan Lenart Kazmer's work, so I was so excited to get this book. The pictures are gorgeous and inspiring. She gives you a glimpse into her sketchbooks and her thought processes on many pieces. She also gives instruction on many cold connection techniques. If you love altered art jewelry, this will be such an inspiration for you.

Susan Lenart Kazmer's, "Making Connections" is not only a comprehensive treatment of cold joins, it's also a beautiful book to look at. Mixing simple, straightforward technical information with lovely photography and drawings, Kazmer's book is a rare find - a treat for the eyes and the mind.

The tone is set at the book's beginning with a chapter on the "Alchemy of Susan Lenart Kazmer." An innovative artist using recycled and altered materials, Kazmer focuses on the process rather than the outcome. A conceptual artist, Kazmer's jewelry may not seem beautiful to some, but that's not the point, she creates to elicit a response. I would beg to differ with those who question the beauty of her work and so will you after you see this book.

Nine chapters cover materials, tools and every cold join you can imagine. Chapters detail wire attachments; staples, tabs and prongs; rivets, hinges and attachments with movement just to name a few. I'm particularly inspired by the chapter on staples, tabs and prongs seeing new ways to use sheet metal with the glass cabachons I make. The tips sprinkled throughout the book are insightful and feel like a treasure she's left for you to discover.

If you're serious about learning cold joins or if you're serious about jewelry, Kazmer's book wins on both. You'll find yourself looking through it again and again feeling like you're uncovering another little piece of treasure.

Wonderful photography and depictions of found object jewelry. Great book for ideas. I don't care for the format or layout of the instructions in this book. Lots of brown ink on ivory paper and notes jotted all around on the pages. It is like a book of tips and not a very cohesive study of processes.

I have a huge collection of metalsmithing and jewelry design books, but this is one of my favorites...a book I return to again and again for inspiration when my artistic muse is being less than cooperative! The illustrations are excellent as is the photo gallery of works by other artists. For those who dislike or are uncomfortable with soldering, this book on cold connections is invaluable. Susan has an eye for taking objects that would otherwise be discarded as refuse and transforming them into works of art. This is commendable in a wasteful world of disposables. Kudos to Susan on a very well written and informative book!

i found the book inspirational and beautifully put together. i think i can definitely use some of the suggestions to suit the direction i hope to move in with my jewelry design work. i had hoped the book would offer more information on cold connections. i was a little overwhelmed with some of the technical approach - the instructions were clear and concise over all, and if i get to the point of wanting to approach soldering, sawing, and the like, i feel the information in this book will be a great help.
beautiful photos.