Beginning Silversmithing: The Complete Guide to Silversmithing

by Don Norris, Chad Parker (Illustrator)

This is a complete guide to Silversmithing. Even though it is a book that Don Norris has sold 1000s of copies of on CDs, Mr. Norris calls this book a class because it includes his telephone number and email address for readers to contact the author with questions and to get help. It begins with the tools, equipment and supplies needed for Silversmithing and emphasis that there is no need for expensive tools, torches or equipment. Most students begin with less than $150.00 worth of tools, supplies and equipment. Although he includes instructions on many torches, Don recommends using a less than $15.00 torch from a hardware store. "It has the best flame for Silversmithing". The "class" then teaches all the basic techniques for Silversmithing beginning with Don's Principles of Designing Jewelry for a Profit. You may want to read the entire class, then get some Silver and supplies and then follow along with your project as you read this 200 page book that is 8 1/2 x 11 inches in it's paperback form. After thoroughly teaching the metals and solder needed for Silversmithing Mr. Norris teaches everyone how to become a great Silversmith that really begins and ends with good soldering skills. Mr. Norris always gives you 5 good reasons to do everything. "I believe there is only one "Best" method to do anything and that's what I teach!. There are lots of "good" methods, but only one "best" method, tool, supplies, and equipment. I will teach you the best one and then give you five good reasons to do it "my way". After teaching you about soldering and it's effect on tarnishing, Mr. Norris teaches you how to make a ring or a pendant as you wish. He covers how to clean the pieces in pickle. After cleaning the piece he teaches you how to set the stone properly. Filing and finishing a Silver project is very important and covered thoroughly in this book. Correct soldering and polishing will insure that our pieces do not tarnish for many years, up to 40! His wife, Kay, and many, many students have had pieces for more that 40 years without any signs of tarnishing! You should be able to make anything you wish after reading this book, however, Mr. Norris has written many other books including, Advanced Silversmithing that covers making larger pieces and solid band rings, and Silversmyths, the 50 Myths of Silversmithing that covers all the myths about Silversmithing that his students were taught in other classes, schools, books and videos. Many of Mr. Norris' students has told him that they learn more during his two day class that all four years of college class and these were graduates of all most every school in the USA.

Mr. Norris has also written "Lapidary on a Budget", three books on "Small Wire Sculptures", "Lost Wax Casting". Don was a full time Silver and Gold caster for nearly three years before meeting and learning Silversmithing from his mentor, Earl Boyd who was 80 years old at the time. He has been teaching Silversmithing in person for the past forty years and has taught in all 50 states.
Read his books, call him, he will answer if he is still around! Mr. Norris is most likely the only author that gives all his students/readers his cell phone and email address!

411 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1999