There are many excellent metalsmith instructors out there. But if I had to pick just one, I would pick Kate Richbourg. This veteran teacher knows just how to approach metalsmithing so students can learn without being overwhelmed or intimidated. One example is her
FREE Micro Torch Basics mini class from Craftsy. (
my review here). Adept in print as well as in person, she is clear and succinct.
I recently received her most recent book
Metalsmithing Made Easy from Interweave for review. This follows
her successful book Simple Soldering which I also reviewed. She again uses a student friendly lesson plan of techniques to take metalsmithing newcomers through the basics.
The first 4 chapters covers thoroughly all you need to know about the various kinds of torches, tools, solders, metals and materials metalsmiths use. She takes the student through proper set-ups and covers problem solving and tips. For example, in addition to her jewelry saw blade guide for different metal sheet gauges, she also offers a simple rule of thumb - about two teeth on the blade should be the same width as the thickness of the metal.
Hand held rotary tools are commonly used to make tasks much easier. Why sand by hand if you can use an electric tool? Her coverage of virtually all the different bits, burrs and accessories you can get for this tool type is thorough in the chapter devoted just to rotary tools.
Like her previous book, this instructor again takes the student through different samplers. There are 15 samplers in all covering
soldering, filing, punching holes, making jump rings and chain links, annealing, texturing, stamping, granulation techniques, riveting, bezel settings with decorative bezel wire, prongs, rotary filing, using a metal cutoff wheel, drilling holes into metal and stone, tube setting and removing solder. It is as comprehensive as it can get given the scope of the book.
The 15 projects all show this instructor's creativity not just in design but in teaching through the projects. She has earrings, rings, locket, pendant and bracelet designs. I have selected a few to feature. Choosing was very difficult as all the designs were excellent.
The
Belt Pendant below requires drilling holes into the gemstone and riveting.
Rings are this designer's forte. There are several in this book. Her
Carved Rings teaches how to make a metal ring and use a rotary tool with the appropriate accessory to carve out patterns. Stamping also adds to the texture of these rings.
Her earrings with balled accents is an exercise in drawing beads (melting the ends of metal wire or short lengths of wire into balls).
The picture below shows the
back of her
Prong Set Pendant. The armature can easily be adjusted to suit any shape of stone.
This
Riveted Hook and Eye Clasp is so unique:
Her Tile Bracelet is a vision in copper. Several half round bails were made from wire and soldered to the back of the plates. These were where the jump rings connect the stamped tiles.
The book not only instructs but inspires. A reference book in many ways and a must have to any beginner metalsmith. Highly recommended.
GiveawayIf you'd like to win a copy of
Metalsmithing Made Easy
please make a comment below. Make sure you leave contact info below if you do not have an online shop or blog.
Email subscribers need to scroll down the post they receive, click on Share Comment and enter your comment. Pick Name/URL. If you don't have a store or blog, leave the URL blank.
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. (The exception is Facebook - just like/comment on the giveaway status there!!)
It ends in a week's time at
6 pm EST Monday, September 19 , 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!
DisclosureI do receive a small fee for any products purchased through affiliate links. This goes towards the support of this blog and to provide resource information to readers. The opinions expressed are solely my own. They would be the same whether or not I receive any compensation.
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