Soldering Made Simple: Easy techniques for the kitchen-table jeweler


Joe Silvera - 2010
    Soldering Made Simple takes all the mystery and fear out of soldering so that amateur jewelry makers — even those who have never held a torch — feel empowered and confident. Friendly and thorough instructional text and step-by-step photos help readers build skills gradually, which they can then employ with the included projects. Joe Silvera presents soldering techniques that use a simple setup, a handheld butane torch that is safe and easy to operate, and a few other supplies.

Harmony Guide: Knit & Purl: 250 Stitches to Knit (Harmony Guides)


Erika Knight - 2007
    Featuring more than 250 classic and contemporary stitch patterns, this updated guide includes instructions for knitters of all levels. From the basic knit and purl stitch to the seed stitch to a fanciful ladder pattern, each of the featured stitches is detailed with a color photograph and handy how-to instructions. Both new and classic yarn varieties are covered, and insider tips designed to facilitate personalization are featured throughout. For projects ranging from the simple to the ornate, this extensive catalog is brimming with stitch inspiration.

Chain Mail Jewelry: Contemporary Designs from Classic Techniques


Terry Taylor - 2006
    The 30 projects include a simple pendant encasing a large semiprecious stone and a flat chain-mail neckpiece.

Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies: 20 Yummy Treats to Wear


Twinkie Chan - 2010
    The founder of her own popular line of food-inspired fashions, Twinkie Chan has whipped up a feast of head-turning scarves, mittens, hats, and more so that her many fans can learn to make her culinary creations at home.You'll find recipes for food-themed scarves that feature sushi, salad, gingerbread men, buttered toast, eggs and bacon, ice-cream cones, popcorn boxes, and more. You'll also learn how to make a pair of strawberry fingerless mittens, a chocolate cupcake hat complete with a cherry on top, and even a coconut-lemon cake tissue box cozy. Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies is divided into three chapters--Sweet Things, Fruits and Veggies, and Savory Stuff--and comes complete with an illustrated how-to section, lists of "ingredients" for each project, easy-to-follow, step-by-step directions, and full-color photos and illustrations. Beginning and experienced crafters alike will go wild for these quirky, colorful, wearable confections.

The Workbench Guide to Jewelry Techniques


Anastasia Young - 2010
    Offering detailed explanations and step-by-step photography to demonstrate procedures, this handbook includes a complete reference section featuring tool shapes, an index of gems, a glossary, standard sizes and measurements, conversion tables, and an extensive list of resources. Additionally, the manual offers a directory of tools and materials—including a key to identifying tools for a “beginner’s kit”—a historical introduction to jewelry, and suggestions for photographing and promoting completed pieces. Remarkable cutting-edge pieces by jewelry makers and designers from around the world are used to illustrate the various processes involved in creating exceptional jewelry. Covering everything from traditional metalsmithing skills and using alternative materials, such as plastics and resin, to discussing issues involved with outsourcing work to specialist external suppliers, this is an indispensable and essential resource for both students and professionals.

Simple Soldering: A Beginner's Guide to Jewelry Making


Kate Ferrant Richbourg - 2012
    Fortunately, Simple Soldering proves that does not need to be the case. This handy how-to guide is complete in its exploration of the craft of creating soldered metal jewelry, including tools, techniques, and 20 beautiful projects that beginners and enthusiasts can make at home.Author and teacher Kate Richbourg demystifies basic soldering for any home crafter, showing how to create sophisticated, polished, and professional-looking jewelry pieces through simple soldering techniques. First, she instructs how to set up a jewelry workspace that fits the confines of your budget and living space. Detailed step-by-step instructions walk you through the basic tools and materials you need, plus how to use them. A sample chapter gives a host of introductory exercises that teach solid skills, allowing you to test these techniques on a small scale. Finally, you'll discover 20 finished projects that include earrings, pendants, rings, bracelets, and clasps that may also include bead or wire embellishment.Kate also demonstrates how to combine and layer techniques to gorgeous effect. She also examines common mistakes, shows how to correct or adapt them, and gives advice on when it’s time to start over. Most of all, having taught thousands of classes on soldering, Kate has a "you can do it!" attitude that shines through to help even the most reluctant jewelry maker fire up the torch with ease.Paired with an instructional DVD, Kate’s expert teaching skills will help projects come alive, right in your own studio.With Simple Soldering, the art of metal working one-of-a-kind jewelry is now at your fingertips.

Wire Style


Denise Peck - 2008
    Beginning with a primer on basic tools and techniques and covering fundamental wire-working skills in detail, including wire-wrapping, weaving, coiling, chain-making, hammering, texturing, and oxidizing, this guide helps jewelry makers of all skills levels develop a range of talents. Each project includes a comprehensive materials list and step-by-step instructions that guide crafters through a variety of projects, including wrapping found objects with wire, making chain mail, creating spirals, straightening wire, making jump rings and ear wires, and creating clasps. Constructed with many different materials—from precious metals to plated and colored wire—these striking creations are a mix of funky and fabulous wire designs combined with stones, beads, and cords to create an interesting and eclectic jewelry collection.

