Contemporary Enameling – Art and Techniques by Lilyan Bachrach 256 pp., 550 color photos, 8-1/2″ x 1 1″ hard cover. ISBN: 0-7643-2355-5. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310 Lilyan Bachrach’s…
Camille Fauré: Impossible Objects Cork Marcheschi lSBN 615-13229-4 172 pages; full color; 11 x 9 inches This book demands to be opened. What the eye sees instantly provokes excitement to the viewer…or disgust. Carnival eye candy,…
The Little Book of Water Etching and Enameling for Metal Clay Etching with water? This may sound strange until you consider, oh yes, this is metal clay where metalworking and clay techniques have crossover. Water is used to remove metal clay…
Painted Enamels – An Illustrated Survey 1500-1920 by Erika Speel Published by Lund Humphries, Hampshire, England, 2008 Hard cover, 10-3/4″ x 8-3/4″, Illustrated jacket, 256 pages, 80 illustrations Order from: Thompson…
This handsomely presented volume has an initial chapter tided ‘An English Goldsmith’s Work History, and over 140 of the 158 pages of the book display gold and enameled pieces with virtuoso designs and flawless craftsmanship.…
In his book “For Common Things”, the American author Jedediah Purdy foretells the end of the fun society. It is a scathing dismissal of the cult of superficiality and cynical indifference. Purdy calls for a return to culture,…
Enameling Art Live by Toshiko Tanaka The World of Modern Enamel Murals 89 pages; soft, glossy covers; 172 full color illustrations, 12 drawings; 9-3/4” x 7-1/4”; Hiroshima Chuo Printing Co., Mr. Jiro Ota, Pub. Div., e-mail: chuo@lime.ocn.ne.jp.…
The Art of Enameling; Techniques, Projects, Inspiration by Linda Darty Lark Books, a division of Sterling Publishing Co. 2004; ISBN 1-57990-507-2; 176 pages, full color. Order From Thompson Enamel, cost is $24.95 USD + $3.95 for US Delivery;…
This recently published 64-page small format book gives an overview of the jewellery and luxury objects that comprise the collection known as the Cheapside Hoard. The numerous and diverse objects of the Hoard had lain undisturbed in their…
After “Plastic”, “Glass” and “Wood”, “Metals” is now the fourth volume in a successful series of books on materials. It is a pathfinder for product knowledge with a wealth of ideas and…
This article is a book review published in the 1994 Summer issue of the Metalsmith Magazine reviewing “Hydralic Die Forming for Jewelers and Metalsmiths” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Hydralic Die Forming for Jewelers and Metalsmiths…
This article is a book review published in the 1995 Fall issue of the Metalsmith Magazine including “Ancient Mesopotamian Materials and Industries: the Archaeological Evidence.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Ancient Mesopotamian…
This article is a book review published in the 1995 Spring issue of the Metalsmith Magazine including “One of a Kind, American Art Jewelry Today” by Harry N. Abrams. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ “One of a Kind”, American Art…
This article is a book review published in the 1997 Fall issue of the Metalsmith Magazine reviweing “Uber den Schmuck und das Machen” by Hermann Jünger. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Uber den Schmuck und das Machen (About Jewelry…
This article is a book review published in the 1998 Spring issue of the Metalsmith Magazine reviewing “Object and Ornament: Canadian Jewellery and Metal Art” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Object and Ornament: Canadian Jewellery…
This article is a book review of 2 books in the 1990 Spring issue of the Metalsmith Magazine including Victorian Jewelry: Unexplored Treasures by Ginny Redington Dawes and Corinne Davidov. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Victorian Jewelry:…
This article is a book review published in the 1992 Summer issue of the Metalsmith Magazine reviewing “Contemporary American Jewelry Design.” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ As its title states, Contemporary American Jewelry…
This article is a book review of 3 books from 3 authors in the 1990 Spring issue of the Metalsmith Magazine including Contemporary Patination by Ronald D. Young. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Artists’ Jewellery: Pre-Raphaelite to Arts…
This article is a book review published in the 1989 Summer issue of the Metalsmith Magazine including “Power and Gold: Jewelry from Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines” ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Power and Gold: Jewelry…
This article is for book reviews for the books “Jewelry by Architects”, “The Jewellery of René Lalique”, “Jewelry 7000 Years” and the three-set Titanium books, published in the 1988 Spring issue…
