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Contemporary Copper Jewelry: Step-by-Step Techniques and Projects ($22.95) is published by Interweave Press and written by Sharilyn Miller, a well-known editor and jewelry designer who has numerous books and DVDs as well. This title includes 17 projects incorporating primarily copper wire, but it also includes a few other metals such as brass and silver. Along with mixing metals in the jewelry designs, there is also information on antiquing metals as well as lots of basic fabrication techniques.

Techniques

The book includes 17 pages of techniques demonstrated using full-color photographs and step-by-step captions. Some of the methods covered include cleaning wire, hardening it, wrapped loops, ear hooks, filing, and finishing metals.

Interesting enough, there is no section in the book that discusses the tools required, though each project does provide a list of necessary tools. I thought this was unusual, though those familiar with working with wire would already be familiar with the tools used throughout the text such as round-nosed pliers, wire cutters, and bench blocks.

Projects

The projects in the book use copper as the primary material for each jewelry piece; however, some also mix a little silver or brass as well. Again, like the techniques section, there are lots of photographs (250 total for this 128 page book). Each project also includes a "Cool Ideas!" section that provides design ideas, metal tips, and tool advice.

A good number, though not all, projects mix metal with stones, some in the form of beads and some as polished stone pieces.

As the title suggests by the word "contemporary," the projects are trendy, what I would call "an ethnic-style" for the most part.

Concluding Thoughts

A few of the projects were a little over the top for me as far as something I would personally wear, but generally, I liked a good number of the projects in this book, and I felt the instructions were very clear and easy to follow. Especially helpful are all the photographs.

Total beginners may be puzzled by the lack of tool information, but for those with some experience, that section isn't really needed usually. Swirls, loops, and coils make up most of the techniques used throughout the book, so with practice, beginners could probably handle making a number of the projects without too much trouble. Intermediate level jewelry makers will also find some excellent ideas for adding more copper to their jewelry designs.

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.

Publisher's Site

Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.