Metal jewelry - no matter what metal you are using - is one of those arts - or hobbies - that you hardly acquire easily, just by yourself, unless investing an impressive amount of time - counted in years - and resources - both material and financial - on one hand to learn the basic and advanced skills and on the other hand for purchasing the many tools needed to achieve various project. Even the simplest shape of an earring, you need to know what pliers and type of metal suits as well as basic design skills. You only want to have some fun and not considering an additional line of revenue on Etsy? Still, you should at least know how to start doing something you will enjoy to wear it.
This book has a lot of details about materials, tools and techniques to be used, as well as some projects to be developed but personally I´ve found a bit difficult to achieve them. In some cases I needed the proper metal, in other case, the tools, in most cases I was not sure what I am doing and I decided to rather focus on acquiring some new skills through active workshops and learning. Not everything suits technically the do-it-yourself mindset and it is a good reminder that we are meant to collaborate and work together and exchange experience.

This invaluable tutorial has everything for the beginning or advanced metal jewelry workshop enthusiast. All the basic tools and types that are needed to get started were clearly illustrated. Detailed examples for jewelry fabrication were provided from beginning to end. Without a doubt, this was the best hands-on reference manual that I have yet to come across for this subject matter. I heartily recommend this book for anyone seeking advice or looking to improve their skills when working with metal jewelry.

I send my gratitude to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

*~.Book Analysis.~*
Just remembering that those were my impressions and opinion as a reader :)

Rating: 4 stars
Reading period: Nov. 26th, 2018
Format: ebook
Source: NetGalley – I have received this book in exchange for an honest review.
Release date: Oct. 08th, 2018

PROS
This book is very detailed on every step to teach the reader how to make home jewelry! You don’t need to have previous experience: just grab this book, buy the materials and tools, and you can start making your art! And, as the book teaches the basic formats and all, as soon as you get a little experience, it’s easier to make designs of your own!

CONS
I honestly didn’t like most of the models that the book taught how to make, so I would have to search up other models with the same principles until I gained enough experience to come up with my own designs…

COVER ANALYSIS
For a book with so many magical lessons, I think this cover is a bit disappointing. If I saw it on a bookshop, it wouldn’t spark my attention enough for me to pick it up and take a look. The colors are too similar and dark, and for a jewelry book, it lacks light and sparkles.

RECOMMENDED FOR
Readers with a passion for DIY works!

This is a FANTASTIC introduction for anyone who wants to learn to make their own jewelry. While the title is geared toward the beginner, I read the book based upon reviews that said it was for intermediate to advanced artists. As someone who considers herself an intermediate metalsmith, I consider this booked geared to beginners, as does the author. If you are seriously interested in learning some basics and getting started, or dusting off some old skills, this is the perfect starting place!

I always find other artists' designs to be interesting. While I am more of a true metalsmith, I began my foray into jewelry working with wire and worked my way up. DEFINITELY give this book a read and try a project or two, or three all of them, and see if this is a hobby for you.

A wonderful metal jewelry guidebook. This is a Great reference for a new artist to grow their library, and some great ideas for the experienced artist. Instructions are cleaned pictures are helpful. Thank you to the opportunity to review this book

One of the better books on metal jewellery making, and an excellent book for both jewellery makers with some experience and complete novices.
The book starts off with and fabulously introduction to materials, tools and methods, well explained and well photographed. There are six easy projects in the book followed by three which are a little more challenging and requiring extra tools - which are also explained at the start of the chapter. At the end there is a gallery of items that can be made. The projects to make are very nice and no-one would be ashamed to wear.
A good practical book with good designs.

A beautiful thoughtfully crafted instructional book on crafting metal jewelry. There are chapters on the materials with descriptions and pictures of many types, then the twelve most helpful tools used in metalcraft. Next each tool is pictured and shown with instructions and pictures what can be done with it. Finally there are twelve projects of increasing difficulty with each outlined step by step with photographs to completion. This book is so well done that a beginner could use it to become a metal jewelry crafter with patience and practice. It is a magnificent tool for learning this craft. It has a list of resources where all the materials can be found. She even talks about less expensive tools that can be used until the crafter is ready to invest the money in the more expensive versions. She also encourages practicing with less expensive materials before using the precious stones and metals. I would recommend this book to any reader who has an interest in developing these skills.

This book is geared for those who consider themselves intermediate or advanced jewelry crafters. Upon reading it, the reader will discover lessons in wire wrapping and metal stamping that may be things they already know but will be good refreshers. But for anyone looking to delve further into the complexities of filing, sanding, and buying the right tools, this book will be good to keep around as a better reference than watching YouTube.

One of the things I hear most often from successful jewelry artists is that they learned each process step-by-step, and made sure they were proficient in each process before moving on to the next one. This book offers 8 exercises along the way, and 12 projects to help beginning jewelry artists learn basic steps. It also has in depth information on key jewelry making tools.

Metal Jewelry Workshop is a new tutorial instruction manual for aspiring metalsmiths by Helen I. Driggs. Due out 8th Oct, 2018 from Fox Chapel, it's 160 pages and available in paperback format.

This book is a nice beginning introduction to metalworking and presupposes no experience. The author follows a logical progression, starting with an introduction to tools and materials. One thing I really appreciated was how she grouped tools into an essential 'jeweler's dozen'. The introduction also includes a necessary and understandable discussion of safety and sensible precautions to prevent injury and insure the best results.

The projects themselves are presented in series, with more complex items using concepts and techniques from earlier chapters. Although the projects are more 'artsy' and modern, the lessons presented include cold connections, chainwork, shaping, sawing, fabrication, work hardening and all the basic coldworking techniques one would expect from a more formal jewelry course. The materials are inexpensive (copper, base metals) but the techniques are perfectly applicable to more precious metals and materials. I especially liked the author's suggested uses for gallery wire and patterned sheet.

The book's final section includes more advanced cold techniques to expand the beginning artist's repertoire and the author gives some good advice about potential further exploration. There's a nice full color gallery along with a glossary, index and resource list (aimed at North Americans). This book does not cover torchwork and none of the projects require a torch. The toolbox is very basic and easily acquired.

The last project in the book is a tabbed one-piece cabochon setting which is large enough to not frustrate newer metalworkers and detailed enough to give a nice finished wearable result.

The photography and illustrations are well done and support the instructions well.

The is a must have book for any crafter who wants to make jewellery. All the techniques you need to master are easily and clearly explained. For me the most interesting part of the book was the explanation of the equipment you need and how to use and look after it. I like to use multi media and techniques in my art work and this book has given me some new ideas to take forward. Many thanks to the publisher and Helen Driggs for this advanced copy.

A great book for beginners with plenty of good information and projects for more experienced metalworkers. As a novice, I found the information and instructions in this book very helpful. There are lots of photos and explanation of techniques, tools, and materials to guide me through the projects, and handy reference information that would make this book good to refer back to. Lots of cool projects too! I would definitely recommend this book for those starting out in metalworking or wanting to brush up their skills.