This article reviews three books “ American Jewelry: Glamour and Tradition” and “Art Aurea” and “The Eloquent Object” published in the 1988 Spring issue of the Metalsmith Magazine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ American…
This article reviews two great books “Practical Casting: A Studio Reference” and “Jewellery of the Ancient World” published in the 1986 Spring issue of the Metalsmith Magazine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~…
This article showcases book reviews for “The Art of the Jeweler”, “Bead Setting Diamonds, with Pavé Applications”, “Custom Knifemaking: 10 Proiects From a Master Craftsman” and “Pearls:…
This article showcases the book reviews for “Enamels, Enameling, Enamelists” by Glenice Lesley Matthews and “The Nature and Art of Workmanship” by David Pye published in the 1985 Winter issue of the Metalsmith…
This article showcases the book reviews for “Diamond Setting: The Professional Approach” and “Contemporary Jewellery: The Americas, Australia, Europe and Japan” published in the 1985 Spring issue of the Metalsmith…
Silversmithing is a big topic. While I have a few reservations about this book, my overall response is that it handles its content with thoroughness and detail. Let me deal with the shortcomings first. Silversmithing By Rupert Finegold and…
My first reaction when I heard about this book was, “It’s about time.” Think of it: If you tried to read every new book on jewelry-making, you would be reading most of the time. Yet, how many books can you name that concentrate…
Today’s metalsmith and jewelry designer has available a full range of reference books—from the general text, which gives a broad overview, to the topical text, which explores a specific technique in great detail. In addition, we…
This article is a book review by Hannelore Gabriel for the book “Die Granulation” by Jochem Wolters, for the 1984 Fall issue of Metalsmith Magazine. Die Granulation By Jochem Wolters D. W. Callwey, Munich, Germany, 1983 330 pages,…
This article is a book review by Tim McCreight for the book “Setting of Gemstones”, written by Walter Zeiss, for the 1984 Fall issue of Metalsmith Magazine. Setting of Gemstones By Walter Zeiss, Ruhle-Diebener-Verlag Stuttgart,…
Harold O’Connor’s latest book is both logical and well laid out and will be a valuable reference to anyone using the flexshaft machine for either production work or experimentation. The tool, the flexshaft machine, is not glorified…
Many fine books have recently been published for the serious student of metalsmithing. Tim McCreight’s new book is a tasty smorgasbord of diverse and varied metalsmithing skills. At first glance, the book is clearly an important new…
It would be inappropriate to review this book without including a short description of the craft environment of the early 50’s, when it was first published. World War II was over, and the streams that would later form the current craft…
Cuttlefish casting is a quick and fairly accurate casting method. Its applications are limited only by the thickness and overall dimensions of the shell. It is difficult to achieve fine details on the surface of the casting, but this is offset…
After making jewelry and doing lapidary work for twenty-five years, I began looking for another type of jewelry making which would be a bit different. While on a visit to the Walter’s Art Gallery in Baltimore I became fascinated with the…
A selected bibliography list for the jeweler – Metal working, Casting, Plating, Enamelling ,Gem Cutting, Setting, Engraving and Etching, Other Techniques, Jewelry Repairs and A Selected Bibliography for Materials Science for Goldsmiths…
Boy these people are really good at what they do. I’d love to watch them drawing sometime. Like their previous work ‘The Art of Jewelry Design’ this book belongs in your collection if you are interesting in drawing jewelry and…
Do you like sumptuous drawings and colored renderings of gemstones and fine jewelry? Interested in basic design principles for commercial jewelry making? Want to impress customers and colleagues with your jewelry rendering skills? This…
At the counter, you remove the tape with a sharp blade and then slide the ring up a man-drel. Next, you measure Mrs. Moder’s finger with a set of ring sizers. Comparing her finger, size 5 1 / 2, to the ring, size 6, confirms that the ring should…
Well, this is a book I have to have in my collection. I recommend it for yours. As a contemporary metal artist myself the book (and its earlier edition in 1985) is a vital resource for me, a place to see friend’s work, to moan about my own lack…
If you like art jewelry, innovative work, future jewelry directions and opening up new markets for the jewelry industry you need this book.
