Creative Silver Chains: 20 Dazzling Designs

Creative Silver Chains: 20 Dazzling Designs
by Chantal L. Saunders

Creative Silver Chains: 20 Dazzling Designs
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Book Summary Information

Author: Chantal L. Saunders
Edition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2005-10-01
ISBN: 157990615X
Number of pages: 112
Publisher: Lark Books

Book Reviews of Creative Silver Chains: 20 Dazzling Designs

Book Review: Good introductory book
Summary: 4 Stars

Saunders addresses the beginning jeweler - someone who's new to the tools and techniques, and wants a step by step guide to the basics. The first few pages of the book go over a modest set of tools, unlike other books that might overwhelm a beginner with the complexity (and expense) of a fully equipped studio. My only criticism in the section has to do with torches and fuel - you don't need a full-sized tank of acetylene for your first project. Small, disposable fuel and oxygen tanks are easy to find at most hardware stores, and quite adequate for beginning hobbyists. Another minor error caught my eye, too, the statement that a troy ounce is 28 grams. That's true of common (avoirdupois) ounces, but the troy ounces used for precious metals are different, and equal about 31 grams.

Having described the tools, Saunders then shows their use, including basics like bending wire and adjusting the torch's flame. After a few pages of design principles, the book gets down to its real core: twenty approachable projects. Each has clear directions for every step, and uses just one or two of the basic techniques. The whole set of projects develops a wide range of fabrication skills, but encourages the beginner to acquire them one at a time.

Even if the chains themselves don't interest a budding jeweler (hard to imagine), the tools and skills shown here will be applicable to lots of other projects. Despite a few minor flaws, this book will be very helpful, and the masterworks shown throughout are sure to inspire.

-- wiredweird

Summary of Creative Silver Chains: 20 Dazzling Designs

Silver chains are the backbone of any jewelry collection and these distinctive designs have those special handmade touches that machine-made jewelry just can't match--magnificent hammered silver, intriguingly complex links, and common motifs twisted into charming patterns. And anyone can craft them, with this extensively illustrated introduction that explains all the basics, from link formation to soldering and polishing. There's additional information on pivots and joinery, and even how to consider the effect of gravity on the finished piece as it rests on the body. Try the Geometric Chain, comprised of varied wire forms that rest in the crooks of their neighboring links, or the Spine design, which utilizes flattened wire and unique pivoting joinery. A gallery of contemporary chains provides inspiration.



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