Published in hardcover in 2003, the paperback version of this book is due out in the end of September, 2006. The links below the book cover image will take you to the paperback versions, but you can still get the hardcover book, sometimes "new & used," from Amazon.com, and Amazon.co.uk.

This book is typical of "how to" books published for — I think — the US market in the past few years. There is a basic introduction to the craft, along with information on materials and tools needed, and photos and descriptions of the basic techniques. Any specialized techniques used in the project section are also described, and safety issues are covered. Then, the book offers several projects, described in words and pictures, from start to finish. Usually, there's a small gallery of various artists' work at the end. This formula is very useful as a teaching tool, and presumably successful as a book format, since several publishers seem to be following it.

My main problem with the formula is that it tends to emphasize information for the beginner. Every book starts out with the basics, and every book has projects designed with the beginner in mind. Projects usually get more complex by the end of the book, but not all projects end up being very complex. And with some of these books, complexity doesn't seem to be the point.

This isn't all bad, even for people who are ready to see more advanced projects. For example, it's interesting to see which tools a particular artist feels are the Must Haves for the craft. And you can almost always get a tip or two from seeing someone work on basic techniques.

Gollberg's Making Metal Jewelry follows the formula well, and tends toward simpler projects. In this case, one doesn't really miss complex projects, since the emphasis is on techniques that don't require soldering, or using a torch even for annealing. This makes it a good book for a beginning jeweler.

There are 21 projects: five necklaces, five earrings, five rings, four bracelets, and two brooches. The projects cover a nice variety of techniques: piercing and sawing (sometimes quite intricate), surface textures, folding and bending both wire and sheet metal, jump rings, linking beads with wire wraps, cold connections (including rivets, tube rivets, and nuts and bolts), copper etching, and prong-set cabochons. Included are ideas for different kinds of findings, including making a catch and joint for a brooch with no soldering, and making post earrings. Gollberg uses several different metals (silver, copper and brass), and several different shapes of metal (flat sheet, tubes, and round, rectangular and square wire).

The projects also include a nice variety of designs. Ancient designs (a thorn clasp and mandala are used) and more contemporary ideas are covered. Simple elements get nice surface textures, and pieces aren't always flat (the bracelet shown in the lower right of the book cover is a lovely example). In addition, Gollberg stresses the idea of modifying her designs to suit your own style. To support this, she sometimes provides her own alternate designs of projects.

In all, a fine book for a beginner, and an interesting collection for a more advanced jeweler. Gollberg also provides a circle divider template, which is essential for many of her projects, but useful for many other designs as well.