What's the Hottest Jewelry-Making Technique for 2010?

Cold connections top the list for 2010 hot jewelry-making techniques
Please welcome Helen Driggs, managing editor of Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist and author of the Flashcard eNewsletter. Today she's bringing us her forecast that cold connections will be the most popular metal technique for 2010. I think she's hit the nail on the head with this one! ­–LR

It's riveting
You’d have to be living under a rock to not know that cold connections are smokin’ hot! It is possible to make very sophisticated jewelry even if you don’t have regular use of a torch. If you have been wanting to learn how to add the ubiquitous rivet to your own jewelry-making repertoire, the March 2010 Lapidary Journal Jewelry Artist is just the issue for you. (You can also catch my classes and demos at Bead Fest Philadelphia.)

See the details of the process
In my column, Cool Tools and Hip Tips I’ll show you how to make both tube and wire rivets just like a pro–in thorough detail. If you’ve never made a rivet and you’d like to try it, check it out. You’ll see every step of the process, from measuring, drilling, sawing, and setting to finishing your rivets.

Our detailed process photos get in close to show you how to create tube and wire rivets.

Learn how to create riveted links
In the same issue, the incomparable Connie Fox has created a tribute to Frida Kahlo in the form of a multi-metal linked bracelet that is entirely cold-connected with rivets, jump rings, and micro hardware.

Connie Fox reveals the facility of rivets in creating beauty in form and function.

Riveted art jewelry with glamour
Plus, our cover artist, Nanz Aalund, an accomplished goldsmith and well-known metalsmithing instructor, created this fantastic riveted gemstone pendant using a beautiful faceted gemstone and textured sterling silver.

Nanz Aalund’s stunning riveted gemstone and silver pendant shows how elegant and upscale rivets can be.

But wait, there’s more!
Later in the year, we’ll have more on cold connections, particularly in May, when we’ll feature a riveted cuff bracelet formed in a hydraulic press by popular Bead Fest instructor, Jack Berry, one of my favorite metalsmithing buddies!

Here is Jack Berry’s amazing hydraulic-press formed and riveted sterling cuff bracelet–awesome!