I am brand new to jewelry making and metal smithing. Where or what books should I start with?
My initial goal is to learn to make metals coins of different material and then either stamp or engrave said coins.
Ooh, Boy! That’s a hell of an initial goal. Minting coins is not generally considered a beginner technique. There’s also a dearth of how-to material on the subject.
For a good general reference for metalwork try and find copy of “Metal Techniques for Craftsmen” by Oppi Untracht. Also by Untracht is “Jewelry: Concepts and Techonology.” Neither of this is a DIY manual, rather they give overviews of thousands of processes.
Most books on coins are either collectors guides or histories of particular coinages. There is Denis Cooper’s “Coins and Minting” which seems a good overview of the history of minting techniques from ancient coins to today. It is available to read online at the internet archive, or borrow from your local library, so you can peruse it and see if you want to buy a copy.
How you go about learning minting, well, unless you get a job with either a private or government mint you’re pretty much on your own. There are some folks in reenactment societies who do hand minting in the Medieval or Ancient manner. That might be someplace to investigate.
The most difficult part of minting is making the dies. That is both a highly technical craft and an art. This is not to discourage you. Just know that the learning process will likely be slow, unless you can devote yourself to it full time.
You’ve chosen to take on a craft that is highly specialized. I think the thing to do, if you’re feeling progress is slow, is to celebrate the small victories along the way to mastery.
I wish you the best of luck.
2 Likes
There was a member on Orchid who stamped commemorative coins among other things. Search Orchid for Ted_Frater, and do a general web search for “Ted Frater Bronze smith and Minter” Dorset UK.
The tooling he used would be hard to come by and likely very difficult to move and house. Here’s a quote from one of his posts:
“My main work now is in minting, with a proper coining press up to 250 tons, drop hammers up to 100 tons dynamic energy with associated 3d dies.”
I remember him posting that he obtained some old commemorative dies, I think with pictures attached in the post.
1 Like
So exciting that you’re digging right in!
Here are some jewelry-making/metal-smithing book recommendations, from practical to fun and inspiring.
Most of these books were required reading while I was taking metal smithing courses for my BFA, and I still refer to them.
-
The Complete Metalsmith, Tim McCreight
-
The Workbench Guide To Jewelry Techniques, Anastasia Young
-
The Metalsmith’s Book of Boxes & Lockets, Tim McCreight
(This book covers fabrication of mechanisms- Very useful instructions) -
Creative Silver Chains, Chantal Lise Saunders
-
Creative Stonesetting, John Cogswell
-
Creative Metal Forming, Betty Helen Longhi & Cynthia Eid
-
Practical Casting: A Studio Reference, Tim McCreight
-
Design For Jewellry Makers, Louise Seijen ten Hoorn
-
Mastering Contemporary Jewelry Design, Loretta Lam
-The Art Of Enameling: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration, Linda Darty
Lark Jewelry Books are also great instructions books.
Other resources:
Ganoksin Learning Center provides many very in-depth instructional articles for all sorts of technical applications.
Metalsmith Society
is a great resource, for education and community as well. You can access content on instagram, there is also a podcast and a website with more in-depth content but I think it might only be accessible through membership.
Hopefully some of these suggestions are helpful. Good luck and enjoy!
Lindsey
1 Like
Lindsey…Where do you go to get your BFA? Thanks…Rob
Hi Rob!
I got my BFA at TxState College of Art and Design. I was fortunate enough to work with Beverly Penn and Nicole DeChamps-Benke.
1 Like
Good for you! Congratulations…Rob
2 Likes