MORE Good Reading

Here is a short list of jewelry and metalworking books I have read over the past few years:

Chain Mail Jewelry: Contemporary Designs from Classic Techniques by Terry Taylor and Dylon Whyte
I adore this book! It is well illustrated, the instructions are easy to comprehend even with limited chainmaking skills or knowledge. The book progresses from beginner weaves through more challenging weaves to "expert" weaves. It features over 30 projects in full-color and easy to interpret computer-generated graphics. If you are thinking about trying you hand at chainmaille, I highly suggest this book.

Contemporary Bead & Wire Jewelry by Nathalie Mornu & Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott
I read this book solely based on the front cover image. The herringbone weave was featured in a lovely pair of sterling silver and red bead/gemstone earrings. Well, to my disappointment, the book contained very little visual instruction and relied heavily on written step-by-step instruction. The photographs of the completed projects were inspiring, but the how-to instructions were lacking.

Creative Silver Chains: 20 Dazzling Designs by Chantal Lise Saunders
A very well written and illustrated book. I was pleased to find a book which focused on chainmaking (not chainmaille). Just a note...this book requires the use of a torch and knowledge of soldering and fusing. This is not for a novice jewelry designer.

Making Metal Jewelry: Projects, Techniques, Inspiration by Joanna Gollberg
Every jewelry designer and budding metalsmith should own this book! This is one of the few books I have purchased to keep in my home library too (most books I use are borrowed from the library). This book uses cold-connections exclusively (no torch or soldering required). One of the down sides to this book is the number of tools required to work the projects, so if you are just starting out the number of projects you will be able to create are limited. However, skills such as piercing, sawing, riveting, and joining are covered in detail. Other techniques include: metal texturing and finishing, chasing, etching, and adding a patina to certain metals.