i think this is a great book!!! i was familiar with mary's work from her earlier book on woven jewelry. i bought this book with confidence feeling it would be inspirational and informative. i was right. i feel a kindred spirit with her approach and know i will use some of the techniques as i continue my personal jouney with metal and jewelry creation. everthing in this book is approachable with basic tools and fundamental wire working skills.
i highly recommend it.

Fiber artist, Mary Hettmansperger has written a lovely book applying a fiber artist eye to metals. If you're new to incorporating metals into your jewelry, Hettmansperger has written a comprehensive introduction to tools and metals you'll find very helpful. The explicit directions on which tools and metals to buy with photos is invaluable to someone who's got the itch to use metal but doesn't really know how to go about it. Let's not forget the comprehensive section on patinas - which is worth the price of the book all by itself!

I enjoyed seeing the "gallery style" pictures of art pieces using particular techniques in the chapter devoted to the particular technique. For example, Wire Wrapping is covered on page 26 and a picture of Janice Berkebile's "Lillies and Leaves #1" is included. It's a fine piece demonstrating how to use wire wrapping in a finished piece. Rather than saving it for the end of the book, it's included here where Hettmansperger describes wire wrapping. Wonderful! But Hettmansperger isn't done yet. A bonus is the gallery at the end of the book - I feel like the book is a tasty double dip sundae, with yummy surprises of finished art pieces throughout with a sweet candy confection to finish it off at the end. The gallery is full of lovely finished pieces that will make your creative mouth water!

There's a good mix of photos and drawings throughout the book to demonstrate how to do each technique and project. Projects are divided according to technique and there is a chapter on Wraps and Folds, Commerical Cold Connections, Wire Work and Stitching. If you're familiar with Hettmansperger's other book, Fabulous Woven Jewelry, you'll see her fiber background shine in the chapters on Wire Work and Stitching.

I admit to buying the book because of the chapter on Wraps and Folds and the Bead Shelf Necklace project in particular, I thought it was just lovely. I had to make it and did! I made it larger creating a small wall hanging entitled,"What Lies Beneath" incorporating my handmade lampwork beads. Hettmansperger's blog invited readers to post their version of her projects on it. I've posted," What Lies Beneath" over there and on my own blog. The project that follows the Bead Shelf Necklace is the Wrapped Beads Necklace, my version is currently in progress. Bending metal is almost as therapeutic as pounding it! While I was excited over the Wraps and Folds chapter, equally exciting to create are the Woven Windows pin (p. 64) where you weave pieces of metal to make a pin, or the Looped Silver Cone Necklace (p.83) using a sewing technique to create a unique pendant sewn with silver wire.

One thing I haven't mentioned yet is how the directions are structured for each project. There is a large picture of the finished project, a short paragraph describing the main technique learned followed by headers: Techniques describing all the techniques you'll use in the project; Materials listing the metal sheeting by gauge, wire by metal and gauge and findings/embellishments; Tools; "What You Do" the step by step directions for completing the project. It's a very organized structure and is highlighted so it makes it very easy to figure out what you need to do the project. A definite plus.

All in all, Wrap, Stitch, Fold, & Rivet is a clearly written, lovely book for the beginning to intermediate student who wants to start including metals into her/his jewelry with a distinct preference for texture and a fiber artist perspective. I find myself going through it again and again and you will too!

This is a very well executed book, with clear directions and nice photographs. She also gives you lots of alternative ideas to make each style your own. I definitely recommend it.

OK, I read the other reviews and especially noted the one that sort of slammed the book written by an experienced silversmith. I'm not way great as a silversmith but I'm OK and I liked this book. The photos are great and the ideas are even greater. There is nothing better than a creative mind and the author, Mary, appears to have one. The instructions were not as detailed as I would like them. In some places I was saying 'What?'. What am I supposed to do next? Now I often say that with Tim McCreight also and he writes a really good book and is really respected in the community. Mary (I'm just not doing her last name) is great. The book revs my juices to try some crazy stuff. Let's keep things positive. It's a good book with new ideas.