It is a very solid contribution to the developing world of art jewelry. (Capitalist types look…
This slim paperback book is a real addition to the book collections of the working jeweler, the jewelry shop owner, the gemologist and interestingly also to your customer, the general public. Wow! It is a compilation of straightforward information…
This book by Maryanne Dolan is in its third edition and is clearly a required text for those interested in buying, selling and evaluating rhinestone jewelry. The Rhinestone Jewelry market has grown over the past few years as anyone who goes…
The purpose of precious metal testing is to determine, first, whether a given sample is precious or base, and, second, to determine what proportion of an alloy is precious. Sophisticated equipment is used in a precious metal laboratory to…
Contemporary Japanese Jewellery, In order to introduce largely unknown contemporary Japanese jewelry to the West, British jeweler Simon Fraser, working with the advice of Toyojiro Hida, then a curator at the Crafts Gallery of the National…
The principle of this ancient, valued procedure is described here because of its historical interest, and with the thought that young people coming into the field should be aware of the basic procedures of the trade, even though they may not…
This book is not only very good, it is important. In the introduction, author David Darom, who is a marine biologist, photographer and collector of knives, describes becoming aware of a gap between the exquisite work he saw in shows and a general…
Because titanium behaves somewhat differently than the standard metals in the goldsmith’s workshop some special attention to its working is in order here. When sawing, begin the cut with a very light stroke, and increase the pressure only…
An enamel of any size can be produced by working sectionally. I cut copper sheet into irregular shapes to enhance and strengthen a design and to give the illusion of a large single piece. The pieces are mounted on a single sheet of 3/4″ marine plywood.…
To begin with I highly recommend this book of technical information and procedures for anyone wanting to learn wax modelling techniques (as always given patience and practice in carrying out the exercises). There is very little available…
This book is an expert and concise introduction to the world of carving gem materials. You could actually do it if you studied the book carefully. It offers an insight into this world, tickles you with hints of new techniques and is a solid grounding…
This book is profoundly logical, extremely obvious and demystifying. The book and it’s content presents more relevant information about glass on metal than has ever been put into print in a single volume.
