I need resources (books, video’s, whatever) on ring making (not jump
rings) that doesn’t involve casting. Is there anything available?
I’ve been searching amazon.com and haven’t turned up much yet.
I don’t have time for classes (I have a day job, and a family) the
traditional way at the moment.
Ring making is simply applying basic jewelry making skills to form
something you can wear on a finger. Learn to saw, file, solder,bend,
forge, etc. etc. etc. And you can make a ring. A text I often
recommend to someone who wishes to learn these skills and techniques
is “Indian Jewelry Making” by Oscar T Branson. There are two
volumes and they are profusely illustrated and cover the making of
all sorts of Southwest American indian jewelry in a simple step by
step presentation. Beyond that, just about any book on jewelry making
will cover rings. The main this is to learn the basics, and I know
of no better book than Indian Jewelry Making to help someone teach
themselves.
“Making Metal Jewelry”, Joanna Gollberg Amazon.com
The Alan Revere book is exceptionally good for fabrication techniques
applied to all forms of jewelry making, it’s virtually a jewelry
course in a book with great step-by-step pictures. Any beginning to
intermediate jewelry maker would learn a lot from this one. I know I
did … still am. Of the group I think you’d find the Jinks McGrath
book the most focused on your particular interests.
Alan Revere has written a number of books and produced two series of
videos on fabricating metal. I believe they are some of the best
available. I have his first series of his videos (14 total) that
I’ve decided to sell (very reasonably).
Please contact me privately if you are interested.
There’s an excellent text called “The Rings Book” by Jinks McGrath.
It wa put out by Krause Publications, It depicts a lot of
construction methods that don’t require casting.