Book excerpt: Metalsmithing can be a daunting task, especially to the beginner. This beautifully photographed, comprehensive guide provides crafters of all levels with a gentle, user-friendly approach to substantial metal jewelry-making skills. After reviewing the fundamentals of jewelry design, raw materials, and safety in the studio, readers are introduced to tools for cutting, drilling, forming, soldering, polishing, and more. Next, they will learn a variety of techniques including piercing, stamping, forging, annealing, oxidizing, casting, and even setting stones, enabling them to create 25 stunning and professional-looking projects. "