The Craft of Silversmithing: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration

By Alexandra Austin

Book Overview

Take a fresh look at the ancient craft of silversmithing with 18 projects that teach a solid body of skills. This full-color comprehensive manual provides artisans with a thorough understanding of silver's properties: what it is and how it behaves. Beginning, intermediate, and advanced techniques are explained and can be applied to crafting amazingly beautiful items. Use brushing, sawing, piercing, and polishing procedures to fashion a simple bud vase. Progress to a baby rattle or candleholder created with soldering, sinking, dapping, and forging techniques. Ultimately you'll have the expertise to complete a martini set, lidded container, or teapot.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1579904491
• ISBN13: 9781579904494
• Release Date: May 2004
• Publisher: Lark Books
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.3" x 0.8" x 8.8"

Customer Reviews

A good book for a beginner

As a new silversmith, this book was fantastic. It gave enough of the basic information to get started in the craft. No, you won't learn everything there is to know from this one book. But it presents the material in laymens terms without talking down to you. If you are already crafting in silver, then this book is probably not for you. But if you are new to the art or are considering it as a hobby, then this is the perfect starting place.

Modern forging

This is an inspiring book and makes forging look easy. The book begins with simple pieces to gain technique, gaining complexity as one develops the skill and familiarity in working with silver. There are descriptive details accompanied with imagery for each stage of the forging process. For the novice such as myself I picked up quite a few tips and an understanding of how to begin working the silver. The designs the authors provide are modern and useable in daily life.