Library Book Review:

“Woodturning Jewellery” by Hilary Bowen

Reviewed by: Chelsea Deakins

This book is organized into three main sections:
  • The first includes safety, tools, timbers, chucking and design.
  • The second section focuses on jewelry projects: earrings, brooches, bangles, rings and necklaces.
  • And the third looks at further techniques and refinements in making jewelry.
As I began reading this book there were two things that I was observing intently for. One was clarity and the other was creativity.

In regards to clarity, I was very pleased with how easy the book reads. It is extremely orderly and well organized. It has a very deliberate discipline in its order combined with good large diagrams and pictures that make it easy to understand. And it is modular. For example if you wanted to make an ebony ring with a wire inlay you could read only the ring section and the wire inlay section and be able to execute this project with success.

In regards to creativity, I especially enjoyed Part 3 of the book because it went into detail on stains and dyes, inlaying wire, laminating, alternative materials and other decorative techniques. The author, Hilary Bowen was already proficient in working with jewelry before she began turning on a lathe. So you could say she is a jeweler using a lathe. I find this gives her a unique perspective and insight as she approaches the lathe and develops her techniques. I appreciate the experimentation and thought she puts into her creations.

If I were allowed to add anything to this book I would include an additional set of pictures showing the jewelry being worn by different people. So one could get a better perspective on size and proportion. Also I would include a gallery section of wood jewelry made by other artists from other cultures round the world. I believe this would add richness and soul to the book that I feel it is otherwise lacking. However, it is an excellent technical manual.

To conclude, I do believe this book would be an asset to those interested in making jewelry and also to those who like to use small elegant details in their projects. The same jewelry techniques could be used on turnings such as napkin rings, tool handles, pens, and small boxes to name a few.

"Woodturning Jewellery" by Hilary Bowen, published by Fox Chapel Publishing, 1995, is available for checkout in the WNT library. Additional books from Fox Chapel Publishing will be reviewed in the near future and will also be available for checkout in the library. Review written by WNT member Chelsea Deakins.

Updated March 24, 2006

Copyright 2006, Woodturners of North Texas