Fit To Print Review -- Chain and Bead Jewelry Soldering Connections by Scott David Plumlee

Well, David Plumlee has done it again!  Another of his beautiful books landed on my doorstep but this time there's a twist -- he teaches us to solder!

The book covers twenty simple projects using sterling silver, bronze, copper, and gold jump rings.  I love that he shows how to solder rings, many using a butane torch, such as this Blazer torch:

The beginning of the book covers the basics, which includes a handy and complete demonstration on making ear wires, a magnetic clasp, and a hammered S-clasp.  He also covers the finishing process, which I found very informative, particularly when he talked about a second pickling process.  I've run into the same technical issues he discussed, and when I tried his solution, it cleared my problem right up.  

The projects are fantastic, and many of them don't require you to solder.  Earrings can be solder-free, due to their nature, and some of the bracelets are able to be made without firing up a torch.  However, David's explanations and diagrams are so easy to follow, you'll be able to whip out that torch and become an expert in no time.

The designs are fresh and creative.  The Beaded Triad earrings above prepare you for the Beaded Triad bracelet and the Beaded Star key fob and earrings.  He also shows you how to make a stunning mobius pair of earrings (shown below) and a bracelet.

One of the things I love about Scott David Plumlee's book is it's not all chain maille -- it goes into forging as well.  The other beauty is the projects are accessible and doable for all skill levels.  It's a terrific book with a lot of places for you to jump off and run with your own creative variations.

Highly recommended!!!!

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site lorianderson.net.  She writes the blog Pretty Things.  She lives in Maryland.

Fit to Print Book Review: Wire Art Jewelry Workshop

Wire Art Jewelry Workshop by Sharilyn Miller is one of those books jammed packed with tips and tricks that you'll be turning to again and again if you love working with wire already or if you'd like to learn how to tame wire in your jewelry-making designs.

The book is broken down into simple directions to create the basic building blocks of working with wire.  Once you have mastered the techniques Sharilyn walks you through several projects that mix the techniques in complex jewelry creations.  Even if you have been working with wire for a while, you'll learn rock solid techniques to improve your designs. 

I love that the many of the projects are shown in copper as well as silver and some are mixed metal. If you aren't ready to invest in silver while you are learning, you can see how wonderfully earthy the copper designs look.

An instructional DVD is included in the book and shows how to create several techniques.  While the book is very well photographed with great step-by-step directions, it's helpful to see how the author actually creates the pieces, holds the wire and offers some insider tips as she goes along.

 

Fit to Print -- Chain and Bead Jewelry Geometric Connections: A New Angle on Creating Dimensional Earrings, Bracelets, and Necklaces

In my hot little hands I have an advance copy of "Chain and Bead Jewelry -- Geometric Connections" by the incredibly talented Scott David Plumlee.

David's third book, published by Watson-Guptill Publications

I first discovered David Plumlee when I started making jewelry six years ago.  Chain maille is one of the jewelry styles I admire, so I fell in love with David's work.  He takes chain maille and adds his own special touch to it, adding beads, mixing metals, and creating his own unique designs.


In this book, David adapts and builds upon the Byzantine weave, a common and (to most) easily learned weave.  I've made several of his projects in his other books, and this book continues the tradition of plentiful and wonderfully photographed instructions.  (I'm partial to photographs rather than drawings of chain maille instructions -- to me, they're easier to follow.)

Quatrafoil Earrings from www.davidchain.com

The projects are gorgeous and rich.  This is NOT your basic chain maille book!  My favorite section is Plumlee's "Organic Formations" chapter.  Here, he teaches you how to make a Beaded Fish formation (which translates into a set of jewelry), Beaded Byzantine Cross earrings, Beaded Snowflake variations, and a Beaded Butterfly formation (also for a jewelry set).

Triangle Keyfob, from www.davidchain.com

My recommendations:

If you are a chain maille enthusiast -- buy this book.  It's a must-have.  It will excite your imagination and give you options like you won't believe.

If you've never tried chain maille -- buy it, make the byzantine bracelet in the first project a few times, then dive in.  Once you master some of the easier pieces, try out the rest of the projects.  Some are definitely easier than others, and you can usually tell by looking at them which are the toughies.  But once you get a few under your belt, you'll be fine.  And you'll WANT to try these projects once you see them!

The book comes out November 16th.

Enjoy!

Legalese:  These opinions are my own, and I was not paid to make them.

Lori Anderson creates jewelry for her web site, Lori Anderson Designs, and writes the blog Pretty Things and An Artist's Year Off.  She lives in Maryland.