Metalsmith Society’s Guide to Jewelry Making: Tips, Techniques & Tutorials For Soldering Silver, Stonesetting & Beyond

by Corkie Bolton

Everything You Need to Know to Build Your Skills as an Artisan Jeweler

Metalsmith Society’s Guide to Jewelry Making is the ultimate handbook to get you started on your jewelry-making journey. Corkie Bolton, jeweler extraordinaire and founder of Metalsmith Society, has compiled the ultimate compendium on the craft for beginners. You’ll get a deep dive into indispensable tools and materials needed to create a well-rounded workspace. Corkie also answers every question you might have about essential yet tricky-to-master techniques such as sawing, stamping and annealing.

What’s more, through ten beginner-friendly projects, you’ll put your budding skills to the test and light the spark of inspiration for designing your own pieces. Necklace lovers will learn stonesetting and making clasps with the Thick Bezel Pendant and Simple Chain Necklace, while ring projects like the Interlocking Ring and Hidden Detail Ring will have you practicing polishing and embellishing your creations.

Embark on your rewarding jewelry-making career with confidence. With this comprehensive book at your bench, you will have everything you need to get started and keep going!

Genres: Jewellery, Crafts, Reference

192 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2022

Reviews

[Valerie Whittington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this!

Even though I am an experienced jeweler, I got creators joy reading this book, I was reminded of processes that I learned as a beginner and inspired to keep doing what I love. Please get this book and follow Corkie on IG you will not regret it. No I was not paid for this review.

[Liz Colver · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a brand new metalsmith, this text is BRILLIANT. It’s engaging, simple, clear, engaging, and builds so clearly upon itself. I read it in a day cover to cover and have referenced it countless times over the last 2 months of having it. I know it’s one I’ll wear out and need a new copy of. It’s stained with coffee and charcoal dust and and greasy finger prints already. Proof of a solid resource!

[The_Crystal_Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! It has everything. I was just looking for a quick step by step process to remind me from my in person classes but it has so much more information than I have learned so far. Amazing book! Only wish that it was set on a spiral bound instead of traditional. Still works okay as it doesn’t flip closed easily. But there is only so much space available in your work area.

[Crichardindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much great information and tips! I’ve probably learned more from this book and the Metalsmith Society than any other platform, tool or class. Thank you Corkie for putting it all into a book that I would recommend to anyone from novice to someone with a few years under their belt as a metalsmith.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely AMAZING!! The amount of knowledge and useful information to all jewelers and metalsmiths is priceless!! If I could give this book 100 stars, I would!! Thank you so much!!!

[Rachel Rathe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is incredibly digestible for anyone who has never soldered, made silver based jewelry, or known what pickle has to do with jewelry making!!! As a new smith learning the ropes, this is the book I reach to every time I have a question, need a point of reference, need a visual guide, or can't recall a specific tool needed for the job. Corkie has taken her years of experience and knowledge and created this beautiful book that should be on any jewelry makers shelf! 10/10 highly recommended!

[Emily Marquis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a jewelry instructor, I'm so pleased to have a NEW book to reference for my students. So many of our quality recommendations are starting to feel outdated. While jewelry making thrives on traditional techniques, this book is filled with approachable intro products that are "in fashion". The tips scattered throughout the book are crowd sourced with the concept of community coming together to share their knowledge. This too is a modern take on the jewelry community that's been closed off for generations. I've got this book on my list and recommend Metalsmith Society to all of my new and recurring students.

[Suzy Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that every beginning metal smith needs!! Even most intermediates!! Answers all those little questions with clear, concise answers. For those of you who are new… and those of us who may have forgotten a few things over the years😎.
When I teach a class this book is number one on my recommend list.

[Kyleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so informative and helpful, I'm so excited to work on some of the projects included in it :) Fantastic resource for anyone interested in jewelry fabrication, from beginners who could use starter tutorials to more experienced jewelers who could use some unexpected and helpful tips!