Wire and Fused Jewelry

Techniques from the Sandkuhler Studio

Schiffer Books

Wire fusing is fun right from the beginning.  I was initially a little apprehensive about messing up and completely melting my fine silver links and match sticks into little globs.  As I practiced the proper placement of the torch and succeeded, it became a magical moment.

The contents of this comprehensive book by Iris Sandkuhler begins with a list of tools. The major one in every fusing vocabulary is a butane torch. Many of the additional tools mentioned are a staple of every work bench.

Projects are varied ranging from rather simplistic to more complex. All have a list of tools and materials that are posted on a check list. One doesn’t have to go on a mad dash scavenger hunt or wait for the necessary material to arrive from the suppliers. Each and every photograph of the creative process is extremely well defined.

Page 38 illustrates a wonderful example of wrapping a briolette and found object. Very easy to follow.

There is in depth instruction regarding the bead drawing method, pointing out the hottest spot of the torch flame. The text points the correct way and the illustrations show the way.

Over the years I have constructed my own fine silver chain link necklaces. They were somewhat intricate and used to enhance a particular fabricated or beaded pendant.  After coiling my fine silver wire around a mandrel and cutting off each link, I was ready to begin. It was amazing how each and every link fused together when applying my butane torch. Instead of an instructor standing at the soldering station and lecturing the students, the illustrations and text in this book says it all. This book introduces the art of fusing perfectly in all respects.

Razine Wenneker

The Art of Jewelry Design

Maurice P. Galli, Dominique Riviere and Fanfan Li

Schiffer Books

This book presents the principle of design.  The beautiful illustrations introduce the reader to rendering techniques of both metal and stone. I was exposed to several drawing classes during my formative years in college and this book would have been a wonderful source of reference. The authors truly know their “craft.”

A comprehensive list of rendering tools is presented. We are then visually introduced to the basic shapes and elementary principles of composition: squares, rectangles, triangles, circles and trapezoid. Variations in size and overlapping of these geometric elements is demonstrated to produce visual interests.

Plate 3 has a beautiful analysis of a broach. The various elements are dissected down to their basic form of design.  Plate 4 continues to explore values and contrasts ranging from light to dark and white to black.  An example of this progression is visibly illustrated along with the studies of asymmetry, positive and negative space, incidental and reflected light and perspective.

The authors give the designer an opportunity to explore these concepts with the documentary study of a flower. The conclusion of this section culminates in instructing one how to apply this to jewelry. We are taken on an interesting adventure through natural forms in our universe and their application also to jewelry design.

Textural techniques are boldly presented with the introduction of gauche and water color. There are also wonderful examples of rendering the multitude of diamond shapes, cuts and faceting.

As I stated at the beginning of this revue “The Art of Jewelry Design” would have been a wonderful resource for me as I pursued my artistic career.

Razine Wenneker

Off Loom Woven Bead Necklaces

Deb Dimarco

Schiffer Books

The photographic journey in this book is first rate. What you see is what you get. Square stitch is the name of the game.  The reader is taken from an excellent square stitch tutorial from row 1 and increasing, decreasing, and lengthening rows. There are also many additional instructions to help the novice or experienced beader achieve success.

The supplies are listed together with the appropriate time for completion. Takes the guess work out of weaving the jewelry.

The section on adding thread for accent or focal beads is very explicit.  Photographs illustrating adding the clasps are also presented in very large step by step photographs. I didn’t have to find a special light source or magnifying glass.

I agree with the author that her Autumn Harvest Necklace was “an example of simplicity at its finest.”  The section on joining panels was a new lesson to savor.

I consider this book “Off Loom Woven Bead Necklaces” the definitive text on the square stitch. Nothing is left to chance. The gallery pages show beautiful examples featuring this very interesting bead weaving stitch.

Razine Wenneker