Metalworking 101 for Beaders: Create Custom Findings, Pendants & Projects

I've been on a spree for buying jewelry making books as I'm taking a cast metal class. One thing that hung me up was that many books show techniques without explaining them, or mention tools that they never show (much less show how to use). I've found some really great books so far, but this is the best for technique.Reason one is that she goes through the whole tool kit you need, explaining why each is necessary and what you can substitute if you need to. AND, she'll even show how one tool can serve various purposes.Then she goes through projects that are detailed enough for me (I'm no pro), although the soldering instructions were a little brief. In terms of soldering, there's so many kinds of solder and types of heat source that I wished she'd have been more into that. BUT, I found another book for that.Some of her projects are unlike any I've seen anywhere, unusual but doable. For example, she has a copper frame (rectangle with center cut out) and then she wires the inside with crisscrossing thin copper strands and torquoise. A knock out. Really, really gorgeous.I'm pleased and hope you find this review helpful!

Book in great condition, delivery was very speedy.

Great book! I've never done any metalworking and I've just completed my second project using this book. I disagree with the reviewer who said the directions are truncated but I can see how she felt that way. The detailed how-to's of the different processes are in the front of the book while the project section has only the details needed for that piece. In the beginning of the projects the author tells you what page to refer to for the particular skill used in the project. There were quite a few projects that didn't appeal to me but with this type of book you're taught skills and that allows you to adapt pieces to make them more to your liking. Another plus to the book is the dreaded tool section. I liked that along with the professional grade tools, the author lists low cost substitutes that will work for the beginner. Definitely a how-to that will stay on my shelf to be referred to often.

This book contains a generous supply of beautiful jewelry projects that are nicely photographed. It also contains an abbreviated description of necessary metalworking tools (no details on brands, models, or suppliers...), and a smattering of techniques necessary to complete the projects. This book is creatively inspiring and a fun read, but it falls down a bit in trying to include so much that there is actually insufficient detail. Since there is obviously a space limitation in each Lark book, I think this one erred a bit in the overall balance. While I suspect I can do much of what is sparingly outlined, I felt the technique description would have benefited from more detailed and WELL PHOTOGRAPHED explanations and tool descriptions. After all, if you propose to teach beginners how to do something as technical as soldering, pictures please! But, I must say this book has really inspired me to take some classes in metalworking and it was a worthwhile purchase.

This wasn't the book I was looking for but it is a fantastic bookFor metal jewelry work!!

I follow Candie Copper and was trilled to find is book. It was in great shape! Thank you!

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!This is what I have been waiting for! It is easy to read and understand with wonderfully creative ideas and hints. Candie starts the book with 'filling your toolbox' and explains the why and how of it all. Then moves on to the different techniques used in metalworking i.e. cutting, shaping, stamping, finishes etc, etc. Then takes us through the creating stage; starting with the easiest and working your way through to the more detailed. The icing on the cake, for me, is the jewellery itself. Candie's work is beautiful and earthy and I love it all!I highly recommend this book to anyone who is wanting to move on from beading to being even more creative with making your own metalwork findings and more :)

I am very happy with this book. I've had preordered for several weeks. When it arrived, I was so pleased. It's comprehensive yet not overwhelming. The pictures are clear and the text is crisp. The projects cover a full range of earrings, bracelets, necklace focals, clasps, end caps, and more. I can't think of a reason I couldn't make a fully "made it myself" piece of jewelry now.I have many tools and materials - including solder and torch - but just didn't know how to put it all together. My book arrived yesterday, and I plan on taking full advantage of the four-day Thanksgiving weekend to try out some things, starting, I think, with a clasp for a special necklace.Altogether an excellent book!Kate

Love Candie Cooper, another one of her books with her own original style of jewellery, this time all about various metalworking techniques

I was expecting the usual beginner level things, you know, wire, adapting bought findings, more wire, and was pleasantly surprised, this has so much more and is explained well enough that an intermediate level silversmith like myself doesn't feel babytalked to. Definitely one for the aspiring student with inspiration to develop each design and project into so much more, I loved it and haven't put it down since....except to draw and design up a dozen new projects inspired by this book

A well presented book with good diagrams and design ideas. However, the title is rather a misnomer and I am rather disappointed. Having cut back on purchasing books on beading due to space/financial constraints and after reading a glowing review of this book, I decided to add it to my collection.Beaders work with beads, findings and a selection of tools. To fully utilise the designs in this book a beader would have to purchase a lot more tools including a soldering tool and also set up a dedicated work space to safely use this last item. A small oversight in the proof reading is that one of the designs refers to 'copper' piping and the design in question is quite obviously made from 'brass' piping.I would have been happier if the book was entitled 'Metalworking 101'.

Great ideas, love Candie Cooper's work.

the book is dated and i would never have ordered it if i had seen inside.....this is the second time for me and i will not order again unless i see the content