Basic Jewelry Making Techniques

by Jinks McGrath

Nothing is more gratifying than receiving a compliment on a piece of handmade jewelry. However many regard making jewelry as being too difficult and tedious. Basic Jewelry Making Techniques shows how, after mastering only a few basic techniques, crafting even the most complicated jewelry pieces becomes an easy task. Readers will learn to use techniques such as soldering, texturing, and enameling on wood, acrylic, glass, precious stones, and more. Detailed instructions and illustrations accompany each project, and designs are flexible enough to be modified. Professional jeweler, Jinks McGrath explains how to optimize minimal workspace with suggestions for home workshop designs. She also reviews the necessary tools to begin and the larger equipment to buy as skills develop. * Teaches how to optimize space for effective workshop design at home * Includes instant reference tables for conversion formulae and melting point temperatures * Features projects using silver, wood, acrylic, and more that utilize all modern jewelry-making techniques

Genres: Jewellery, Jewellery Making, Crafts

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

Reviews

[Amy Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't speak to the 2003 edition; it might be more updated than the edition I read. Mine is from 1993, and it definitely shows in the styles. The good thing is that a lot of jewelry is timeless, and a lot of the pieces can be altered to fit current styles. I like that, rather than focusing on individual projects, the book focuses on techniques.
The first thing that threw me off about the book was the title. It should have indicated that it was more for metalsmithing or working with fine jewelry components. I associate "Basic Jewelry Making" more with beading, stringing, basic wire work, etc.
With those things being said, overall, this was a great introductory book to making precious jewelry. It's split into four sections: planning your workshop, designing projects, basic techniques, and advanced techniques. There's a quick technical reference to help with things like melting points and metal weights, and there's a glossary to reference if you're unfamiliar with terms. The book gives a good overview of all kinds of techniques, from beginner to advanced, and it would make a great accompaniment to online videos or act nicely as a supplement to a beginner's class.