Mixed Metals [Paperback]

Danielle Fox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2009

Utilizing stringing and wireworking techniques accessible to beginners, this mixed metal jewelry guide also offers boutique-style designs that will captivate the more experienced beader. With no metalworking required, detailed instructions are provided for 30 unique projects incorporating various metals such as silver, gold, copper, brass, PMC, and more. Techniques for distressing metal—such as using liver of sulfur, other patinas, and hammering—are included, as well as ideas for mixing metals and using faux metals. Background information is given on each type of metal, from common properties to shopping tips, care, and cleaning.

Editorial Reviews

Review

This book is all about making jewelry with metal items, and finding out handy facts about the metals themselves. There are several projects to make up, and plenty of useful knowledge for any keen jewelry maker. It is not easy to make jewelry without using some metals, but this book gives you a chance to see how they can really come into their own in some attractive pieces. Best of all, it is a fun way of learning about the various metals before putting them through their paces, and discovering how they behave, where they come from, what forms they come in etc. The book is handsomely illustrated with large photographs of the projects (no staged diagrams but they are not advanced pieces) and some nifty clipart arabesques to make it look more attractive, on the coffee table perhaps. At the back is an illustrated list of other materials used in jewelry making, a guide to bead shapes and sizes, all about pliers and other useful facts. It is a not a beginner's book but more aimed at the intermediate beader who has mastered the basics and wants to learn more.-Myshelf.com

About the Author

Danielle Fox is the editor of Stringing magazine, the author of Simply Modern Jewelry, and a former editor at House Beautiful and Colorado Homes & Lifestyles. She lives in Longmont, Colorado. Melinda Barta is the managing editor of Beadwork and Stringing magazines, the former projects editor of PieceWork magazine, and the author of Hip to Stitch. She lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159668092X
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680920
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #871,082 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marvelous!, May 6, 2009

By 

Barbe K. Saint John (Wheeling) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mixed Metals (Paperback)

The authors Danielle Fox & Melinda Barta seem to out do themselves with each book they put out. Mixed Metals had me when I saw the cover-SWOON!!!!

The focus of Mixed Metals: Creating contemporary jewelry with silver, gold, copper, brass & more is about rethinking the way we use metal in our jewelry designs. Utilizing premade metal beads, charms, clasps. chains and other components accessible at any bead store, this mixed metal jewelry book offers 21 boutique style projects that don't require any metalworking skills. Whether an experienced beader or beginner, these gorgeous projects will inspire you to "mix it up" and have fun with a variety of premade components.

The projects themselves are so lovely, you will be running to your local bead or craft store to find some of the unique items shown in this book. I have a HUGE shopping list already compiled.

Mixed Metals begins with projects based on each type of metal - Gold, Silver, Base Metals, Faux/other metals and Mixing Metals. Each chapter has background information on that type of metal, from history, facts, common properties to care, and cleaning. Each project had step by step instructions and detailed photography.

There are also techniques for altering the metals by using liver of sulfur, other patinas, and hammering. A glossary of terms, beading & wirework 101 techniques, resources and shopping guide are at the end of the book.

You won't be afraid to throw caution to the wind and mix some gold and silver chains with copper charms after reading this book. I think this book will be liberating to alot of jewelrymakers who feel a bit stuck with just using all one type of metal. It's a gorgeous book not only for it's projects, but also for it's inspiration and shopping links.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Projects, little hard to follow, May 17, 2009

By 

Jewelry Maker (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mixed Metals (Paperback)

I love the authors of this box, Danielle Fox and Melinda Barta. I own two other books by the both of them. The projects in the book are stunning, and completely inspiring. My only problem was that the pictures for the projects are not in the same place as the instructions, so you do have to go back and forth to see the end product. But, all in all, well worth it.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A few changes would have made a BIG difference..., October 29, 2009

By 

twilight58 "twilight58" (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mixed Metals (Paperback)

I liked many of the projects in this book. I particularly liked the innovative use of component pieces--they make the projects look fresh and new no matter what color or type of metal is being used. I've been making jewelry for about 5 years now and found the instructions and supply lists to be quite good. My complaints are with the photography and placement. As other reviewers have pointed out, the full photos for each project are located at the beginning of each chapter. Why separate them from the actual project instructions? Also, many of the full project photos are clear in the foreground, but fade to a blur in the background. This is extremely irritating, particularly for necklace photos where you are trying to see how the clasp is attached. Some of the project instructions make up for this by shooting half the necklace in close to show the clasp end. Additionally, most of the photos are shot on white or very light backgrounds and they feature white or light colored beads. That also makes it very difficult to see the details of the piece. It's obvious that a lot of care went into the creation of this book, I just wish that more attention had been paid to layout and photos.