Making Design Stamps for Jewelry (Smart Solutions For Jewelry Making Problems)

I have a lot to say about this book, so stick with me.First of all, this book is absolutely wonderful! If you are at all interested in the very least be in making your own jewelry stamps, then you definitely need this book. At 68 pages, I was initially hesitant, but I was wrong; this book is jam-packed with a plethora of information, all of which is totally relevant, and revealing.If you are considering buying this book, then I could bet my bottom dollar that you've already read Oscar Branson's "Indian Jewelry Making". When I read that book, I realized very quickly that southwestern style stamps are critical, and I later realized that southwestern style stamps are somewhat hard to come by. Branson's book covers in very light detail how to make stamps, but gives essentially nothing more than 'just make some stamps.' This book is like the addendum to "Indian Jewelry Making" when it comes to making the stamps.Smith covers everything you need to know, and is very specific when it comes to the heat treating of the steels you will come across. He also has some clever tricks when it comes to holding the stamp while you are making it. He even has come up with a clever trick to "index" the stamp, which I am assuming he came up with from an ancient way of gemstone cutting; what I am saying is that these simple tricks are what you would call genius, and 100% applicable.And now for the best part. You know those two-part Male & Female repousse stamps/dyes you look at all day, but cost $150 for one simple shape? Or those beautiful concho dyes and shot plates you'd love to have, but can't afford? Well, thankfully, he tells you how to make those. The method to making them is actually very simple, and straightforward.All in all, I highly recommend this book; especially if you are interested in southwestern style jewelry.

This book is a no nonsense how to on making an essential and expensive tool for jewelry making. I have a 42 year background as a working blacksmith and all of this information is accurate and easy to follow

I am just starting to learn jewelry making and metal smithing. This book has given me great insight into working with tool steel to create my own stamping designs for handmade jewelry. It was a quick read and very informative. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in creating their own metal stamping designs.

It's more pamphlet than feature-length book, but has good material. It covers kinds of steel for making tools, hardening, tempering, and annealing - things you'd already know if you work much in steel. It also covers the kinds of files, cutoff wheels, and burs you might already know if you've worked in jewelry. (The one distinctive idea I found here was stacking cutoff wheels with washers spacing them apart, a tool for cutting parallel grooves.)So, although the combination of steel and small tools might be distinctive, the pieces mostly weren't. One thing I found missing but important for the tools I make: polishing the punch. Soft metals accept any mark the tool has on it, whether you meant it or not. If your punch has any appreciable width, as chasing tools do, you'll probably want the working surface as clean as possible, even mirror-bright. It might not be so important when your punch's indentations are just a millimeter or two. But, if the mark is big enough, polishing the tool will make a big difference.On the whole, good stuff, especially if your work involves a lot of punches and you want your own distinctive tools. Not really a must-have, though, and a bit pricey for the amount of material presented.-- wiredweirdUpdate: This book has been overtaken by Cheminée's far more complete, wide-ranging, and better-illustrated reference. I strongly recommend that newer book.

Best on the subject and phenom value.

Easy to follow with thoughtful step by step instructionsGreat for hobbyists and metal-smithsCreative ideas to get you started

I loved this book.It was well written and easy to understand. It has more than enough information to get you started on making your own stamps.

The only thing that I dislike is I don't have the paperback book to see when I wanted to check about what I need to do.