Small Scale Silversmithing

Small-Scale Silversmithing

Silversmithing is an exciting and developing craft, which combines traditional techniques with contemporary design and technology. This practical book introduces the craft with a guide to the workshop and its tools, then emphasises the importance of drawing and design before explaining key techniques and showing how they can be used in clearly illustrated projects. By keeping the individual pieces small, it explains a range of skills that can be developed and combined to make more adventurous items. It discusses transforming silver sheets or rods into three-dimensional shapes using sinking, raising and forging techniques. It teaches how to silver solder and attach handles to the rounded body of a bowl and create well-fitting seams. Nine projects illustrate the techniques in use and include making spoons, round boxes, hinged lids, drinker beakers and candlesticks.

Making Wire Jewellery

Precious metal wire is a versatile material that can be used to great advantage in jewellery design. This book focuses on using soldering techniques to confidently construct wearable wire jewellery designs. It incorporates fundamental skills such as cutting, filing, annealing and soldering, and encourages the maker to master these basic techniques, so they can create individual articles of wire jewellery using their own inspiration and designs. Suggestions on how to approach the design process through sketching, model making and creating test pieces. Comprehensive list of tools and equipment needed for working with wire. Illustrated step-by-step instruction for learning basic wire working processes, such as drawing, twisting, hammering and soldering wire. Practical advice for constructing more complicated pieces of jewellery containing structural forms. Further instruction for making chain, applying surface finishes and adding decorative elements to individual designs.

Practical Silver-smithing & Jewelry