The fifth book Silver Soldering Simplified (2013), combines ancient chain designs with modern silversmithing techniques and fine-wire woven beading patterns to create unique jewelry projects. This user-friendly guidebook details all the tools and materials needed for simplified silver soldering with a hand-held butane torch and Argentium silver solder paste in a syringe, along with detailed solutions for common soldering problems.
We will explore weaving thin 24-gauge wire lengths into the large diameter soldered frames for the Peace Symbol series, and then slowly increase the design complexity by spiraling and soldering the ‘gravity-defying’ Propeller designs. The next level spirals multiple large diameter rings within an outer frame to create the Dharma Wheel formation, completed with wire-wrapped parachute cord technique. This book concludes by twisting a soldered oval into a Figure Eight frame between two mandrels to be embellished with a fine-wire woven beading pattern.
With this 160-page book, you will learn how to create 24 gorgeous jewelry projects designed to take your craftsmanship to the next level of silversmithing. Scroll down to view jewelry projects, magazine articles, and customer reviews. Click on any jewelry design image to view a larger photograph within a Lightbox Slideshow application.
In promotion of the upcoming fifth book, I was thrilled to get a step-by-step tutorial on how to solder, twist, and wire-wrap the Repetitive Eight Bracelet published in the September 2013 issue of Step-by-Step Wire Jewelry Magazine.
Great Explanatory Graphics
“Like all of Plumlee’s books, this one has great graphics, which are exceptionally helpful as you follow his techniques.” – AAB at Amazon
Silver Soldering Simplified
“I have had several ‘a-ha’ moments reading this book; it has cleared up many questions about soldering. I highly recommend this for beginners and pros!” – Connie at Etsy
Good Instructions
“The information and instructions were well worth the price.” – Patricia at Amazon
Soldering Simplified
“The projects in the book look not too complicated and as I am new to this technique this a a book that will teach me.” – Susan at Amazon
Exceptionally well-done!
“If you want to learn how to do something RIGHT, learn from Scott David Plumlee. I learned how to chainmaille from his first book, and have been addicted ever since. I can’t say enough about his clear, concise, teaching skills. His technique is flawless. Learn from the best!” – Karolyn at Etsy
Excellent explanations that anyone can understands
“I bought this book specifically for a friend of mine who is excellent in silversmithing. She fell in love with some of the patterns, and I fell in love with some others. There are also excellent explanations or tips you may have forgotten if you solder silver.” – Roselyn at Amazon
1st class Reading
“This book is one of the best I have read it is full of clear instruction and the pictures are very good.” – Rita at Amazon
Fantastic book!
“I love all of Scott David’s books – such great detail and I always learn something.” – Christine at Etsy
A book for beginners
“It did have interesting ideas and beautiful work from the artist inside, but nothing really new to teach me I guess; it was certainly well worth the money if you’re just getting started with a micro torch though.” – Stpginkof at Amazon
A Truly Elegant, Fascinating and Fun Technique for All Kinds of Jewelry Designers and Artisans
“What an awesome book! This project loaded, informative and great instructional book is by the experienced and wonderful author, Scott David Plumlee. Silver Soldering Simplified, A New Jewelry Technique You Can Do at Home, delivers, exactly as promised! Through his super ability of informed teaching techniques, all the information you could possibly require in order to learn what is a brand-new jewelry technique is available to you right now! Not only that, you will be able to understand and access this information easily. If you already have a handheld torch, which most people who are interested in soldering have, you have most of the tool battle won! Granted, that is a slight overstatement, but as a dedicated jewelry designer who loves metalwork, this reviewer, for example, has or has had every single item needed at one time or another, except the newly developed ones which make this book so cool and compelling.
To work on the designs, the reader may sit anywhere in the house which has a table. Great! No studio required! Shortly you will be creating (and riffing off of) the author’s projects, making beauty at every turn, and having fun! Indeed yes! This is one totally FUN jewelry design book! I assure you the driving force behind this is the brilliant mind and classic art of the author at work, but there is a definite playful aspect to these projects and … it’s catching! You will soon understand what I mean, right after you get the book.
As the author is renowned for his chain maille, you may be wondering how much chain maille is offered. There is plenty and it is lovely! I admire chain maille in every way, so I was delighted to see that this ancient form of ring weaving appears in this book. As far as I am concerned, when designed and adapted by a master like Scott David Plumlee, a book without chain maille would be greatly lacking. Do not worry. The author’s new technique adds to chain maille in some instances in the projects. What is more, the two meld perfectly. So, back to the new technique. What is this technique and how do you learn it? It has to do with recent advancements in soldering.
The timing is great, because, as the author explains, he was ready to “move on beyond cold-connected chain and bead jewelry techniques and explore new territories” just at the time he was ready to write this, his fifth book. The ease of use and the availability of the hand held butane torch is a great boon. However, more than that (and this reviewer is fairly aware of new items, BUT NOT THIS!), something else has just appeared on the jewelry design scene.
This something else is a new combination of Argentium silver solder paste in a syringe (!!!) and a special working surface called the Solderite board. Get yourself a torch, the paste and the board. You can accomplish handily what the author teaches. His jewelry designs are rated beginner, intermediate and advanced by him. In each, you will have control of your designs with “repeatable consistency” because Scott David Plumlee cares about his readers and students and has made sure of this. This is a super great method to try therefore, because combined with the creativity you will find which always emanates from this author, you get to make things that you have only imagined in your dreams before this book!
There are initial sections which cover (very comprehensively) the wire, beads, equipment, tools, patinas and finishes needed. There is a great section on jump rings and basic chain patterns. Then comes soldering itself and troubleshooting concerning soldering. You will also get some great extras, including making clasps and even ear wires which will be incorporated later. As with his projects, you will love these clasps and ear wires. After all this wonderful information, the reader will be ready to explore the chapters containing the jewelry design projects.
I recommend this book for any jewelry design artist to illuminate the creative mind. You will learn theory, be inspired and love trying everything. And that is the joy and the fun you will derive from owning Silver Soldering Simplified, A New Jewelry Technique You Can Do at Home by Scott David Plumlee. This one will be a staple in any jewelry designer’s library. It is wonderful!” – Jean at Amazon