Making Metal Jewelry: Projects, Techniques, Inspiration [Paperback]

Joanna Gollberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 28, 2006

No soldering is required to make these metal necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings; they’re cold-connected, or crafted with such easy-to-learn skills as piercing, sawing, riveting, and joining, making them perfect for the beginning jeweler. Yet the results look completely professional. Work with a variety of metals in sheets, wires, and tubes. Create your own chains, ear wires, clasps, and other findings from wire jump rings. Learn metal texturing and finishing techniques such as chasing, etching, and adding a patina. Find out how to make simple settings for pearls, beads, and stones. Then set your creativity free on projects like a Circle Brooch with Thorn Clasp; Layered Cuff Bracelet, and Polka Dot Tube Earrings.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“This fine book provides a comprehensive introduction (and) sophisticated and contemporary jewelry designs. The instructions are supported by excellent photography, making each easy to follow. This book is definitely worth getting.” — Bead & Button

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Lark Crafts (September 28, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1579908128
• ISBN-13: 978-1579908126
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,386 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #88 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Crafts & Hobbies

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

69 of 70 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding book on cold-connections., February 7, 2005

By 

Biffybeans - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making Metal Jewelry: Projects, Techniques, Inspiration (Hardcover)

A cold connection = any connection made without heat.

Joanna has put together a fantastic book that brings together many different cold connection techniques. I have yet to find another jewelry making book that covered as many cold techniques that this one does.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to enhance their jewelry making skills, but is not yet ready to move to the use of a torch for soldering.

71 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not Impressed, August 11, 2007

By 

BlackLovelyThang "Letoya" (Dubai, UAE) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Making Metal Jewelry: Projects, Techniques, Inspiration (Paperback)

I was looking for new and helpful information to add to my growing fascination with metalworking. This book is not for beginners. The projects are too precise for artists new to using a saw. Trying to saw a simple straight line takes lots of practice. I have some experience with the saw, but one project in this book scared the crap out of me. It's a geometric nightmare. The instructions in here are incomplete and vague. Some are a bit foolish or dangerous. For instance, there are many ways to make jump rings. This book instructs you to put your fingers directly in the path of the saw blade. There is a chemical etching project. It doesn't remind you to use gloves. The person in the pictures isn't wearing gloves. Also, there are safer ways apply a resist that doesn't include a razor sharp knife. The narrative sounds evasive to me. Example regarding the pendant on the cover, "Design eight decorative elements." I bought this book thinking that the author would show me how to make those little flowers. I liked the pinback idea, but again the instructions are vague. This book doesn't cover enough basics and it isn't safe.

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great investment!, May 5, 2006

By 

H. Mollie Myers - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Metal Jewelry: Projects, Techniques, Inspiration (Hardcover)

I bought this book when I took my first jewelry making class. The book was extremely helpful. It's descriptive, precise, and has great photographs. It's good for a beginning jewelry student because it doesn't involve soldering. It's also good for someone who wants to focus on learning techniques instead of working on original designs. About a year after purchasing this book I looked through it again, and it's still inspiring! Now that I know some more advanced jewelry making techniques and am proficient at soldering I sometimes forget about the basic cold-connections covered in this book. After looking through the book again I came up with some new and original designs. Anyone interested in making jewelry should own this book (& the series of books by Tim McCreight).