Surround Sound

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Light weight small footprint full rich sound loaded with features and options.

I have a Philips HTC 8100 and this unit has the same power and sounds better with half the size and weight of the

HTC 8100.

Thats because I believe its up to todays standards.

I fully recommend this unit, it marrys up to my Philips LED 46" TV perfectly.



Oh yeah, the price makes me happy as well. Philips HSB2313A Soundbar (Black)

I just finished hooking up my PS3 and cable box to this soundbar/woofer combo via the 2 HDMI inputs in the back

Everything works well, sound quality is decent and its really easy to set up



But come tomorrow I'm sending it back ... WHY ?

Simple ! the device loses the video signal as soon as I change the channel from HD to SD on my cable box and/or vice-versa. Only workaround is to cycle through the inputs before it picks up the picture again. If you like to flip channels between SD and HD as most do, this system is not going to work for you



Oh and why is it so that the device turns off when the signal is cut but doesn't turn back on when it comes back ? Shouldn't this 'green eco stuff' work both ways ? Why must I turn it on manually every time I turn the cable box/ps3 and TV on ? I don't think this merits buying one of those macro-programmable remotes anyway

I purchased this product new. It came delivered just as promissed. I went to hook it up using the HDMI cables, but no sound came out. I know my DVD player and LCD TV is HDMI compatible, because when I hook it up direct, no problem. I tried a new HDMI cable, re-set the device, and still the problem exist. I contacted Philips about the problem and explained everything I did. They sent me out a replacement unit, and it works GREAT. I don't mind if there's a problem with a product that I buy, but I expect the company to make it right. The soundbar is great for my bedroom. The price was right, and dealing with Philips customer service was great. I recommend this soundbar to anyone who wants to upgrade from there wimmpy built in speakers on there TV.

My Samsung flat-panel TV has downward facing speakers, so it really needed some help in the audio department. I selected this HSB2313A sound-bar system by Philips, it appeared to be what I was looking for, and more. Though a couple more analog inputs would be nice.

The main unit is all-plastic, and sort of lightweight, so if the cabling tugs on it while setting on a shelf, it moves. (It does come with a wall bracket.) On the other hand, the subwoofer is quite substantial, but much of it's weight is probably the power supply.

Here's my primary beef --- the bass response is way too booming, particularly if you live in an apartment as I do. There's a subwoofer volume control, your choice of six levels; none of which seem to be "light" enough; this is a real big problem. When the main audio program material is at a satisfactory level, the bass rumbles and booms too much. I placed pillows over the subwoofer speaker, still, to much bass. Besides, one shouldn't have to resort to placing pillows next to the sub to reduce the volume; who engineers this stuff anyway? If you REALLY like bass, then the HSB2313A might be for you!

The other problem I have with this unit --- the remote control. The button layout makes absolutely no sense to me; the button grouping is all wrong, and the volume up and down buttons aren't prominent at all. I'd like to see in addition to the Mute button, a "partial mute" button, that reduces the volume -20dB, for tame those obnoxiously loud commercials. The text labels on the buttons is too small; I have to put on reading glasses to read them at all.

I've had this for a couple of weeks, but it's going back to the store, I'll find another solution to my audio deficiency.

I was looking for a small soundbar and subwoofer to replace a 5.1 surround system when we remodeled and got rid of the big armoire that held all my audio gear. I looked at several brands and models, but many bars got poor reviews. Additionally, many soundbar/subwoofer systems include a very large subwoofer that wouldn't fit where I needed it. When I spotted this system (Philips HSB2312A) at a discount membership club for $150, I took it home and hooked it up to my Vizio LCD using an optical audio cable. Connected to the TV, I have a Motorola HD set top box (HDMI), a Sony Blu-ray player (HDMI), and a Wii game system (standard AV cable). I also connected my MP3 player through the AV input on the soundbar, which was a nice bonus. It sounded great and seemed to be just what I was looking for, but after we used it (lightly) for about two months I decided to return it for two reasons:



(1) The sound would drop out when watching Blu-ray movies. I'm not sure why this happened, but I watched three or four different movies and this happened several times during each movie. The only remedy I could find was to change the input on the soundbar from optical to another input, and then back to optical. I never experienced this when playing my MP3 player through the AV input, playing the Wii, or watching cable TV. It only occurred when watching Blu-ray movies.



