Metal Jewelry Workshop: Essential Tools, Easy-to-Learn Techniques, and 12 Projects for the Beginning Jewelry Artist

by Helen I. Driggs

Overview

This beginner’s guide to metal jewelry making shows how to create exciting wearable art using just 12 simple, inexpensive hand tools—no jewelry torch required! Metal Jewelry Workshop includes 8 exercises and 12 projects featuring step-by-step photos that show exactly what to do and how the result should look. By working through this book you will master the use of jeweler’s tools and create beautiful pieces of jewelry along the way. This tried and true learning method will help you build a foundation of proper technique and let you excel without frustration. Wearing jewelry you made yourself means you can express your creativity, talent, and personal taste all at once.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781565239531
Publisher:	Fox Chapel Publishing Company, Incorporated
Publication date:	10/09/2018
Pages:	160
Sales rank:	1,134,193
Product dimensions:	8.00(w) x 10.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Helen I. Driggs is an experienced metalsmith, teaching artist, writer, and maker of things. Her jewelry making focus is fabrication, lapidary, metal forming, and forging. Helen is the former Senior Editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist, where she wrote the popular column “Cool Tools & Hip Tips” in every issue. Her book The Jewelry Maker’s Field Guide has become an essential study guide for aspiring metalsmiths. Helen helps thousands of students to learn the basics of metalworking, through her instructional videos and at the many classes and workshops she teaches at guilds, groups, and shows around the country. A BFA graduate of Moore College of Art, she has studied jewelry and metals independently with some of the most talented metalsmith/jewelers of our time.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Getting Started

Section 1 Jewelry Metals and Materials 10

Metal Types 12

Metal Forms 12

Other Jewelry Materials 14

Section 2 Tools of the Trade 16

General Hand Tool and Technique Categories 18

Workshop Safety 18

The Jeweler's Dozen 19

Part 2 Working with Metal

Section 1 Preparing Metal 26

Cleaning and Degreasing Metal 28

Measuring and Pattern Layout 29

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 1: B+S Gauge 30

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 2: Millimeter Ruler 31

Exercise 1 Adhering a Pattern to Sheet Metal 32

Section 2 Manipulating Metal 34

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 3: Ring Clamp 36

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 4: Basic Utility Pliers 37

Exercise 2 Bending and Shaping Wire with Pliers 39

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 5: Utility Hammer 43

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 6: Steel Block or Anvil 44

Exercise 3 Texturing Sheet Metal with a Hammer 45

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 7: Center Punch 46

Exercise 4 Predictable Punching 47

Section 3 Severing and Separating Metal 48

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 8: Jeweler's Saw 50

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 9: Bench Pin 52

Exercise 5 Sawing a Practice Pattern 53

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 10: Metal Shears and Wire Cutters 54

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 11: Hole Punch, Hand Drill, or Rotary Tool 56

Exercise 6 Punching and Drilling Holes 57

Exercise 7 Sawing Openings in Sheet Metal 58

Section 4 Filing and Abrading Metal 60

Jeweler's Dozen Tool 12: Basic Hand Files 62

Exercise 8 Filing Wire, Sheet Metal, and Square Rod 64

Bonus Tool Sanding with Abrasive Papers 67

Part 3 Projects

Section 1 Fabrication with Wire 70

Mastering Wire-Wrapped Bead Links 72

Making Jump Rings with a Mandrel 74

Project 1 Easy Wire and Bead Chain 76

Project 2 Hammered Jump Ring and Bead Earrings 80

Project 3 Wild Wire Links Bracelet 84

Section 2 Fabrication with Sheet Metal 90

Project 4 Variable Earrings 92

Project 5 Wonky Copper and Aluminum Necklace 98

Project 6 Saw a Little, Saw a Lot Pendant 102

Part 4 Advanced Projects & Concepts

Section 1 Connections and Attachments 108

Custom Chain Designs 110

Making Handmade Clasps and Findings 114

Project 7 Copper Boxcars Necklace 116

Project 8 Oculus Stone Bead Pendant 120

Project 9 Riveted Bead Rings 124

Section 2 Tools to Take Your Techniques Further 128

Project 10 Domed and Layered Flowers Pendant 130

Dapping Block and Punch Making Curved Forms 132

Project 11 Summer Treasure Riveted Pendant 134

Rivet Hammer: A Double-Duty Tool 136

Project 12 Tabbed Cabochon Pendant 140

Scribe Precise Scores and Folds 142

No-Torch Connections and Captures Gallery 144

Glossary 152

Patterns 154

Resources 157

About the Author 158

Index 159

Editorial Reviews

The photography and illustrations are well done and support the instructions well.

Nonstop Reader

A great book for the crafty in your life.

The Glen Cairn Community Resource Centre - Janet Cousineau

A great book for beginners with plenty of good information and projects for more experienced metalworkers. As a novice, I found the information and instructions in this book very helpful. There are lots of photos and explanation of techniques, tools, and materials to guide me through the projects, and handy reference information that would make this book good to refer back to. Lots of cool projects too! I would definitely recommend this book for those starting out in metalworking or wanting to brush up their skills.

Barnes and Noble - April Gray