Provides an overview of the basic equipment and techniques needed to work with traditional materials as well as plastic and acrylic.

The enthusiasm for making jewelry has been enormous in the last few years, and both the amateur and professional jewelry-makers can greatly extend the scope of their designs by learning to work with wire. With over 500 illustrations and clear, step-by-step directions, the book covers everything from beginner's to more advanced techniques. Readers will learn how to make hoop earrings, decorative chains, brooches, and much more.

A guide to making jewelry at home, including orientation to tools, materials and techniques.

What is a cabochon? What are the various types of gilding? What is vermeil? This accessible book—the first of its kind—offers concise explanations of key jewelry terms. The fascination with personal adornment is universal. It is a preoccupation that is primal, instinctive, and uniquely human. Jewelry encompasses a seemingly endless number of ornaments produced across time and in all cultures. The range of materials and techniques used in its construction is extraordinary, even revolutionary, with new substances and methods of fabrication added with every generation. In any given society, master artisans have devoted their time, energy, and talent to the fine art of jewelry making, creating some of the most spectacular objects known to humankind. This volume, geared toward jewelry makers, scholars, scientists, students, and fashionistas alike, begins with a lively introduction that offers a cultural history of jewelry and its production. The main text provides information on the most common, iconic, and culturally significant forms of jewelry and also covers materials, techniques, and manufacturing processes. Containing more than eighty color illustrations, this guide will be invaluable to all those wishing to increase their understanding and enjoyment of the art of jewelry.

The ultimate guide for the experimental jeweler, this complete how-to offers detailed instructions and clear photographs for working with all kinds of materials. From rubber, resin, glass, leather, and paper to plastics, ceramics, textiles, and natural and found objects, these options, along with precious and nonprecious metals, can all be used individually or combined in a mixed-media piece. Preceded by a helpful introduction offering guidance on essential tools and inspirational advice for self-designed projects, the main section is organized by material or media, providing details on the properties and possibilities for each as well as some inspiring examples of jewelry made using the techniques described. For the finishing touch, information on various surface textures that can be achieved for each media as well as ideas for various clasps and closures are shared.