(2) The main reason I returned it is because the soundbar itself would get extremely hot to the touch and had a "burning electronics" smell. It wasn't enough to be alarming, but I noticed every time I used it. At first, I assumed this was just because it was new and thought it would fade over time. However, it smelled the same way after two months any time the power was turned on. I decided that I didn't want to take a chance on it burning up or malfunctioning in the future.



LIKES: small size, great sound, MP3 input, great price

DISLIKES: hot to touch/burning smell, instructions were not very helpful, didn't like having another remote

Great Soundbar but with a bit louder bass!!



I connected my BD Player to this Soundbar and from there to my Samsung TV. I don't have cable so I use antenna for OTA channels that is directly connected to TV. I have connected my TV's Optical-out to Soundbar's Optical-in. Everything works great but w/ a small problem. The bass from sub-woofer is too high even on the lowest setting.



I live in a Town-Home and certainly do not want to disturb my neighbors. So everything is OK until 10:00 PM but when it's time for a reduced bass from subwoofer, this Soundbar fails.



Does anybody know how to reduce bass to the minimum so there is no disturbance? Right now I am planning to exchange it w/ another similar model just to see if the newer one has a lower bass. Otherwise I will return for a full refund...'

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Pocket Camera - panorama, pocket camera

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I was looking for a small camera to keep with me when I didn't want to lug my big and heavy pro grade DSLR, and I'm finding the Sony generally works out for me pretty well. It's easy-to-use and relatively high performance for a compact point and shoot camera, and it's capable of producing good images under a wide range of conditions when used properly.



I usually start my camera shopping by paying close attention to the lens, and the Sony comes with a Carl-Zeiss 4x zoom, biased towards the wide-angle end of the spectrum. I generally favor less zoom range if it means getting a higher quality picture, and this is exactly the approach Sony implements. Yes, you can get 5x - even 10x - zooms in camera like these, but in my experience, the sacrifice in image quality isn't worth it. Sony's 4x tends to mean I get pretty solid lens performance in a useful zoom range. To be clear, any DSLR with a good quality lens will beat the pants off the small lens on this sort of compact camera, but that's the nature of the beast...besides, if I'm doing something where absolute best performance is a requirement, I'm carrying my heavy-duty DSLR and lenses that cost ten times what this Sony does - that's not the mission I have in mind for the Sony anyway.



The 14.1MP sensor seems to be high quality, so long as you're using the camera in well and evenly lit conditions. Where the camera struggles somewhat is low light (high ISO), or when there is substantial dynamic range (difference between brightest and darkest parts of an image). Under good conditions - bright and evenly lit - the sensor provides excellent detail, certainly way more than adequate for email, web sites or prints up to maybe A3 (13x19 inch) size. Still, under more challenging lighting, the Sony may be a bit disappointing...where a large DSLR can capture details in highlights and shadow, the Sony tends to blow out the highlights or will transform shadows into a sea of black. Again, this is really normal for cameras with small image sensors - the Sony's performance is very good indeed considering the small form factor and product price point.



The camera's built-in software is also very good, helping to capture lots of detail even as images are compressed to manageable sized JPG files. In Photoshop, I compared a Sony-compressed image to a similar image taken by a pro grade DSLR, and there are few if any differences due to the image processing. Noise reduction and sharpening is handled well, and there are few digital artifacts visible. This is really the best performance I've seen for a camera in this price range.



In terms of construction quality, the camera is solid and seems to be well built. Most of the controls are easy to use, and you don't get the sense of "fighting" against it. The 2.7" LCD display is sharp and easy to use, although it can be a bit difficult in bright sunlight or for those like me with aging eyes that struggle with small text on the screen. Performance is generally quick, and you're not waiting for the camera to figure out what to do next. The camera is small, and one thing that helps me is Sony's well-designed image stabilization feature. I tend to have a hard time holding small cameras steady, and image stabilization helps me get sharp photos in most conditions.



