I love this book! It is indeed a great book for beginning metalworkers. This book goes into great detail about how to do each project but, it doesn't lose you along the way. This book is a full color book all the way. So if you get stumped, you can study the pictures and see where you are at or you can come back to it later and still be able to see where you left off. I think this book is really a great book if you wish to do more than just take wire and shape and twist it with your pliers or a jig.

I ordered this book with Jinks McGrath's "The Complete Jewelry Making Course" and was very disappointed to find that they were nearly identical.
They used the same photographs and right down to some of the same text.


For example, on page 11 of McGrath a section on Finding Inspiration is exactly the same text as Hurst's pg 21. And there are many more instances of being exactly the same book with different covers.

Neither books are bad, but don't buy them both. In fact, find another less sleazy publisher than Quarto Books to provide your needs.

I have several metal working books, including those by Tim McCreight. Although these books are excellent, this book by Nicola Hurst beats them all. I'm not a novice to metal working, but I wanted a good basic reference book. Nicola gets right to the meat of a subject and tells it in a very clear, understandable manner. I love it because it isn't wordy and there isn't a lot of time spent searching for the information you want. The photos are fantastic. All are in color and large enough to see details. My only regret is that I didn't find this book sooner. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in doing metal work. It's a GREAT book.

I thought this was an exceptional reference on simple techniques for beginning to intermediate metalsmiths. I didn't feel that I needed to invest in a fully fledged workshop to create some fine jewelry pieces. I particulary liked how each project built on the ones before and how the author included professionally created pieces that highlighted various techniques and provided inspiration. OK, so I haven't actually made anything yet, but of all the books I have purchased and not actually made anything from, this one has probably moved me closer to getting off my butt and picking up a tool than any other. Excellent descriptions and photography, attractive projects I'll be happy to make when I get around to making anything. In case you're interested, I have actually gone back to this book and re-read it three separate times, which says an awful lot about any book in my library.

Kate

I thought the book was real good. It would be good for beginners as well as experienced craftsman. It had 13 projects from beginner to experienced.

This is a very helpful book, starting with all the basic tools you will need, continuing with methods and styles used in silverwork, and many good basic projects to practise on. A must for everyone starting out to do silverwork, and even advanced students would find it helpful. Iam very pleased I purchased it.

Excellent step by step book for jewellery making. Im just starting out so have picked up some useful tips.