Chic Metal: Metal Jewelry to Make at Home by Victoria Tillotson
I love jewelry-making but never realized that I could take my love further than just simple beading until I picked up this book, Chic Metal: Metal Jewelry to Make at Home by Victoria Tillotson (published by Potter Craft). I love the look of hammered silver and gold (I own a few pieces I’ve picked up at craft fairs) but I always thought it was way more complicated to make. As a jewelry-making professor at the School of Visual Arts in NY, Victoria Tillotson demystifies working with metal and gives you a great 101 to the craft. You really feel like you are one of her students with all her anecdotes and tips. Scared of working with all those tools? She starts you off easy in the first chapter with projects using the most basic tools such as wire cutters, pliers, hammer, and file. Then, Tillotson helps you build on these skills so that by the time you finish the book, you’re soldering metal and using a dremel. The photography in the book is stunning and Tillotson’s jewelry designs are just breathtaking. (See more of her designs on her web site.) You’ll find yourself saying “wow” each time you flip the page to a new project. There are also illustrations of techniques for each project to help you along the way. I love the Scroll cuff (p.38) and the Starry Night Pendant (p.115) pictured below. Pick up this book for yourself or to make a gift for mom (Mother’s Day is coming up!).
But there’s more! Five lucky CRAFT readers are going to win a copy of Chic Metal! Just leave a comment in this post letting us know why you want this book. The deadline for entries is Thursday, April 23 at 10am PST. The winners will be announced later this week. Good luck!
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