Sony adds a number of cool features, such as Sweep Panorama, that allows you to take multiple pictures of a scene, and then have them "stitched" together in the camera for a wide panorama view. I have similar software in Photoshop to do this, but it's cool to see it implemented right in the camera. Sony also provides a workable HDR (High Dynamic Range) capability in the camera, giving you a way to handle certain otherwise difficult scenes. Both of these features make up for camera limitations, such as low dynamic range capabilities of small sensors and the limited zoom range. Sony also makes it easy to upload photos and videos to popular sharing sites, saving you a few steps from doing this on the computer.



The camera can also record HD (720p) video clips up to half an hour long. I rarely use this feature, so other than to say it works, I'll leave that one to other reviewers.



I considered several other choices from Nikon, Canon, Pentax and even the new Leica X1. I like Nikon because the software and menus are the same as my DSLR (also a Nikon). Canon seemed to produce slightly better image quality. I've owned several Pentax point-and-shoot digital cameras and found them rugged and long lasting. And of course, the Leica is in a class by itself in terms of quality. Still, while all of these competitors offered unique advantages, the overall package of price and performance seemed to be best with the Sony - at least today.



Overall, considering the price, I'm happy with the Sony DSC-W350 and would recommend it to anyone wanting a low-cost, easy to use digital camera that gives good quality images under a wide variety of conditions. Sony DSC-W350 14.1MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Zoom with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 2.7 inch LCD (Black)

Took a chance on this camera as it was just released by SONY and no reviews were available. But I really like this camera. The pictures are sharp. Color reproduction and exposure is accurate and all of this is done automatically. This camera has 14 mega pixels but I shoot with an aspect ratio of 16 X 9 which uses 10.5 mega pixels. The camera has a panorama feature that with a little practice takes cool panoramas that could definitely come in handy for some landscape shots. This camera has a 26mm wide angle lens with 4X zoom. I love the wide angle which works beautifully with the 16 X 9 aspect ratio. Indoor low light performance has been very good. In bright rooms with the camera on auto flash it often chose not to flash and still the pictures were very good. My other cameras always flash indoors no matter how brightly lit the room was. Indoor shots without a flash create more natural colors. Of course this is probably only possible due to the really good anti shake technology built into the camera. The camera can also shoot hi def movies but I haven't taken any movies yet. One other thing that I like is that this camera can easily fit into any pocket. It is slim and light. - Panorama - Pocket Camera - Point And Shoot - Shoot Digital Cameras'

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Universal Power Adapter

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The six commonly used power tips provide flexibility with this product. I purchased this to use as an interface between a CD Walkman player and the AC power cord. The heads have specific polarity; so it is possible to attach the heads incorrectly. However, if you pay attention to the plus and minus hookups as indicated, it's not too difficult to make the attachment correctly the first time. I found the product to work effectively. The only negative I can see is that the actual plug-in device is a bit bulky; so if you want to use this in a power strip setting, the AH3WH can be a bit of a plug hog. However, other than that limitation, the product was reliable. Recommended to save on those batteries which do add up! RCA Universal AC Adapter (AH3WH)

BOTTOM LINE: Although I got what I wanted, I would be very reluctant to use this adapter for anything sensitive (e.g., laptop) but it seems fine for toys or other low-end electronics.



I bought this product in replacement for a similar one that ceased to function after falling off a workbench. This adapter only contained six different power tips (as compared to the 16 provided by the other product), and did not contain the one that I needed. Luckily, I was able to reuse a power tip from the previous product.



There is apparently no industry standard for these power tips, so you are taking a guess whether this particular product will fit your needs. It may show up and have no tip you can use.



There is nothing on the power tips to indicate what they are (e.g., 5 mm outer barrel by 2.5 mm inner barrel).



While the documentation did provide clear instructions on ensuring correct polarity (be SURE to get this right), there is no possible way to be sure you have the "right" power tip; you must use trial and error and if it seems to fit and you are getting power, then it works. This last point is the reason I would not use this on a laptop or other high-end device.

