Customer Reviews

Silver Threads

5 star:		(30)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am an advanced wire worker but really only an intermediate at best solderer so I was a little nervous, but after getting this book yesterday I made one of the projects and it was so EASY! And so QUICK! Couldn't get over it, and now I have a beautiful silver filigree and amber pendant, made in under an hour.
I cheated as well: filigree wire is next to impossible to find here in Australia so I used my ordinary twisted square wire from wire working (21 gauge) and it came out just beautiful.

"Patterns similar to filigree have been spotted in Viking jewelry as early as AD 800. Danish goldsmiths brought them back to Norway in the late 17th and early 18th centuries..."

If you have always wanted to make your own jewelry or want to make and sell filigree jewelry, this book has all the information you need to get started. The first few pages take you through a wide variety of jewelry from many countries. The hinged purse necklace in the shape of a heart is fascinating as are the butterflies that look like stained glass.

"Plique-à-jour is a variation on piercing where the pierced filigree is filled with transparent enamels. This technique produces the look of fine stained glass on a very small scale." ~ pg. 15

The tricky part of making this jewelry seems to be the removal of oxidation that forms during the heating process. The first chapter is essential to read more than once, maybe ten time...to make sure you know how to use the chemicals discussed. The author recommends you use Sparex - she says is in a granular form that can be added to hot water.

Items needed to begin making jewelry include a torch, soldering surface, pliers, jeweler's saw, ring mandrel, hammers, files, dust collectors, tweezers, etc. These are all listed with pictures and more information.

Project in this book include:

Dangle Earrings
Pendants
Four-Leaf Clover
Heart Pendant
Swirl Ring
Fan Dangle Necklace
Winged Design (like on cover)

Once you read how jewelry is made it gives you an even deeper respect for the artisans who accomplish such mastery over silver enhanced with gemstones.

~The Rebecca Review

I finally received my book after a long, long wait but it was worth it. This is a subject that I have never seen covered in any other book. Filigree has been a lost art. The photos of the projects looked daunting to me at first but, after reading the author's clear instructions, I found that I was no longer feel daunted. The photos are exceptional and clearly show all I need to know. I feel fairly sure that with the book at my side I will be able to accomplish the projects in this book. It's also a tease. I couldn't help thinking of all the things I could do with this technique that I had never thought of before. The book, once I master the technique, will open up a world of design that wasn't open to me before. That's the glory of learning. It takes us to new heights.

Lots of silversmithing books are on the market but, often, they leave something out and I am left wondering what to do next. This book is not like that. It should be clear to the beginner and an inspiration to the more advanced silversmith. I'm very glad I bought it.

Jeanne Rhodes-Moen does a terrific job of explaining the steps to making filigree jewelry, breaking them down and de-mystifying them in the process. Even her introduction soothes worries. Filigree was the first jewelry she made; she says she "didn't know filigree was supposed to be difficult."

There's plenty of eye candy here; photos are large, clear and abundant. Eye candy isn't what the book is about, though. Be sure to read the Basics and Tools and Supplies sections thoroughly. In them, you'll find detailed instructions of skills needed for successful filigree. Make some of your own, specialized tools, like a wire-measuring tool that's invaluable for speedily measuring lots of short lengths of wire. Rhodes-Moen shows you how to make your own filigree wire and even gives a diagram of a convenient workbench setup. The Shaping and Polishing section covers more necessities, and breaks those intricate filigree patterns down into their basic components.

As I expected, the projects were mostly pendants with earrings, a ring and a couple of necklaces thrown in. The last section even points you toward creating your own, beautiful designs. What a terrific resource!

This is a very educational book, I highly recomend it! This book has the information in a concise order to give you a working knowedge. First it depicts the history and orgin of this jewelery with examples in color pictures. Then it has a list of tools and material you will need, and sources to buy these materials. There are colored pictures of these tools. All instructions are coupled with colored pictures, it is reader friendly and very visual. Next there are starter projects, and this all ends with help designing your work. Each project involves sodering silver. She encourages you to make your own designs. I am in the process of getting my materials together. This book gives you, I believe the working knowedge and confidence to develop yourself in making filigree jewelery.

This is a wonderful book on a little-written about subject. It has many excellent photographs and clear instructions. The author's work is amazing! There are many beautiful examples throughout the book.

I just purchased this one three days ago, and am HOOKED. The fine art of filigree is often overlooked, and this excellent book will keep a dying art alive!
Easy to read, easy to use, GREAT references, great tips, and most important, Jeanne is not afraid to SHARE information that most folks keep 'a professional secret' for fear of competition.
I only wish that the book could have gone on and on!!! Buy this one, even if you've NEVER done filigree work before. You can make a project right from the start, and most importantly, it will LOOK GOOD, which is very encouraging. Well done, Jeanne!

This is a wonderfully well written book on the art of filigree. I have been using it like a work book and have learned so much. Thank you for sharing your gift with me and all the others who are benifactors.

It's easy to make silver filigree jewelry, despite the complex-looking curls and twists of the results - and especially when SILVER THREADS: MAKING WIRE FILIGREE JEWELRY is in hand. Each page is loaded with color photos as it covers production basics, embellishments, variations on themes, and polishing techniques. Sidebars of any special skills needed, such as how to use a solder pick, accompany easy directions for simple projects which encourage amateur jewelry makers. A lovely project guide indeed.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

This is an amazingly complete and well thought out book - while some parts of the process will take several tries, nothing beautiful comes easy. Jeanne Rhodes-Moen brings this technique alive and makes the average jewelry/metal smith feel it is in their realm of capabilities. Easy to follow - lots of photos!