Best Jewellery Making Books and Training for Getting Started in Jewellery |
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Hands on Jewellery trainingNMIT (Northern Metropolitan Institute of Tafe) in Melbourne comes the highest recommended. Before making my choice to attend there I interviewed many Jewellers in the trade and they all said it was the place to go. I am currently attending the Jewellery Introduction evenings, and next year will attend the Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology- Jewellery - that is if I am accepted My teacher is Jane Ruljancich. She is fantastic and very big on hands on training- which suits me to a tee as I learn by 'doing' the best. For all of you who don't live in Victoria, or for that matter Australia, look around on the interwebs for training near you - and more importantly ask all the Jewellers in your area where THEY recommend you do your training. Reference Material for Jewellers:Jewellery design is visual - yet so many books have no photos (and even few badly drawn sketches) of the idea they are trying to get across. Click on book images to find out more and get a great discount from fishpond.com.au
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Fans of this site will know that I am expanding my Jewellery making skills.
Sci-Fi Genetic Art: Where did everyone go?
Did you get into Jewellery Manufacture? I'm currently completing it and it's a good course.
We just had a calculations exam, the girl sitting next to me was on the verge of tears (yes conversions were part of the exam).
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Sure conversions can be annoying, and if you can get the same book in your preferred measurement scale you would. The point about conversions being important, is that some books "only" come with American imperial, or UK imperial measurements.
Another point to consider, is that a lot of machines, used in the industry may not have Celcius as a standard.
If you want to build your own heating devices to melt metal, you will find that all the publications are American. Also fyi, you have to be resourceful when looking for local raw materials.
Bovin's book covers everything that you will go over in the TAFE course. Specific gravity calculations, soldering, hollow ring manufacture just to name a few things.
If you think "I wont buy a book or a cheap machine on Ebay because the scale isn't convenient", you will be limiting yourself. Trust me I kicked and screamed before I gave in to the "fun" of conversions.
Just don't limit yourself for the sake of convenience.
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My friend converted his Smith Micro torch recently, but was upset at having to buy oxygen, and renting that O2 cylinder.
I was looking at the Precision German torch, which can use propane only, as it's a good torch, but I was given a torch.
Funny story about the gift.
I found out about, and was going to construct, my own blowpipe torch. My teacher gave me an old one he had. It uses propane and breath. The down side is you have to learn cyclic breathing. I was given the gift because the teacher thought I would blow myself up (regardless of how many burners, torches and furnaces I have made in the past).
Kindest regards Charles
Will let you all know how it goes.
That conversions exam sounds full on - hope I can use a calculator when it comes my turn!
The blowpipe torch is interesting, along with the cyclic breathing needing to be mastered.
An added benefit is that you will be able to play the didgeridoo as well
Don't let measurement standards put you off. There are a few very good books that you will miss otherwise.
Converting measurements, and doing calculations are things that bench jeweller should be able to do.
If you're interested I can supply a book list of really good books that may be of interest.
Regards Charles
If you can only buy one book on jewellery, it woul have to be :-
"Jewelry Making" by Murray Bovin.
That's if you can stop at one...
Bovin have put out more books, one on casting and one on casting.
A handy little book I picked up the other day :-
"The Jeweller's Technique Bible" by Anistasia Young
Finally, if you feel like going a little insane, I would recommend :-
"Mokume Gane" by Ian Ferguson &
"Japanese Patinas" by Eitoku Sugimori
For those that make damascus steel this isn't too painful.
Lastly a book I acquired recently, and just as necessary to jewellery making as any book on techniques :-
"Jewelry Illustration" by Dominique Audette (make sure you get the English translation.
Regards Charles
P.S. I've never organised drill bits, much to my shame, but I would think that if you get a block of wood and drill holes into it you could put the drills in that.
...and I know what you mean about measurements - by the time you have drawn some wire or opened a packet of drills bits, the only real way to know the measurements is to do it there on the spot with the vernier gauge.
PS. If any one has a good system of keeping drill bits in order so you know what size they are, let me know!
Thanks for the great review!
... so Jewellery would be a nightmare.
Having enough trouble getting my "Smith Little Torch" converted from USA to Australian gas fittings. eeek!
Warmly,
Marty