Whenever I review a book, the editor part of my brain is always thinking, What would I have done differently? What parts of this book could have been improved? What should have been deleted? What's missing?
The Penland Book of Jewelry (now available in paperback) is a rare book in that I didn't have an answer to any of those questions. It's simply an enjoyable (and educational!) experience from cover to cover.
The Penland Book of Jewelry features 10 jewelry artists: Marilyn da Silva, John Cogswell, Jaime Pelissier, Rob Jackson, Heather White van Stolk, Jan Baum, Tom McCarthy, Maria Phillips, Mary Ann Scherr, and Douglas Harling. Each section includes an essay by the artist, a step-by-step tutorial, a bio, and a gallery of work by other artists.
What I Liked Best:- I really enjoyed reading the thoughtful and engaging essays by the artists. Each one wrote about their backgrounds, education, motivation, inspiration, and techniques. It's always endlessly interesting to read about other artists and see how our paths are similar and different. Each essay had details that made me feel connected to the artist as a real person, not just an abstract figure to be admired. I loved learning, for example, that Heather White van Stolk began carving wax in her kitchen, describing the process as "akin to peeling cucumbers."
- I like to know how things are done even if I'll never do them, so the step-by-step sections were fascinating. These pages are packed with photos, so you get a strong grasp of the process. The instructions are written in a personal style ("I sketched until I was convinced of the piece."), rather than the detached prose often found in instructional texts. You can download a PDF sample of one of the step-by-step sections on the Lark Crafts website.
- I appreciated the galleries of works chosen by each artist. According to the introduction, these pieces by other artists were chosen because they were "meaningful" to the featured artist. Some artists selected works that used similar techniques to their own, while others like Tom McCarthy bluntly stated, "I selected the participants in this gallery from a sense of envy. I look at their work and wish that I had made it or could make it."
You'll Enjoy This Book If:
- You want to understand these current intermediate/advanced jewelry making techniques: electroforming, forging, casting, die forming, etching, granulation, alternative stone setting, nontraditional color on metal, alloying, and fabricating with steel.
- You dream of taking classes at Penland, but can't afford it. This book featuring 10 jewelers who have taught at the school is a steal is $19.95!
- You want to be inspired not only by a range of beautifully finished jewelry designs and innovative techniques, but also by the artists' stories themselves.
Highly recommended.
Standard Disclaimer: I received this book free of charge from Lark Books. My review is my honest opinion. I have received no compensation for my review.