The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry

The mixed-media designs in this book are truly innovative. Kate Mckinnon's work is stunning and inspirational. I admire her craftsmanship and precision in her work as well as her creativity. This is not one of the many ordinary jewelry making books on the market for hobbyists, and it is definitely for an advanced or ambitious intermediate level jewelry maker.I like to combine techniques, and although instructions are included for all jewelry making techniques described in her projects, you would be ahead of the game to have already mastered them. These techniques include basic metalsmithing, sewn beadworking (bead stitching), stringing, and wire work. Forming components in PMC is also included in some of these projects, so you would need access to a kiln to complete them. However, in many cases you could employ another forming technique as a substitute. That is the whole point of the book, really; that is, creating one of a kind pieces by combining different techniques and materials.Although many of the designs in the book are standard designs in jewelry making, it's the creative combination of various media and methods that take them from ordinary to extraordinary. This book should get your creative juices flowing and inspire you to experiment with your work. Obviously you can choose to execute these projects just as described or with variations, but I think it is better to take inspiration and develop your own style. I love that clasp formed with fine silver clay and forged sterling wire on the bracelet featured on the cover. I wish I had designed that; but it certainly gives me some ideas for my own. Great book!

I pre-ordered The Jewelry Architect from Amazon because I love Kate McKinnon's books and her work. It arrived in time for me to flip through it during my husband's heart surgery, but I was not in the state of mind to really look at it, understand the concept of the book and therefore I put it aside for about a month. I recently spent some quality time with this gem of a book, a cup of coffee, and a comfy chair and promptly fell head over heels.First of all, the book is well done, the photos are gorgeous and detailed. Everything is explained in a clear and concise manner. The focus of the book is how to construct strong, supple, beautiful jewelry in several different media that will last FOREVER. That's the part I didn't get when my brain was in squishy mode back at the beginning of November.There are 5 "Meat and Potatoes" chapters plus a gallery of eye candy. Each section has a short note from McKinnon on the topic of that particular section. The first section, titled Elements, McKinnon that writes: "I consider myself a maker of components, an engineer of connections....and only when the mood strikes do I assemble them into finished pieces." There are more nuggets of wisdom that can perhaps shed light on how you work or how you might work smarter.Elements contains 7 specific projects: 3 clasps, 2 ear wires, amd 2 ring findings. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. McKinnon shows the reader how to use wire and/or clay to create beautiful one of a kind findings that will elevate your jewelry to the next level plus make it structurally sound. One of the clasps is just brilliant and makes me want to try beadweaving a cuff just so I have something to use that clasp on.The second chapter is titled Stringing, has 3 projects, and covers some basics of bead stringing and easy ways to add lushness and surprising elements to your designs.The third chapter is titled Beadwork. McKinnon's first foray into making jewelry was through sewn beadwork. Let me tell you, this chapter had me drooling and wishing I did beadwork. I love all 6 designs, how she adds extra components to make each piece unique, using media other than just seed beads. One of the ways she uses other media is through felt. There is a very clever design in which you can add or subtract from the base felt piece to change the look every day if you would like. The Riverbed Bracelet (the large photo on the cover of the book) is too stunning for words. I want to make one for myself one day.The fourth chapter is called Wire and Metalwork, which focuses heavily (but not exclusively) on metal clay combined with fine silver. The 6 projects include a fun cha cha kind of pearl cluster to hang on a chain. Another project is a fun mechanical chain made with silver clay. My two favorite projects are the Kaleidoscop Setting and the Treasure Boxes because they are so awesome and would be a great fit with my lampwork beads.The fifth chapter is the Basics section and is much heavier on the basics than the typical book. You won't be disappointed in it.Included with the book is a bonus DVD where McKinnon demonstrates certain techniques and chats about structure. The crimping lesson alone is worth the price of the book. Maybe I will finally get that technique nailed. However, the DVD also covers topics on stitching, fiber, metal clay, and wire. McKinnon is not a flamboyant person by any stretch of the imagination, but her passion for the subject of creating long lasting heirloom jewelry is very apparent.

I'd give this one ten stars if I could. It is chock full of wonderful creative and structural information and techniques from an author who is widely known for her offbeat and often brilliant designs. Kate McKinnon tends to move along in her design modes; known for many years primarily for her metal works, she has spent the past 3-4 years in the burgeoning world of creative geometric beadwork, and has so far produced two stunning books on that topic. But her older structural work truly does influence her current forms; metalwork has the potential of hundreds of years; one certainly expects the beadwork to last for decades. This book and its accompanying DVD are loaded with little and big ideas for design, structure, finishing, and artistic considerations. My advice? Grab a copy of this while you still can. It's a superb reference for design and technique.

This book has been looked at by me, but these are the kind of books I normally study. Author is using kilns in alot of the projects. I don't have one and would not have purchased this book if I would have known. I was under the impression that this was more on design and wire as that it how it was represented in a youtube video. I have not watched the DVD and don't even know if I will bother. For me, it was a waste of money. For someone who has a kiln... who knows? Probably a very nice book.

If you are looking for a book filled with beadweaving patterns, this is not the book you want. If you are looking for a book about many different jewelry techniques, this book is filled with those; from stinging, beadwork, wire and metalwork.

Kate Mckinnon is pretty brilliant and I admire her focus on quality work. The video is what really sold me though. The book only had so much interest for me but I loved seeing her explain her philosophy and tricks to great jewelry on the DVD. It's worth the price of the book or look for the publisher's download of the video.

Excellent . I am trying to teach myself geometric beading I had book two but I realized the first was a must. The work shown in book is the finest you will ever see.

Beautiful book and even though I don't think I could make the beaded jewelry. I learned a lot about metal clay jewelry and I think I can use a lot of what I learned from the book. I really love Kate Mckinnon's jewelry. Beautiful illustrations

Good book if you work with metal clay, I ordered the book because the description gave the impression that it was a mixed media book. While this is technically true , there is very little for working with silver and other metals apart from wirework and metal clay.The title and advertising gave the impression it would be a book relating to designing jewellery which is what I had expected, sadly that is not the case. However it is a nice book and good if metal clay and beads are your speciality.

At first look I am impressed with this 143 page book. The photographs show good level of detail and the whole appears to be logically and clearly described. The projects are interesting. The jewellery making resources are not British but it's still very well worth buying.

Extremely useful and well produced book

Received a looked for book early, at good cost and shipping rate.Very happy with the service provided by seller. Comprehensive stock, good prices and fair shipping.Will definitively recommend.