Soldering. The Final Frontier. The voyages of jewelry makers need to include this territory! But often, even the thought of using any hot connection technique is off putting to many jewelry makers. So perhaps we need baby steps. This new book by the renowned metal smith instructor, Kate Richbourg, might just be the right thing to launch into this very useful technique.
I received her book from the publisher, Interweave,
Simple Soldering: A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making
for review. The book also comes with a 164 minute DVD. It did not disappoint. What Kate does is to take beginners slowly through basic soldering. With both print and video, all the procedures are well covered.
The author goes to great lengths to show that hot techniques like torch soldering does not need a large set up, much space or expensive tools. I particularly liked how the various tool groups were displayed and photographed in the book. The images work very well in teaching the students the various tools needed in various categories.
The most distinctive and innovative part of the book was the samples section where Kate simplified the learning process through the making of 16 1 x 1 inch copper square samples. The idea comes from the embroidery samples young girls once stitched to learn various stitches.
The skills learned include how to rivet, anneal, working with different types of solders, shaping and soldering domes and so on.
The objective of the samples section is to prepare the student for the following 20 projects. These designs were simply gorgeous. Some were practical findings like clasps such as this soldered and wire wrapped toggle below.
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| Dangly Toggle |
Kate Richbourg's elegant ring projects were all outstanding. These are the kinds of designs which surely will inspire those towards metal smith techniques. She shows how simple rings can be made, how to solder dapped (domed) discs or metal cut outs to rings and how to give them a professional finish.
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| Flower Ring |
I would not have thought one could rivet a pearl but it can be done!
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| Pearl and Silver 5 Stack Rings |
The ability to solder just opens up so many design possibilities. Another excellent project from the book is the one below. The decorative elements are soldered to the metal rectangles. Tube rivets are then placed to give a clean finish for the jump rings.
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| Tube Riveted Pendants |
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| Pearl Dangle Pendant |
If this book does not entice beginners to start on their soldering journey, then perhaps nothing else will! Highly recommended for budding metal smiths.
Giveaway If you'd like to win a copy of
Simple Soldering: A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making, please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
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This giveaway is international. If the winner has a non-post box US address, the prize will be a physical book. Otherwise it will be an eBook. Extra entries if you become or are a blog subscriber or follower etc. If you also do shout outs about this giveaway, those will count as additional entries too! Please say so in the comments.
It ends in a week's time at
6 pm EST Monday, February 29 , 2016 . I will pick the winner randomly and announce the results as soon as possible after. So be sure to leave a contact email if you don't have an online link or make sure you come back and check! Otherwise I will redraw in a week. Good luck!
Disclosure I receive books and products for review. I do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
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