The purpose in showing a list of titles is not to try to impress but instead show a sampling of the incredible assortment of books specific to the craft, art, technology and history of jewelry. Many more titles are available. And, you never know which book will have that nugget, that one sentence, which impels you to the next creative level, a more productive fabrication method or soldering technique. I lurk on some of the Q&A boards and received the Orchid stuff for awhile. Same questions, over, and over, and over... EVERYTHING you need to know about the technical, scientific, methods and processes related to the manufacture and fabrication of non-ferrous jewelry is described, at most levels of comprehension, in a book.You have no prices on your list.
That’s correct. These are my books. They are not for sale. My purpose here is to show you how to build a jewelry reference library for yourself.Name a few good books
There are a few books, IMHO, absolutely worth more than you will pay for them. Here we go:Several of your books cost more than $50. I can’t afford it.
A) Tim McCreight’s The Complete Metalsmith. If every beginner/intermediate student/crafter/artist actually read and worked through The Complete Metalsmith the Q&A boards would go blank tonight. (No, you can’t use electric solder, etc...) There are many editions available. I have a few and my favorite is an early 1980’s edition with handwritten typeface. Get the book;
B) Oppi Untracht’s Jewelry Concepts and Technology. This is the nuclear powered version (840 pp v. 150 pp) of The Complete Metalsmith and has an incredible amount of useful information - practical and technical;
C) Erhard Brepohl’s The Theory and Practice of Goldsmithing. This is THE book. Everything is explained. I actually understand eutectic systems of various alloys now (and how this relates to and improves my soldering and casting techniques), and
D) Cheap Thrills in the Tool Shop by Charles Lewton-Brain. The voice of experience (greenhorn to master jeweler) and good thinking process. In delusion I flatter myself because I have made similar jigs and purpose-built tools from old pliers, etc. before reading.
There is no coincidence that Mr. Lewton-Brain and Mr. McCreight are responsible for the English edition of Mr. Brepohl’s text. An artist/craftsman/student/master with these four books only needs a place to work, tools, materials and a little creativity for a lifetime of works. Another author must be mentioned - Alan Revere. Mr. Revere’s titles are all excellent and target the bench professional. While there are none in my library I recommend you buy any used copy you find and consider purchasing new books as desired.
You say “Gosh, Marshall, I don’t have $120 to spend on Oppi Untracht’s book.” I believe you. And the simple truth is I didn’t pay retail for most of these books. I’m cheap or thrifty, depending on which day it is. Here’s my top-secret method for library building:
1) Learn the location of ALL of the used book stores in your area. Stop in look around. Many store owners have a particular specialty - romance, fiction, general, sci-fi, whatever and you may not find what we’re looking for but then you KNOW. Once inside ask where to find “How To,” Art and non-fiction. These folks trade and you may have a pile of books to use as barter. Ask what their best selling category is. Keep this information in a day planner or pocket notebook. Ask what the different trade-in value is between “cash” and “store credit” most will give you a lot more in credit and you come across as being more aware when you ask the question. I keep a couple of boxes full of recent, better condition non-fiction books for trades (tomato or banana boxes are great - they’re built for the weight, have great lids and are small enough to fill and still lug two or three in the back seat on book search day, keep one full in the trunk all of the time so you have material to trade if you just happen to stop on the way to somewhere).