At first, I thought it was defective because no green light after plugging in. Then the light came on and still couldn't get my JBL speaker to come on. Turns out I plugged the adapter in wrong so after a couple of tries, I got it to work. I left it plugged in all nite and it was a little warm so you might need to unplug from wall if not in use. For the price, it is an excellent buy.

I recently bought a weather radio that did not come with a power cord, so I purchased this one. The product works, I would caution you on one thing. The prongs for each tip are stuck through a piece of hard plastic. When I opened it up, I eyeballed the correct tip and tried to get it out first. Unfortunately, I had the right tip, and broke off one of the prongs. It still works I just have to prop it up against something. The tip doesn't fit perfectly, so I'm not sure if I'm having to apply pressure because the tip doesn't fit or to hold the prong in place.



So...to get the rest of the tips out I used a butter knife to push them through on the side of the prongs, instead of pulling the tips.

Adjustable adapters and adjustable voltages, what more can you ask for, just dont lose the adapters!!! wish they were somehow connected to the adapter so you could wouldn't have to worry about storing them, but still great deal for an all in one adapter!! saved me plenty of time looking around for one!

It is a 5 for price and selection of tips. It is a 2 for length of charging, but leave it on, do an errand and your good. Overall, it is a 3. For those who are budget minded, need compatibility, and don't have to have it quick charged, this is a good deal.

The shipping was fast. It was here in three business days. I tried this in a few different electronic devices. It did not have a snug fit in A belkin 802.11 g router. Bummer. I'm not sure these connections are exactly standardized. Still gonna use it. The price was fair. Thank you. I would buy again from this seller.

I was delighted that another reviewer said this product worked for their Sony Shower Radio/CD Player. I confirm that it does have the right link and I am no longer wasting battery after battery. I cannot comment further because that was my sole need. So I am delighted that one problem is resolved.'

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Hitachi Brad Nailer - power tools, cordless stapler

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This stapler/nailer barely performs for even the most remedial tasks.I would not suggest buying this item when there are much more affordable tools out there that out perform it.I bought the old style hand held staple gun,had zero problems and completed my project.As a stapler this thing works okay,but it wont drive brads through the thinnest of materials and bends half the nails it does drive.Nothing but a bad attempt at what is supposed to be a helpful tool,and I am a huge fan of Ryobi products. Factory-Reconditioned Ryobi ZRP300 One+ Nailer/Stapler

I have used longest 9/16 staples, and they could not punch together 1/4 plywood and 1/2 MDF. The bearingly punched 1/4 plywood through, forget about the MDF.

I could use it or P301 for running staples around loose upholstery on your chair or sofa. BUT I would not use it for lumber work: wood, hardwood, plywood, or MDF. Too weak! Use compressor staplers instead.

I am a huge Ryobi One+ fan, but sadly this unit is not powerful enough to fully set any staple or brad nail into wood. Additionally, the strip of staples or nails falls apart in the loader so they get jammed and most of them have to be discarded.

I second to stukka7 review and also suggest you buy $10 hand stapler. This is definitely not for wood to wood operation EVEN FOR STAPLES. (I have not tried brads yet but people report they are much worse). I bent about one third of the staples on the highest power setting trying to attach 1/4 thin laminated floor board to 2 x 4 with the longest staples supplied with it. This is unacceptably high failure rate for such a simple operation. For other less heavy operations it can be fine...but you can do with hand stapler for light use.



I though "finally I have a serious power punch". FAR from that. You may need the compressor powered gun...but that is too much bother for me at this point dealing with compressors and hoses.

I purchased this product from a big home improvement store for the purpose of changing upholstery on our dining room chairs. My wife and I both used it and it got the job done for us. It does jam quite easily and often, but it did have enough power to drive the staples into the wood. I have also used it for small jobs around the house to nail things up and together. It's better as a nail gun. This is not a big job tool. The battery life is good and it's not too heavy. I would purchase this tool again.