Creating Life-Like Animals in Polymer Clay


Katherine Dewey - 2000
    With the friendly medium of polymer clay and the step-by-step instructions in this book, you can achieve the same magical results! Inside, Katherine leads you through then utterly charming projects, such as a sweet little bluebird, a basset hound and a white-tailed fawn. And that's just the start! The "Making Changes" chapter will help you create your own original animal creations by changing poses, making realistic bases, and even modeling your animals to look like bronze, fade and other materials.

Steampunk Style Jewelry: Victorian, Fantasy, and Mechanical Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings


Jean Campbell - 2010
    In Steampunk circles, jewelry-makers are often master metalsmiths who combine found objects with fine metals to create elaborate pieces. In Steampunk-Style Jewelry, the projects focus on "no fire" techniques—like simple stringing, wirework, hammering, stamping, gluing, stitching, and off-loom beadwork—so that even a beginner can create pieces in the style. Each project provides a complete materials and tools list, step-by-step instructions, and clear illustrations. This book offers a broad overview of a growing design trend that is part of the literary, industrial design, fashion, and popular culture scene. Readers will learn about the art movement through the many photographic sidebars that explore the many aspects of the trend.

The Encyclopedia of Jewelry-Making Techniques


Jinks McGrath - 1995
    Complete with instructions for designing and presenting jewelry concepts as working drawings. Step-by-step color photos make every instruction and entry easy to understand.

Steampunk Softies: Scientifically-Minded Dolls from a Past That Never Was


Sarah Skeate - 2011
    Even if you're unfamiliar with the term "steampunk," chances are you've already discovered it through the works of Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Tim Burton, Mary Shelley, or Lemony Snicket. Steampunk is an artistic movement that includes stories involving steam-powered versions of modern technology in a fictionalized Victorian setting.Staying true to steampunk style, Skeate and Tedman's inventive Steampunk Softies feature prominent science fiction and fantasy elements, as well as anachronistic inventions and props. In addition, many have dual roles that add practicality to their punk existence—the Lady makes an excellent paperweight, while the Illusionist's cloak doubles as a screen cleaner. Despite their meticulous detailing, Steampunk Softies are simple enough for even a sewing novice to construct. A short biography accompanies each softie, providing a background story for each character. Also included are a complete list of supplies, illustrated step-by-step blueprints, and a handy, back-of-the-book reference section that provides tips on aging and distressing project materials.Venture full steam ahead into your next crafting project with Steampunk Softies.

How To Crochet: A Complete Guide for Absolute Beginners


Alison McNicol - 2013
    * Easy to follow How To Crochet illustrations * Fun and simple projects to make * Learn a variety of crochet stitches and skills * Perfect for absolute beginners * Projects include hats, scarves, mittens, baby blankets, scented hearts, granny squares and more! This is the ONLY beginner's book you'll need to start to crochet today!!

Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop: Techniques and Projects for Weaving with Wire


Karen Karon - 2012
    In Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop, you'll find more than two dozen techniques for making today's most popular chain maille weaves—from simple chains to beaded wonders to intricate Dragonscale.Jewelry artist and author Karen Karon pairs in-depth, step-by-step instructions with color illustrations that show exactly where to place the next jump ring. You'll also get a thorough but flexible approach to techniques that prove weaving can be done in a multitude of ways and demonstrations on “speed weaving,” which is ideal for large projects. Designs progressively increase in complexity, so every jewelry maker—beginner or pro—will find inspiration and projects that suite their skill level.What's more to love? Every chapter provides a unique jewelry project and a plethora of design advice, visual inspiration, shortcuts, tips, and tricks, as well as guidance for attaching clasps and findings. It's no wonder that Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop is the ideal resource for innovation and originality in chain maille jewelry making.

Knit Noro: Accessories: 30 Colorful Little Knits


Vogue Knitting - 2012
    Hand colored in vivid combinations of painterly hues, Noro yarns are as striking to behold as they are easy to work with. This follow-up to Knit Noro features 32 small projects knitters can complete in a weekend, including Leg Warmers, Cabled Mittens, a Lace Flap Hat, and even an iPad cover.

Knit Red: Stitching for Women's Heart Health


Laura Zander - 2012
    These 30 beautiful red-themed projects help raise awareness of the number-one killer of women today: heart disease. The patterns are all donated by top designers, including Debbie Stoller, Nicky Epstein, Debbie Bliss, Norah Gaughan, Deborah Newton, Melissa Morgan-Oakes, Iris Schreier, Jared Flood, and Ysolda Teague. In addition, the book offers important medical information, a Heart Healthy Resources and Action Plan, and powerful stories from survivors of this deadly ailment.