Good book anyone ?

[bead27]

I've just finished a Jinks McGrath Book (Jewellery Making a complete course for beginners), - a really good read, good layout, easy to read and I liked the step by step processes. A good starting point for anybody new to making.

Has anybody got any recommendations for my next read... I work in silver, attended a short course, and can now follow basic instructions, but I am still learning.
Are the books by Tim Mcrieght any good, or are there better ones out there ?

[noelsharpe]

"Jewellery Making Techniques" - Elizabeth Olver

clear layout, nice clean designs, easy to follow instructions.

[Bee]

I like The Complete Book of Jewelry Making: A Full-color Introduction to the Jeweler's Art by Charles Codina.

If you've got a Borders bookshop near you they normally have pretty good jewellery sections. I've been known to spend hours sat cross-legged on their floor choosing books!

[Lindsay]

Just read a new title - Beginners Guide to Enamelling by d. cockrell.
ONLY £8 - loved it. I've never really done an awful lot of cold enamelling - but this has inspired me to have a right good go. I'd stay away from the vitreous to start with - the cold technique seems much more realistic.

[Redkite]

I have the Jinks McGrath and the Elizabeth Olver ones - both very good for a beginner.

I have The Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight. It's a useful bench reference with basic info on lots of things like metal properties, techniques, gemstone types, workshop set-up. I am planning to get his book on Hot & Cold Connections next

I also like the Lark Books series for inspiration eg 500 brooches, Masters Gemstones, 1000 Rings etc etc

[agent_44]

I have both of the above books and think they are both great! However about 2 totally different subjects. I would say, regarding The Complete Metalsmith, whilst it is an excellent reference, it doesn't go into huge amounts of detail,probably because it covers so much, so if you run in to troubles with a technique it might not hold all of the answers you need. I agree with RedKite about the 500 series from Lark, great inspiration. I'd paricularly recommend The Jeweller's Directory of Decorative Finishes: From Enamelling and Engraving to Inlay and Granulation by Jinks McGrath if you are interested in surface techniques.

[Metalicanna]

Same, the Jink's McGrath Jewellery Making for Beginners is brilliant. A must have for your book collection I would say. Most of my other books are insprational rather than technical and are really handy now I've learnt some basic techniques. I would recommend: Adorn by Amanda Mansell, Fabulous Jewellery from Found Objects by Marthe Le Van, The Jewellery Materials Sourcebook by Anastasia Young and The Jewellers Directory of Decorative Finishes by Jinks McGrath.

Anna

[Mia]

The Workbench Guide to Jewelry Techniques by Anastasia Young
Covers all the basics but also more advanced techniques which at the moment are asirational for me. Good photographs and clear language.
If you are a visual learner better to go to Andrew Berry's site.