THE WORST TOOL I HAVE EVER USED. I usually use Dewalt or Hitachi cordless tools but no one offers a cordless stapler. Calling this garbage a stapler may be criminal. You would have better luck breaking the staples apart and pushing them in by hand. It will drive maybe 5-10 1/4" staples into soft pine before it jams if you are really lucky.

I have been using a Porter Cable pneumatic brad gun for some years. The idea of a cordless gun appealed to me so I got this one. It works well with two limitations. Power: For soft wood it is fine but for hardwood only short brads or thin wood works consistently. Speed: Essentially this is a spring powered tool with a motor to compress the spring. As such each cycle is quite slow compared to an air powered gun. For the right jobs it is a real convenience and time saver but for many jobs it doesn't have the power to fully do the job.

Just fair as a stapler and nearly useless as a brad nailer. The large head makes it difficult to position the staples or brads close to an edge or in a corner. It jams frequently and can not drive a brad fully into soft wood. I purchase this so I would not have to drag out the compressor for small jobs but now it just takes up shelf space.

I've been purchasing Ryobi tools for five years now. They work long and hard and are financially a good decision because of their low cost investment and high productivity. This seller shipped quickly and my tool arrived and is already paying for itself. I'll buy again. - Nailers - Power Tools - Nail Gun - Cordless Stapler'

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Educational Toy - birthday, happy birthday

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In general I applaud the Melissa & Doug company for its dedication to simple, classic, durable wooden toys that are genuinely educational in that they invite imaginative play rather than recite facts to a passive child at the push of a button. The birthday cake toy is no exception. Since my daughter received this toy for her third birthday, we have baked and decorated dozens of cakes in her play kitchen, and thrown birthday parties for each family member, as well as all the dolls and all the stuffed animals. However, I can't help feeling that this toy could have been a bit better. Basically it consists of a red wooden serving platter, and a cake comprised of six sections that velcro together to form a circle. Each piece is quite large -- almost as big as a real slice of cake. The set includes a cake server that can be used to cut the slices apart, which provides that satisfying velcro-ripping sound. The cake is painted white with blue icing swirls, and has velcro spots in concentric circles on top for the decorations. The decorations are painted on wooden discs that velcro to the top of the cake. The set comes with seven candles that can be velcroed to the top as well. There are only three different decorations -- strawberries, jellybeans, and gumdrops. I would have included icing flowers, so that the cake could be decorated like a "real" cake that a child might have for his or her birthday. Also, I would have made the candle flames detachable so that the candles could be "lit" and "blown out" by the child. Also, it is very difficult to cut out and serve the first piece of cake, as it tends to refasten itself to the pieces adjacent to it before it can be lifted out and served.Still, this is a neat toy and a good addition to a child's imaginary kitchen. Two months after our daughter's birthday, she still plays with this toy quite regularly. It's constructed so durably that I'm sure my grandchildren will be playing with it, too! Melissa & Doug Birthday Party Birthday Cake

When you find food type items for your child they are either plastic or tiny paper packages that are damaged with mimimal play, not so with Melissa & Dog wooden toys! And it's only through play do our children learn about things they will do when they grow up.



The birthday cake is a huge hit in our home with our 28 month old daughter and I assume will only continue as she grows! Whats nice is that your child can create their very own cake creations. The Happy birthay round piece comes off so you can celebrate any reason to bake a cake and they even thought of adding lite birthday candles as well. There are jelly bean, strawberries and gum drops to decorate their cake creation. The cake is divided into pie shaped wedges and would also be perfect for discussing fractions later on down the road. Everything is held together with a nice sturdy velrco. A red plate and also cake cutter are also included and everything fits nicely into the wooden box and has a platic top that easily slides on and off for older children. This is a toy that will last though out the years and is definately worth every penny!

What you get is a large wooden cake, wooden candles, decorations, a cake server and a wooden storage box with a clear sliding top. The cake is already been cut into slices that cold together through the wonder of velcro. The top of the cake also has lots of spots of velcro. The wooden candles can be stuck on this way. There are also cake decorations in the form of jelly beans, strawberries and a central birthday decoration. These are painted wooden disks backed with velcro.



