The Art of Enameling: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration

This is the best enameling book I've ever read. It somehow covers basic to intricate all in one book. You can get this book as a beginner and refer back to it forever.You also get a bit of a bonus, Linda includes lots of great information on techniques that aren't enameling directly. Foldforming, encaustic (seriously! I thought I was one of ten people actually doing encaustic lol) etching etc. Now she doesn't go in depth, but that would make this heavy detailed book even longer (not that I would complain Haha).She does go into super detail about enameling, as one would hope. I don't think I expected how detailed though. Extensive information into different types of enameling, torch, kiln, wet, dry, then techniques, painting, pouring, sifting (detailed photos and hints on proper sifting technique!), stencil, Sgraffito (scratching), drilling dry fired and filling with fresh wet or dry. How to fix, make bezels, set into bezels, think about your piece and determine the best way to plan how it will be set.*takes breath*Aand..... on it goes. The single most comprehensive book on enameling I own, and I own several.We love our books, inspiration, reference, reading when we can't be doing... so we will always collect them, however, if you are starting out or have limited budget or are looking to add to your extensive library with a book of substance this is your book. More than worth it's price (don't tell anyone else so the price doesn't go up but this could be priced as a textbook, it's laid out like a class she teaches and it's jam packed with years of experience... worth several times it's price! Shh lol).This book will be posty note marked on every page. Wealth of information and inspiration newbie to professional. Drool worthy photos. Must have for every artist using enameling in their work. Lots of historical information about enameling so it's a lesson in the evolution of enameling as much as the process.Photos are showing the amazing things a master can do with enamels but don't be discouraged, she spends tons of time showing basic steps to becoming a master yourself. This is 176 pages cram packed with tips, tricks, suggestions, history and life experience.I can't say enough good about it... clearly lol.Get this book, you will not regret it!

Just received this wonderful book & stayed up into the wee hours of the morning immersed in it. As an enameling beginner, I first ordered Torch Fired Enamel jewelry by Barbara Lewis. I found her 'immersion method' a friendly way to begin to explore the enameling world. This book is a great companion to Lewis' book. Linda takes it to the next level, and is full of yummy ideas and exciting techniques for creating enameled surfaces. Most seem torch-friendly too. It answered a lot of my questions & recharged my creativity. She explains the many enamel types, mesh sizes & how to use them. She has a clear & succinct writing style - no fluff here! Don't be put off by the short length of the book, as every page is packed with info (my only tiny complaint are the small pictures of the artist's finished works). As a long time bead-worker (& color lover), i wanted to stretch myself & create my own charms & pendants. Thank you Linda for this inspiring book!btw; I am 'fire-phobic', so I bought myself a leather apron & sleeves for my arms at Charm and Hammer. They sell safety equipment for women welders, blacksmiths etc. Highly recommended. Already saved me from a burned arm from my unlit, but still hot torch.

Comprehensive! THE essential book on enamel. Complex projects described in easy-to-understand prose, accompanied by gorgeous color illustrations. There's plenty here for the advanced beginner as well as the experienced enamelist. Darty explains not only the "how," but also the "why" of each technique, empowering the enamelist to creatively tweak and combine techniques (rather than simply recreating a project). The subtitle ("Techniques, Projects, Inspiration") is spot-on: I have already marked many techniques to try!

very through and explains all in detail

"The Art of Enameling" is a great resource of those wanting to learn about the enameling process. We have been thinking about expanding our small business to include custom made jewelery and higher-end crafts, so an artist friend of ours recommended this book to use as a starting point in enameling.The book covers all aspects of enameling, include equipment, supplies, techniques, and projects. Each section contains useful and beautiful pictures of enameled pieces to illustrate the techniques being highlighted.My only minor issue is that the book does not contain a supplier list, however the publisher maintains an excellent list on it's web page and includes the address on page 175 of the book.This is one of the best "craft" books I have ever seen on any subject, so if you have any interest in enameling this is the book to get!Highly Recommended!CFH

Considering the difficulty of obtaining a good resource for enameling...I must say this book is the best you are going to find outside of one on one instruction. If you can find any video tutorials online like on youtube that actually SHOWS you someone performing said technique you will be much better off. Enameling takes a sort of finesse you can only obtain by actually watching the wrist flicks and etc. You can and will learn a lot from this book. Plenty of photos and good advice BUT do supplement it with youtube videos or an in person class and you will be enameling beautiful pieces in no time. Definitely recommended above any other book on enameling out right now.

I bought this book with the assumption that it would be a typical crafts book. Wow, I was really wrong! To start with, Linda Darty spent seven years working at Penland School of Crafts - see (The Nature of Craft and the Penland Experience: Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Penland School of Crafts). So nothing in her book is at all mundane, typical or trivial.This book, although only 176 pages, is easily on par with Oppi Untracht's artisan technique books both in its knowledge base and its writing style. For those who've never heard of Oppi these are his two essential books:Jewelry: Concepts And TechnologyMetal Techniques for Craftsmen: A Basic Manual on the Methods of Forming and Decorating MetalsThe book itself is divided into three sections: "Enameling Fundamentals", "Enameling Techniques" and "Projects". It will lead the enameler through all the steps needed to learn theory and practice of studio setup, materials preparation, surface preparation, application, firing, finishing and setting technique. Then it will lead the reader through a series of projects of increasing technical and artistic complexity which demonstrate the art in its finest form.I was particularly impressed in the fact that the book just didn't limit itself to telling how to grind, sift and apply enamel powders. It went into good detail for the myriad metalworking tasks needed to actually make enameled objects. So the end result is a textbook for a professional course in enameling. Thanks Linda for taking the time to write this masterpiece!

This book has something for every level of enameler. The beginning enameler will learn some easy fun techniques but it will also introduce one to the more complex, professional techniques of history and art.

Fantastic book, iI had a great day after seeing this book kkkkkkkkk

Muy bueno, muy completo aunque todavía no lo termino de leer, excelente libro de consulta, necesario tenerlo en la biblioteca

Uno de los mejores libros de esmalte al fuego que existen.

This is a superb book on enameling. The author not only shares her techniques, but the techniques gleaned from other enamlists around the world. I don't do enameling - yet - but think that after reading this book, I'll be able to create basic pieces rather easily.Lots of full coloured photos of pieces from various artists are also showed and briefly described. Very inspirational. Even if you just like jewelry, this might be a book to get for the coffee table.

Thank you .... It is perfect!! It took a while in the post...but it was worth it! Very good book