The book is based on a workshop for beginners given by the author some years ago called ‘The Second Coat’. The publisher limited the book to 64 pages and wanted step-by-step projects. Since the book is about enameling and not metal working, the…
It is important to understand that many variables will affect patina results. Our tests were made on smooth, rolled metal. Textures will change the color, and cast metal has a different structure that can also influence color. These samples…
Gems are a lot of fun to render, but because they require some precision, you might want to render a gem first before spending much time on the whole piece, Transfer the outline and paint the stone first. When you like the effect, complete the rest…
For those of us who get our sustenance from books about jewelry, Ethnic Jewellery is an excellent feed. Its 170 photos of delectable jewelry, commentaries, and maps quickly wafted this reader into daydreams about the bejeweled tribes that…
John Peacock is a fashion designer’s best friend. Over the years, this former BBC costume designer has published a dozen easy-to-use sourcebooks covering 40 centuries of fashion, making them the most comprehensive record of fashion and…
This soft back book is a practical guide intended for practising goldsmiths and is developed from a number of articles by the authors originally published in AJM magazine. It comprises articles and projects on making and repairing jewellery.…
The very term art jewelry has been bandied about so much within the past few decades that one must endeavor to apply the designation correctly, and, when attempting a book of this scope, fairly comprehensively. It would be impossible to include…
Superb mographs about three contemporary metalsmiths have recently become available: Ah Xian — a Chinese sculptor who uses time-honored practices from the land of his birth, such as pierced and/or painted and glazed porcelain, carved…
Bernhard Schobinger, one of Europes most provocative and influential jewel artists, is the subject of this handsome monograph, originally produced for the first major retrospective of his work at the Museum Bellerive in Zurich , Switzerland…
The New Clay is a serious and readable text offering polyform clays as a material for unique and production jewelry and object making. Polyform clays are PVC claylike materials which come in numerous colors, consistencies and working characteristics…
ver read an annotated bibliography? Its not normally thought of as exciting reading by non-researchers. But if you are interested in the works and life of Peter Karl Faberge this bibliography is worth trying. It lists citations of written…
A welcome addition to the literature now coming out for bench jewelers, Making the Most of Your Flex-shaft by Karen Christians is an informative compilation of material for anyone who takes tools seriously. Everyone with a flex-shaft understands…
Now this is a truly attractive book. One of those coffee table type books dripping with gorgeous National Geographic quality photos, or maybe Smithsonian quality – and all about metal and gold objects. Besides being a beautiful book full of…
Two new European jewelry books crossed my desk this summer. One offered an uneven survey of jewelry concepts and the other strong work, beautiful production values, and thoughtful scholarship.
June Schwarcz (b.1918) in Denver, CO. She is a Fellow of the American Craft Council and received their Gold Medal. The museum collections that have her work include Metropolitan Museum, Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian, and Kunstgewerbe…
One of the best things about a retrospective book is having a window into the mind of an artist, meandering from idea to idea, watching as obsession evolves into recurring theme. Gijs Bakker is arguably the most famous, and certainly the most…
Full eBook.186 Pages: Modern Letter Engraving in Theory and Practice – A Manual for the Use of Watchmakers, Jewelers and Other Metal Engravers – Illustrated with Numerous Etchings – 1898
Full eBook. 96 Pages. If you’ve ever dreamed of making perfect silver beads every time, then this manual is just what you are looking for since Nancy shows you step-by-step with illustrations how to do it.
Full eBook.48 Pages: Jewelry and metalsmithing are hard work, and also very rewarding. There is great pleasure in creating with one’s hands, in the process of taking raw materials and creating something. It’s also fun to get dirty, and to bang…
With over 300 tonnes of gold used in electronics each year, end-of-life electronic equipment offers an important recycling potential for the secondary supply of gold. With gold concentrations reaching 300-350 g/t for mobile phone handsets…
This small paperback book is written and illustrated by Jan Radford. At 8.95 it is an affordable introduction to ‘Indian’ style beaded earrings made with small glass beads. It has a somewhat dry, thin feel to it, but for someone interested in…
Today’s record metals prices have probably encouraged you to be more diligent than ever about capturing every last bit of precious metal dust in your shop. With gold in the $1,600 to $1,700 range at presstime, never before have your old polishing…
About 15 years ago a friend showed me a copy of the first edition of Mark Grimwade’s Introduction to Precious Metals, and I immediately knew I wanted my own copy. Since the book was already out of print and I could not find one, I begged my friend…
This small paperback book is written and illustrated by Nola May. At $9.95 it is an affordable introduction to ‘Indian’ style beaded earrings made with small glass beads. If that sounds like a sentence I’ve written before it is because this…
This practical tool-in-a-book combines instruction on rendering techniques with unique guides that assist designers as they conceive jewelry and other works for the body. An envelop on the inside back cover contains a useful plastic template…
In this beautiful and personal volume, readers are invited to visit the sparse market stalls, examine the heirloom tools and meet the craftsmen responsible for the living tradition of jewelry in West Africa. Legacy offers step-by-step investigations…