The art of soldering—permanently joining metal components with a torch and solder—can open up a new world of creative possibilities for jewelry makers. In Hot Connections Jewelry, award-winning jewelry designer Jennifer Chin guides you through every step, from choosing a torch to basic techniques like sawing, filing, and riveting, as well as more advanced techniques like creating surface textures, setting stones, and using inlay. With 23 in-depth lessons and 15 stunning projects, as well as inspiring examples from contributing artists, Hot Connections Jewelry is your essential guide to unleashing your creativity and confidence in jewelry making.
The art of soldering—permanently joining metal components with a torch and solder—can open up a new world of creative possibilities for jewelry makers. In Hot Connections Jewelry, award-winning jewelry designer Jennifer Chin guides you through every step, from choosing a torch to basic techniques like sawing, filing, and riveting, as well as more advanced techniques like creating surface textures, setting stones, and using inlay. With 23 in-depth lessons and 15 stunning projects, as well as inspiring examples from contributing artists, Hot Connections Jewelry is your essential guide to unleashing your creativity and confidence in jewelry making.
Hot and Cold Jewelry Connections is the perfect tool for encouraging jewelry makers to branch out and develop new skills. Kieu Pham Gray’s unique approach to metalwork begins with a design concept, then shows how to execute it using either cold connections (riveting, tabbing, wire wrapping), or hot connections (easy soldering with a small butane torch), teaching essential techniques of both along the way. These hot and cold options help jewelry makers understand how to evaluate and choose the right technique for their jewelry pieces based on their desired end result.
Minimal Metal Jewelry is a collection of beautifully wearable pieces made using minimal materials, just two gauges of wire and two sizes of jump rings. With just a few supplies and tools, jewelry makers will create 20+ earrings, bracelets, pendants, rings, and more. This project-focused book encourages jewelry makers to explore different metalwork and wirework techniques. Gray includes a thorough discussion of torchwork and soldering techniques, along with hundreds of clear, step-by-step photos so the enthusiastic beginner will find success. Kieu Pham Gray has been creating jewelry for more than 15 years, and it truly shows in her approachable designs. She includes tips and tricks for technique success, learned through her many years of teaching experience. Plus, each project includes an alternate version made with a different metal, making this book a great value.
Many crafters are interested in, but intimidated by soldering. Popular jewellery designer and instructor Scott David Plumlee shows readers how to use easy at-home soldering techniques to create more than 30 intricate-looking earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Scott David Plumlee, author of Handcrafting Chains and Bead Jewelry, teaches jewellery makers how to combine simplified soldering (using Argentium silver paste and a small hand-held butane torch) and wire-wrapping techniques to create a range of seemingly complex but doable chain and bead designs. The author's unique approach to combining beading, chain-making, wirework and soldering will appeal to a broad range of crafters.
A successful jewelry designer offers a practical guide to starting your business, selling your creations, and building your brand. To develop a successful jewelry line, designers have to be more than just creative artists—they have to understand the ins and outs of running a crafts business. Emilie Shapiro’s detailed guide explores the many facets of creating a quality handmade collection that people will buy, including: where to sell your work how to do small-scale production how to carry out market research and publicity how to price and present your pieces for greatest effect, and much more Includes photos
Discover the possibilities of cold joins! The hottest trend is cold. Cold-connection techniques are pushing the envelope of what is possible in metal without the use of a torch or kiln. All the necessary tools and materials--a common drill, hammer, sandpaper, wire, metal sheet--are all readily available and affordable for almost any budget. Learn how to use rivets, screws, and other materials to combine elements without having to deal with heat. Master jewelry designers Robert Dancik, Connie Fox, Susan Lenart Kazmer, Tracey Stanley, and others offer signature pieces, constructed using cold-joins. Accompanying each project are expert tips and tricks for additional ideas and customization. Metal Style is full of inspiration and techniques for jewelry makers looking to ignite a creative spark in their metal jewelry without lighting a flame.
Metalworking is generally regarded as a skill that takes years of dedication, requires a large studio space, and costs a lot of money. Fortunately, Simple Soldering proves that does not need to be the case. This handy how-to guide is complete in its exploration of the craft of creating soldered metal jewelry, including tools, techniques, and 20 beautiful projects that beginners and enthusiasts can make at home. Author and teacher Kate Richbourg demystifies basic soldering for any home crafter, showing how to create sophisticated, polished, and professional-looking jewelry pieces through simple soldering techniques. First, she instructs how to set up a jewelry workspace that fits the confines of your budget and living space. Detailed step-by-step instructions walk you through the basic tools and materials you need, plus how to use them. A sample chapter gives a host of introductory exercises that teach solid skills, allowing you to test these techniques on a small scale. Finally, you'll discover 20 finished projects that include earrings, pendants, rings, bracelets, and clasps that may also include bead or wire embellishment. Kate also demonstrates how to combine and layer techniques to gorgeous effect. She also examines common mistakes, shows how to correct or adapt them, and gives advice on when it's time to start over. Most of all, having taught thousands of classes on soldering, Kate has a "you can do it!" attitude that shines through to help even the most reluctant jewelry maker fire up the torch with ease. With Simple Soldering, the art of metal working one-of-a-kind jewelry is now at your fingertips.
Every jewelry maker will find inspiration for using a favorite focal bead, cabochon, or bead stash in Build Your Own Wire Pendants. Whether using inexpensive craft wire, copper, or sterling silver, aspiring wireworkers will have fun with 20 playful projects that encourage them to pick and choose their favorite techniques. Make a basic frame: hearts, stars, circles, pyramids, and more! Then pick embellishments to add interest and dimension: loops, spirals, bails, sewing with wire — the list goes on! This book is a delightful introduction to making wire pendants.
