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Average Customer Rating:

Photos Intimidating - recommend a different McCreight book

Customer Rating:

I truly wish I would have purchased "The Complete Metalsmith" by T. McCreight FIRST and possibly this book second as an inspiration/idea/picture book of metal art possibilities. Now don't get me wrong, there is a lot of useful information throughout the book, in between the incredible metal art, and he does cover some of the safety issues in one of the appendices that pleases me. Another sticking point for me is that the details are sketchy in many of the metal application processes in this book. Yes, this book was published years before "The Complete Metalsmith"...so now consider that book over this one for a more thorough review, incredible details, abundant information, great charts and tables with even more easily readable data, and so much more if you want to really get a grasp of metalwork even for beginners. I refer to "The Complete Metalsmith" frequently as it is organized in a fashion that appeals to me along with the spiral binding that keeps the page open when I need to glance at it during my work.......However, do not expect WOW images of metal art in this book. "Jewelry-Fundamentals of Metalsmithing" brings to light artists' work in beautiful photographed images. Many stimulate my brain in ways so I can create my own designs. Therefore, don't rule this book out...or at least get this book for the inspiration. You won't be disappointed.

Jewelry: Fundamentals of Metalsmithing	Customer Rating:
Interesting subject and very well presented. Will be used by me as my reference guide for new area of endeavor I am beginning.

Great book on techniques

Customer Rating:

I would like to begin by also suggesting The Complete Metalsmith by the same author. There have been several comments regarding the lack of step-by-step projects. Many other books have them, and it's nice for a visual reference I suppose, but it also leads to a lack of creativity on the part of many readers as they will just go through the entire book reproducing the projects laid out for them as opposed to using them as a jumping off point. In my opinion, the author intentionally left out the step-by-step projects to allow and encourage free thinking by the reader. Assuming this book is going to be used by artists, or people marketing themselves as artisans would dictate that they have their own creativity and artistic vision- which is not following a set of instructions to complete a particular project for production. Generally, people reading this book have their own ideas they would like to see come to fruition and would like to know the technique(s) to get to that point. So, again in my opinion, the lack of projects is great as it keeps 100's of the same piece from showing up at local craftshows and online as an "xyz original" when it is really a reproduction of a magazine or book piece. Now, please do not misunderstand my words and think that recreating an article piece is somehow derogatory. My point is many people then try to pass it off as their own original work, which is a slap in the face to any artist- again my opinion. I think this is a wonderful book and it serves its purpose. Mr. McCrieght's teaching experience shines through in his style and it is very clear.

Well Written...	Customer Rating:
...and goes well with his DVD. The text is definitely geared toward beginners. However if you're new at this, the photos of jewelry (albeit lovely) are a little intimidating. I'll use this book as a reference source for techniques, but I'm looking to Stephen O'Keeffe's "Jewelry Making" for projects I can actually achieve.

JEWELRY, Fundamentals of Metalsmithing	Customer Rating:
excellent book for the beginner. It explains at length how to do the job.