Book Review: Heat, Color, Set & Fire

Heat, Color, Set & Fire: Surface Effects for Metal JewelryHeat, Color, Set & Fire: Surface Effects for Metal Jewelry by Mary Hettmansperger

This is another free book for review from Lark Crafts. Thanks, Lark! It is a large 8.5″ x 11″ book with gorgeous violet-lavender endpapers. In flipping through the tome, I noticed that earth tones dominate. Every once in a while there is a spark of color, which is used effectivelyl to catch the reader’s interest. I also noticed a lot of spiral motifs in the book.

After the introduction, which mostly sells the book and doesn’t introduce the author much, the book launches right into a section on materials (pg.8-27). This section is well illustrated and I particularly liked the subheading fonts. The section is also LONG and includes photos of items such as Liver of Sulfur, gloves and earplugs, disk cutter & punches, tripod for firing and a bench grinder. Interspersed with these scary looking tools are photos of jewelry, presumably to soften the blow for a new jeweler.  😉 The Basic Techniques section is also quite long (pg.29-51). Each part of the Basic Techniques section gives step by step instructions for creating a new texture or applying a technique and then shows an example of the end result. I am pleased the author and publisher thought it was worthwhile to document and illustrate these foundation sections so thoroughly.

There are 21 projects included, each spanning about 4 pages. Lots of illustrations and drawings are included with each project. Templates are frequently included as well and variations are shown in photos to spark creativity. I like the Colored Tin Collection project, the Mixed Metal Bracelet project, especially the variations, and the Orange Enamel Choker, though I might want to put the pendant on a different chain.

This seems to be a great book for adding texture to your metal projects.

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Creative Prompt #154: Escape

escape paintball

Escape from Alcatraz

By Emily Dickinson

I never hear the word “Escape”
Without a quicker blood,
A sudden expectation –
A flying attitude!
I never hear of prisons broad
By soldiers battered down,
But I tug childish at my bars
Only to fail again!

Escape from New York

a computer game

the Great Escape

escape fate

escape the maze

 

Definition: [ih-skeyp] Show IPAverb, es·caped, es·cap·ing, noun, adjective, verb (used without object). 1. to slip or get away, as from confinement or restraint; gain or regain liberty: to escape from jail. 2. to slip away from pursuit or peril; avoid capture, punishment, or any threatened evil. 3.to issue from a confining enclosure, as a fluid. 4. to slip away; fade: The words escaped from memory. 5. Botany . (of an originally cultivated plant) to grow wild. verb (used with object):  7. to slip away from or elude (pursuers, captors, etc.): He escaped the police. 8. to succeed in avoiding (any threatened or possible danger or evil): She escaped capture. 9. to elude (one’s memory, notice, search, etc.). 10. to fail to be noticed or recollected by (a person): Her reply escapes me. 11. (of a sound or utterance) to slip from or be expressed by (a person, one’s lips, etc.) inadvertently.

Ford Escape SUV

Her name escapes me

escape the room

escapism: is mental diversion by means of entertainment or recreation, as an “escape” from the perceived unpleasant or banal aspects of daily life. It can also be used as a term to define the actions people take to help relieve persisting feelings of depression or general sadness. (Wikipedia)

prison break

Escape”, a song by Journey from the album Escape

to elude

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. Are you already a member? I created that spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses. Please join and look at all of the great artwork that people have posted.

to succeed in avoiding