Practical Jewelry-Making Techniques: Problem Solving

Hands-on guidance on solving problems in jewelry-making.

Jewelry-Making Techniques: Problem Solving departs from tradition by offering serious instruction to jewelry makers without assuming an advanced degree of prior knowledge. It presents a comprehensive survey of the core jewelry-making techniques while providing easier alternative solutions that get the same results as traditional methods. Each chapter is packed with unique ideas on how the jewelry artist can make tasks simpler, quicker or less expensive and still produce beautiful pieces. There are instructions for adapting and making problem-solving tools and jigs from everyday items, and tips on identifying potential pitfalls in a project and avoiding costly mistakes.

Step-by-step lessons in jewelry technique accompany over 50 projects designed to put the skills in practice while creating beautiful pieces. Thorough explanations and hundreds of close-up photographs with detailed captions ensure the book will become a well-used reference for the jewelry maker. "You Will Need" boxes keep track of tools and materials, and "Tip" inserts offer sound advice born of experience. Where needed, there are design sketches with measurements.

The chapters are:

• Tools for jewelry-making
• Basic techniques
• The making of simple specialized tools
• Punch and die
• Alternative methods of soldering
• Wire scrollwork
• The coming block
• Applications of the screw
• The removable spindle tool
• Findings
• Ring-sizing and wire-sizing tables.

Those with any level of jewelry-making experience will enjoy and greatly benefit from the author's decades of experience, his clear instruction and the wealth of useful illustrations in this book. It is sure to be a welcome choice for both students and professional crafters.

Stephen O'Keeffe has been a teacher of craft and design, specializing in jewelry, for more than 20 years. He teaches students of all ages and is constantly experimenting with new techniques to make the craft easier to master. He is the author of Tips and Shortcuts for Jewelry-Making.