Reviews - Complete Metalsmith

For the past 20 years we've shared our workbenches with a dear old friend upon whom we've depended on for all sorts of information and advice: Complete Metalsmith by Tim McCreight. That its once bright cover is now stained and its crisp pages dog-eared in no way diminishes our reliance on this treasured old friend. McCreight's first edition, published in 1982 with its red cover, was revised in 1991 when it gained its now familiar green cover. Both editions have become a standard reference for beginner and advanced metalsmiths.

Recently, we were introduced to the latest edition, sporting a smart, stylish green cover and larger binding rings. At first we felt a twinge of guilt showering our attention on this new upstart; however, our closer examination revealed that nothing had been lost. Instead, a plethora of new materials and techniques are presented that will enable metalsmiths to master the challenges of modern technology.

There have been many advances in metalworking technology since 1991, most notably being metal clay, which had yet to be introduced. McCreight has expanded many topics such as stonesetting, hinges and catches, anodizing aluminum, coloring metals (patinas) and gemstones (including color pictures). Plus, he has added topics such as enameling, and new sections like the one on Charles Lewton-Brain's foldforming and another on Jean Stark's classical loop-in-loop chains. He details safety considerations and the dangers of numerous materials and chemicals that we encounter in our art and craft. He also covers how improper handling of tools can result in repetitive stress injuries. Anything of questionable safety has been removed or revised.

This 2004 edition is available in three versions. The Student Edition is a small, 160-page, full-color version with a plastic cover and lie-flat spiral binding, featuring a one-topic-to-a-page format. The Professional Edition is a larger, 312-page, full-color version with a light green fabric hardcover, larger lay-flat spiral bindings, and an elastic band to hold notes. The ProPlus Edition is the printed professional edition plus a bonus CD that takes advantage of the latest electronic technology. It is filled with additional books, videos, and programs. Bonuses contained on the CD are as follows:

• Complete Metalsmith, original 1982 edition
• Complete Metalsmith, the 2004 full Professional Edition in searchable and printable PDF format.
• Practical Jewelry Rendering, full text
• Design Language--a specially created electronic edition
• A metals calculating and conversion program designed to run on PDAs, and also included are versions designed to run on both Macintosh and PC desktops.
• Video Clips, an extensive collection of videos illustrating various processes described in the text
• All of the software needed to support the content of the CD for both PC and Macintosh computers.

Tom and Kay Benham
Lapidary Journal magazine

. . . .there is much reliable material not elsewhere available and the method and ease of use of the book must recommend it to many teachers, students and craftsmen. Those in the industry will find hints and recipes that are normally difficult to find. Once you get used to the cryptic presentation the ease of access to information becomes a novelty and one finds reaching for the book and everyday necessity. The strange mix of science, craft technology and silversmithing folklore will appeal to many and can certainly be packed into such a small book. It is titled as an illustrated handbook and in a totally unpretentious way this is exactly what it is.