I would agree with other reviewers that the techniques in this book are not stardard metal smithing techniques, but that makes it all the more interesting. I often teach short classes to teens and this provides some great project ideas for beginers as well as some interesting techniques to use to make my own projects. I like the photos, the instructions are clear and it provides some great foder for new projects.

I absolutely love this book! It's heavy on organic looking design. The author does it without a lot of expensive tools, so it's beginner friendly. Her directions are written very nicely, and there's lots of eye candy for those fellow artisans who are into the organic look.

I bought this book because it had the word "Rivet" in its title and I want to know more about the use of rivets. While I didn't learn much about rivets from this book I quickly fell in love with the projects, instructions, and fabulous examples of work by other artists. I've created six pieces from the projects in 2 days and they are so easy and gratifying. You can take the projects and let your imagination run wild to create your own unique and very special jewelry. Absolutely my favorite jewelry technique book and I have a LOT in my library. If you are interested in creating pieces that truly qualify as wearable art (versus the safe same old same old) this book is a must for both instruction and inspiration!

I bought this book because it had the word "Rivet" in its title and I want to know more about the use of rivets. While I didn't learn much about rivets from this book I quickly fell in love with the projects, instructions, and fabulous examples of work by other artists. I've created six pieces from the projects in 2 days and they are so easy and gratifying. You can take the projects and let your imagination run wild to create your own unique and very special jewelry. Absolutely my favorite jewelry technique book and I have a LOT in my library. If you are interested in creating pieces that truly qualify as wearable art (versus the safe same old same old) this book is a must for both instruction and inspiration!

I absolutely love this book! It's heavy on organic looking design. The author does it without a lot of expensive tools, so it's beginner friendly. Her directions are written very nicely, and there's lots of eye candy for those fellow artisans who are into the organic look.

This book is so well written. And the projects so innovative - not your run of the mill jewelry making book. This will stretch your borders and incorporate lots of new ideas and techniques into your jewelry making.

Mary teaches you new skillsets and gives you unique projects with which to practice. It's very easy to do variations from her basic projects - she sets your mind spinning in new directions.

I was really disappointed by this book.

It should have been called wirework in jeweley. I bought it mainly for the 'rivet' part, but there's nothing about riveting in the book--if you don't consider using pre-made eyelets like me. If you are a beginner in jewelry making, it might be good for you to learn how to make jewelry with pre-made parts. But if you are hoping to learn 'new' tricks in cold connections, don't waste money on this book.

The only thing that I like about this book is the artists' showcase at the end of the book.

I'm sorry to say that I returned this book the day after I received it from Amazon. I have Ms. Hettsmansperger's Fabulous Woven Jewelry book which I think is quite interesting, but this latest book falls flat. I thought the projects were uninspired and repetitive throughout the book.

I was somewhat hesitant of buying this book after reading some of the reviews. I am really glad that I did actually purchase it though. I am somewhat familiar with the authors work as I have seen it in some magazines.

Yes, I agree that it doesn't provide you with the best metalsmithing techniques, however, if you want a very organic look to your work and don't have the money to invest in the tools, it is a feasible option.

I don't think this is a book that I would BEGIN with as there aren't a lot of detailed process photos. However, if you have any kind of experience and a little imagination you should do just fine with it. The author shows several variations of each project to show you how different each can look with just a little change here and there.

I personally think that this is a worthwhile book to have in my collection. It provides a lot of inspiration for more organic looking pieces.

I agree with a review stating that this book promotes quite poor metalsmithing techniques. Yes, craftspeople improvise quite a bit during the manufacturing process, but there is no reason to reinvent the wheel, and reinvent it badly, at that.

However, if one has some metalsmithing experience and can correct for the atrocious execution methods, there are ideas here that could be stowed away for future use. I almost wish that the author outsourced the production of her pieces to a professional and stuck with text and design only.

If you are looking for a first instruction-oriented jewelry-making book that isn't too much of an investment, I would recommend one of Joanna Gollberg's books. For a more serious amateur, buy Oppi Untracht's or Alan Revere's volumes. As a (very) short encyclopedic reference to most existing traditional techniques, get Tim McCreight's professional edition of the 'Complete Metalsmith' (even the professional edition is too skimpy to be 'complete,' but it is a very useful reference source).