My daughter loves this toy (having first played with the pizza version at a friends house). I can not count how many times she has changed decorations and served me a piece of cake. All of the velcro works well and does not peel off. The candles can sometimes lean a little but I have heard no complaints. Although the pieces have been kicked around my hardwood floors countless times none of the paint has chipped. The only drawback is trying to use the cake cutter to remove the first piece. Velcro loves to grab and it is not always easy to get two spots on opposite sides to release at the same time if using the server. My daughter was not put off by this.



All in all this is a well-made and durable toy. It is sure to be fun for any child who likes to help out in the kitchen. Remember that due to small pieces this is not appropriate for children with a tendency to put things in their mouths.

Of course kids are all different, this toy may not hold the interest of a child with little interest in pretend play cooking. However, I think the vast majority of children will LOVE it. I have a 2 yr old & a 4 yr old & both play with it constantly. Younger ones may not comprehend so much that they are decorating a birthday cake, but the facination of adding and subtracting the decorations (velcro candles, candies, strawberries) is great. I think the construction is good; nothing broken yet. Only down side to it is collecting up all those circles (candies/strawberries) & candles! I'd recommend this gift for boy and girl (I've got both).

I purchased this toy for my 3 year old daughter for Christmas. Seven months later it still gets almost daily use. It is very high-quality and perfect for the little ones who love to play birthday party at this age. Highly recommend!!

My daughter has been creating birthday cakes all around the house...when I saw this I just had to get it for her...she loves playing with it and it is durable...I like the idea of the toppings and candles however I agree with the 1st reviewer...should be frosting and blowable candles...but for the money, it is a great toy

Both of my children, 3 and 1, play with this toy quite a bit. It is very durable and cute. I love the simplicity of this product. There are a lot of pieces that could get lost and I always play with it with them because it is not recommended for under 3, but 1 year old insists he can play too. The pieces for the cake topping are small and round and could be a choking hazard. We like to practice singing happy birthday and blowing out candles. Makes fun for imaginary play with kitchen items. Would recommend a container with a lid for storage as the box that it comes with is open on top and "spills" easily. Overall great product and will buy more of these for my children. - Learning Toy - Melissa And Doug - Birthday - Happy Birthday'

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Wrinkle Resistant - pants, flat front

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I've bought Haggar khakis for years, finding them to be of better quality than Levis Dockers. However, the quality of these pants has taken a serious nosedive just in the past year. I bought 2 pair last Fall (2009) and the hem at the bottom showed fraying after only a few months. The fraying only got worse and the hems are now completely threadbare. The pleats at mid-shin didn't fare much better and began to fray even sooner than the hems.



Additionally, the expandable strap on one pair simply snapped and detached from the inside of the waistband. I was able to fix it temporarily but I don't expect it to last.



After years of wearing such a sturdy product, it's intensely disappointing to see Haggar jump on the lower-quality bandwagon seemingly to save money in production. Haggar Men's Work To Weekend Expandable Waist Pleated Twill Pant,Black,42x29

Fabric is a little coarser than I hoped it would be and than it appeared in the on line picture. Pants catch a lot of lint but fit good. I'd appreciate more choice in styles for a 31" in seam. Most pants are only available with odd number inseams to 29, then only even numbers. 32 hits the floor for me and 30 is too short. I'm glad these pants were available in 31 and they fit fine, but will look for a smoother fabric and hope to see more choice in 31".

I bought these pants to wear at the office, and the toughest physical work I did wearing them was sitting in a chair. Despite that, they've become worn through in two different spots in the back. I've never had pants get worn so quickly, after just a few months use.



I wish I could get my money back, but unfortunately their warranty doesn't cover holes. - Flat Front - Pleated - Wrinkle Resistant - Pants'

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Metalsmithing - metalsmithing, jewelry design

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Interweave Press just sent me a preview copy of this fantastic new book-with-DVD by Lisa Niven Kelly. I was very curious to see what the artist/author had to say about the technique of stamping letters and symbols into metal, especially since it seems such a simple, straightforward process that hardly merits coverage in a 136-page book.

