Product Details
Creative Silver Chains: 20 Dazzling Designs

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

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Product Description

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.



Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #474382 in Books
  • Published on: 2005-10-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Hardcover
  • 112 pages

Features

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Chantal Lise Saunders studied sculpture before becoming a certified welder and pipe fitter in 1994. After a two-year stint as an apprentice with two professional jewelers, she is currently a member of the Mountain Metalsmiths’ Association, teaches chain-making workshops, and maintains a Web site at www.metalsplendor.com.

Customer Reviews

Creative Silver Chains5
A really outstanding book for the beginner, and designs that will inspire and delight those who are not. Very good descriptions and use of photos to enhance the text. The projects use standard materials and easily obtainable tools and the reader is shown all techniques required to produce a quality product. Very good safety tips and considerations.

The only thing I would suggest if Ms. Saunders decides to write another book like this would be to show use of a propane torch, it will still do the job and is a lot less expensive than Oxygen/Acetylene bottles, gauges and torch kit. Oxy/Acet is more of a advanced level tool and safety considerations with this equipment are paramout and can be devistating if not followed to the letter. The photo on page 17 shows her setup, but she does not have flash arrestors at the gauge end of the supply hoses.

Do not let this 1 item keep you from a really outstanding book though.

boring chains, great artist's gallery samples3
Some of the chains presented as "Artist's gallery samples" are fantastic. Lots of inspirational designs and great techniques. I got several very good ideas for projects.
On the other hand, the book's actual project chains are mostly generic and uninteresting. I saw this book befor I bought it, and bought it for the non-project samples. I've seen several of the book's chains made up by friends, and they were not more interesting than they looked in the book.
There are tons of free chain instructions available on the internet. It is worth the time to seek them out instead.

mostly soldering2
I do not solder so this book was not very helpful. If you can solder this book is excellent. I do wirework but with soldering required for most of the chains I have to return the book.