This book just proves you don't have to be a "professional metalsmith" to create fun and unique objects to wear. Mary's beautiful photo's coupled with the clear and concise directions make it easy for anyone to attempt any of her imaginative projects, even if they've never held a hammer or a piece of sandpaper in their hands. Her blending of fiber and metal techniques brings a fresh and welcomed approach to the field of wearable art and stretches the boundaries of more typical jewelry ideas. I also like her use of non-precious metals and found objects for those who don't want to make a huge investment in raw materials.

Wow! I don't know, maybe someone got up on the wrong side of the bed and wrote that first review. I thought the book was well written. It definitely had plenty of professional-looking pictures and loads of instructions. Everyone has a different style, but to say "the finished projects are on par with any elementary school art show" is kind of excessive. Must be some pretty special elementary school. If you're curious about different techniques working with metal, this book is well worth the price and will give you plenty of new jewelry ideas.

Upon seeing this book and the two completely opposing reviews I was in two minds about purchasing,I am quiet happy that I did. Again, it shows that reviews are highly emotive and personal. I certainly do not beleive this is the "worst jewelry book ever" as W. Swift states. She/He seems to think that being a "fiber person" is badge of shame? I see this as being one of the wonderful talents that has allowed Mary to use textile like appearances or skills to show off her unique designs.

I also work in the jewelry field - mixed media, and find that this gives you a different perspective. Many notable artists have drawn on other backgrounds which influence their work, look at the beautiful Textile techniques in Metal by Arline Fisch. I agree that if you are a "traditional metalsmith" with a wealth of experience, then you may find this book a bit simplistic in the projects. If on the other hand you are looking for lovely organic, mixed media, different ideas I think you will be pleasantly surprised.

The book has clear instructions, supplemented by good hand drawn figures and lovely photos. I especially liked her Bead Pod Pins, The Looped Silver Cone Necklace ( Silver netting over a cone ) and the Bead Shelf Necklace. It is perfect for the person who may be looking to create interesting pieces that do not require soldering. There is of course the obligatory introduction covering the basic: tools, materials and basic techniques, these pages are laced with stunning works from a a wide number of artists. Twenty projects in total, five in each of the four sections; Wraps & Folds; Commercial Cold Connections; Wire Work; Stitching. The gallery at the back is also filled with some beautiful work.

For the thousands and thousands of people who love Mary's unique style, who have done classes with her at Shows, or who have her great book - Fabulous Woven Jewelry, you will be very happy with adding this book to your collection.

I would also respectfully suggest that people do a little homework on authors to determine if their style is what they are looking for in the first place instead of insulting their skills. I will be recommending this to my mixed media beginner-intermediate students whole-heartedly.

I am a jeweler who does art shows and galleries. I collect a lot of jewelry books as they give me new ideas and different techniques to do things. This is single handedly the worst jewelry book I have ever read. The author is/was orginally a fiber person. It's obvious since her metalsmithing techniques are so poor. I'm all for using short cuts, but she never recommends a rawhide mallet to flatten metal and uses a hole punch to make holes in the metal. YIKES! The finished projects are on par with any elementary school art show. This book is going back to Amazon tomorrow.

What a beautiful, well-done book by Mary Hettmansperger! The book is well laid out, and easy to follow. The full color photos are clear and very helpful. Even the few hand drawn examples are good. The designs are unique and as Mary says "rustic", but stunning. The directions are well written even for a beginner. I do not have much experience with cold connections, and found the directions easy to follow. No soldering with these designs. A torch is used is to make ball heads on wire, a simple technique, and she shows you how to anneal.

The basics chapter is extensive, and clearly explained. Each project chapter covers a particular technique; wraps and folds, commercial cold connections, wire work, and stitching (with wire).

There is also several pages on texturing and patinas. The patinas include the use of a torch, and liver of sulfer.

I can't wait to get started on these project, as soon as I wipe the drool off the pages! Love it!