I just love it when my initial impressions are proved wrong... that means I've learned something new, and I love to learn! The contents of Stamped Metal Jewelry (SMJ) go far beyond what the title suggests. Besides providing 19 metal and mixed-media jewelry projects, a brief but inspiring gallery of stamped jewelry, resources, and a tools/materials section, this book does a very good job of laying out the basics of beginning metalsmithing and wirework. For this reason alone, I feel confident recommending SMJ to novice jewelry artists seeking instruction in these areas.

First, let me comment on the tools section: very thorough, well done, informative, important information is conveyed here. Experienced jewelry artists may feel that this chapter can be skipped, but I suggest having a look anyway--some interesting tools are discussed that may be unfamiliar to you. Consider the fun texture hammers and large wrap-n-tap pliers on page 12, tube-cutting pliers on the following page, hole-punch pliers, scribe, bracelet bending pliers, sanding sticks, and leather-working tools.

Now on to my favorite chapter segments: Basic Metalsmithing Techniques. The author addresses hammering and texturing first, suggesting the use of metal stamps for adding texture to metal besides the obvious usage of adding text or designs. She discusses using a riveting hammer and the ball end of a chasing hammer to create texture, and using hard metal objects and a brass-head hammer to forge textured designs into soft metal sheet.

Cutting and sawing metal (with a helpful blade-size guide) take up one page; hole punching and drilling (with another helpful guide: drill bits), how to dap (doming metal shapes), and riveting follow. I love the riveting section because the author carefully describes forming wire rivets, nail-head rivets, and tube rivets, with big photos making every step crystal-clear.

The metalsmithing section concludes with a discussion of oxidizing and polishing methods and annealing (softening metal with heat). If you read the book carefully up through page 31 and practice all the techniques presented, you will be well on your way to becoming an informed metal jewelry artist.

The "main event" follows: six pages devoted to stamping text and designs into metal. Lisa has been perfecting this skill for years, so naturally she has a few things to say about safety, work station set-up, the basics of stamping (alignment, centering, stamping with design stamps, and the author's own tilt-n-tap method--also demoed on the DVD).

That's the heart of the book, really, and if you read it carefully and follow the author's instructions, you can immediately start stamping metal with confidence. But we're just getting started: page 38 begins the projects section, with 19 jewelry designs from simple to more complex and challenging. Once you stamp a simple pendant, you'll be ready to try making an I.D. bracelet, stamped pre-fab rings, linked bracelets and bangles, stamped and riveted rings, a really cool textured metal pendant framed with coiled wire and beads, a leather cuff, and much more.

I really appreciate the author's inclusion of work from other designers such as Kriss Silva, Janice Berkebile, Lisa Claxton, Kate Ferrant Richbourg, Tracy Stanley, and Connie Fox. These artists contributed some unique ideas and jewelry projects you may recognize from the workshops they teach at bead events across the US, such as Janice's famed "Crown Jewel" pendant.

A short gallery and two pages of wirework basics finish the book, which is indexed. But wait--there's more! A 33-minute instructional DVD accompanies SMJ, featuring the author as she goes over the use of tools, basic stamping techniques, tilt-n-tap (very helpful!), and a bonus jewelry project not included in the book. You don't want to miss it. Although Lisa has covered her subject with great care in her book, sometimes seeing the basic techniques in action can really help make everything more clear. Be sure to watch the DVD, practice the basic techniques demonstrated, and you're ready to make beautiful jewelry using wire, sheet metal, leather, rivets, and more.

Sharilyn Miller, author of Contemporary Copper Jewelry Stamped Metal Jewelry: Creative Techniques and Designs for Making Custom Jewelry

Stamped Metal Jewelry

CREATIVE TECHNIQUES & DESIGNS FOR MAKING CUSTOM JEWELRY



by Lisa Niven Kelly



creator of Beaducation



Way back, when I was first teaching myself how to make jewelry with a few books and a lot of assistance from online sources, I came across Lisa Niven Kelly on the internet. She hadn't even established her fantastically popular online store yet.



