Handcrafted Wire Findings : Techniques and Designs for Custom Jewelry Components by Denise Peck and Jane Dickerson is a great collection of instructions on making wire jewelry components.
I've been a fan of Denise Peck's style and clarity in explaining how to make wire jewelry for a while and since I have a strong interest in handmade findings, this book looked wonderful.
The introduction is in depth. Wire types are explained, and there is a chart which shows the most common shapes and gauges from a hefty 2 gauge to a fine 26 gauge in round, half round and square.
Tools are explained and shown. Cutters, pliers, hammers and mandrels are all explained, followed by descriptions of the torches and tools you'll need for some of the fused and soldered findings and finishing tools such as a rock tumbler to harden and polish the metal.
A short introduction on techniques provides a refresher for people who have worked with metal before and teaches the basic techniques to people who haven't. Then you get into the projects.
If I've worried you that maybe this isn't the book for you because it has torches, rest assured, there are a lot of cold findings projects in here. Most of the earring findings for example are made using easy wire techniques and common household supplies as mandrels.
There is a simple, humble and always useful kidney hook that's shaped using round nose pliers and a marker for a mandrel. There are some great decorative hooks. A couple of them do use a very simple torch technique to draw a bead on one end of the wire, but from there are shaped using cold techniques.
Links and connectors does use more soldering for projects like the hammered ring connector, but wired ring link which is worked on a porcelain ring in the example is made using cold joins only. Same with the lovely Textured Corkscrew Link.
The rest of the book follows the same theme, everything is well explained, so if you do work with torches, or want to get started working with them, there are some wonderful looking simple pieces made that use heat. But there are also a lot of gorgeous cold worked pieces.
The actual clasps are great. The Lashed Toggle Clasp is a particular favorite of mine and the graceful curves of the S hook with bead is also very attractive.
This is not a book with jewelry projects, it's all components to help you achieve your own designs, and I do recommend having use of a rock tumbler for hardening your pieces when you're done. This book is a fantastic resource for seed beaders who want to learn the basics of wire working to create their own findings. Handcrafted Wire Findings: Techniques and Designs for Custom Jewelry Components
I'm always wary of buying craft how-to books without seeing them first. About half the time, I'm disappointed in the book and in myself for succumbing to the temptation.
This is not one of those times. My current skill level is that I own some hammers and a block, and have turned out a few okay-looking pieces, probably due to luck as much as skill. I've taken a soldering course (but have yet to do anything with it) and have used a MAPP torch a few times. In other words, I have a few of the skills needed for the projects in the book, but none of the skills for turning out the professional-looking pieces in the pictures. I need a book that will help me fill the gap, and this is it.
I'm impressed that many of the instructions in the introduction are repeated in the book. . .seems the authors are well aware that many people don't have the patience fo reading introductions. I'm impressed that procedures are well thought out and presented clearly. I'm most impressed that the authors didn't skimp on pictures or instructions for the kinds of steps and details that other books assume you'll figure out on your own. I'm also impressed that there are many 'secrets' hidden in the directions -- the kinds of things you often learn in a class but seldom in a book. I am comfortable that there's enough information in this book to help me turn out really nice pieces that look about as good as those in the pictures. That's exactly what I buy a book for.
Best of all: I'm now unafraid to begin working on these projects. I feel ready.
Now for an important detail. I will admit that if I find copy that is not well written, pictures that are mislabled, chunks of instructions missing, misspellings and typos, that tends to affect the credibility of the authors. I have a bit of a chip on my shoulder when it comes to buying expensive craft books that I later realize were hurriedly slapped together, or assume a higher skill and experience level than I have. If there are any editing problems in this book, I haven't found them yet.
Good job, ladies!
What I like about this book is that it's such a terrific one-stop-shop resource of ideas for making "Handcrafted Wire Findings," as the title suggests. It's not really a project-based book ("make this bracelet, make this ring, etc."), but a resource book of information, with plenty of step-by-step photos and detailed text that beginners will find invaluable.
Once you know how to make your own ear wires (in several different styles), toggle clasps, hooks, S-clasps etc. you may never purchase such items in the store again. For one thing, it's so gratifying to make your own, with your own design style and bead colors. For another, you'll save a boatload of cash by making findings instead of purchasing similar items in a bead store. Quality control is another issue; sometimes commercial findings are cheaply made of poor materials, and as the maker yourself you can now control the quality and costs involved. Projects shown made with sterling silver wire can be made in other metals if you wish--i.e. copper or brass wire to save money, or gold-filled wire for extra bling.
The instructions for each piece are thorough without being too wordy, and you should find them very easy to follow. Another great benefit of an Interweave Press book is the value they place on good design with clean layouts and superior closeup photography. I believe that anyone who reads the text and views the photos will have no trouble at all making every item in this book--and that's saying a lot, because many how-to books fall short in this regard. Not this one.
The one and only caveat that I would add is that I am not sure this is the best book for an advanced wire artist who already knows how to make a hook clasp, S-clasp with bead, toggle, ear wires, etc. The items in this book are pretty basic, for the most part, and most of them are similar to what has been seen before in other publications (books and magazines). If you have been making artistic wire jewelry for over 10 years, as I have, and subscribe to all the jewelry publications and purchase every jewelry book as soon as it comes out (this pretty well describes me to a T!), you may not find much that is new to you in this book. However, there are a few pieces that are original, very creative and fun. And if you are a novice wire jewelry artist or if this craft is fairly new to you, by all means do get this book. It's a valuable resource of practical and creative ideas that you will turn to many times over as you pursue the art and craft of creative wire art jewelry.
Sharilyn Miller, author of Wire Art Jewelry Workshop - Jewelry Design - Wire Jewelry - Wire - Wirework'
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