I remember when Lisa had two famous projects: her super pretty wide cuff, and her stamped bangle with a clasp. I fell in love with both of them. I went to my husband Jim and BEGGED him to get me these projects (which were sold as kits with printed out instructions, at the time) plus all the tools, and everything I would need, so I could learn from my heroine, Lisa Niven Kelly. Those kits and tools were what I received for Christmas that year! It was a whole new world for me!



I am delighted to be able to review this wonderful book and DVD, as Lisa Niven Kelly remains the resident All Star at teaching stamping combined with certain kinds or wire work in jewelry design. I continue to be one of her loyal followers. She never quits devising new fantastic creations for us to want to make! Many of them are offered in this fine new book!





Therefore to have a hard copy book available of her careful yet assertive manner of teaching is a pleasure. To have these new projects to try is a total joy!



All the little things I might have forgotten, or wanted to know and never got the chance to learn from the author, are in here. On the 35 minute DVD, which has two projects, there are some great examples of some of her tips. One is how to center a word properly when you stamp. Another good one is how to stamp with a decorative stamp, which is more difficult than a letter of the alphabet, and make it come out completely perfect. I watched the DVD very closely and learned a lot. It is definitely a worthwhile addition to the book.



The author stresses that you practice, first, on copper blanks or with copper wire so that you don't waste good money on sterling silver. She also explains safety precautions very clearly in the book and on the DVD, particularly when you are oxidizing.



The introduction conveys her excitement at being able to share all her years of experience with the reader. She explains how "compatible" stamping is with other forms of wire work. She explains that within the book you will learn how to rivet, hammer,and dapp, as well as stamp, and that the stamping "adds that little extra something that makes your design special and truly personal".



I agree! The very first "say it on your wrist" bangle I made said "The Ruse" on it. It had a few spiral designs, and a clasp. The Ruse is the name of my son's band. I gave it to his girlfriend, who is now his wife. Wherever she wore it, all her friends would comment on it and ask her how to get one. These bangles thoroughly convey your thoughts, when you make one. When you yourself learn to stamp, your love of what you are doing will be expressed in such a great manner!



The projects in the book are very flexible and so pretty! It is wonderful to learn to control a hammer properly and gives the reader a sense of empowerment when creating jewelry, as well. I find it to be like meditation, and enjoy feeling strong as I make stamped jewelry. I think it is cool, yet feminine to be able to do this well.

In Stamped Metal Jewelry, I particularly like the textured metal pendant. As an introduction to this lovely piece, the author comes right out and says, "This project appeals to sculptural wire fans who like very few rules". I am certainly drawn to that observation!Additionally, well made, sturdy jewelry is a must in my opinion, and the author always delivers the goods on sturdiness! This piece is terrific and unique. You will love it.

Another piece the reader will love is Lisa's friend's, Tracy Stanly's, "Simply Charming" charm bracelet. It includes instructions on how to make the graceful links which hold together the actual bracelet, and all the stamped pieces which make up the charms, plus an assortment of beads to mix up textures and lengths. It is a good example of another stamper's fabulous style.

At the end of the project, which is very well photographed, there is a section called, "Charmed, I'm sure!" which gives further inspiration on popular charm bracelet themes. The ideas are all excellent. They will bolster your enthusiasm in your ongoing work on a particular charm bracelet you are making.



I like the very clear techniques posted next to each each project as well.

I also love the "make it your own" posts the author offers after the very clear step out photos which show how to make each project.



If you have never heard of Lisa Niven Kelly, and you think you would like to try stamping, you have come to the right place. She is the expert's expert. This is a fine way to learn from her. This book, Stamped Metal Jewelry, creative techniques and designs for making custom jewelry, with its accompanying DVD, is totally wonderful. Short of taking a class at a bead show with the author, which is impossible for many of us, we have it all right here. Lisa Niven Kelly has real talent and she shares it willingly and abundantly with the reader. She also has included a beautiful gallery at the end of the book of inspirational work from her friends. I am thrilled with this book! - Jewelry Design - How To - Metalsmithing - Jewelry Making'

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