---
product_id: 117292113
title: "The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry"
brand: "kate mckinnon"
price: "$U2513"
currency: UYU
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 12
url: https://www.desertcart.uy/products/117292113-the-jewelry-architect-techniques-and-projects-for-mixed-media-jewelry
store_origin: UY
region: Uruguay
---

# The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry

**Brand:** kate mckinnon
**Price:** $U2513
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry by kate mckinnon
- **How much does it cost?** $U2513 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.uy](https://www.desertcart.uy/products/117292113-the-jewelry-architect-techniques-and-projects-for-mixed-media-jewelry)

## Best For

- kate mckinnon enthusiasts

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## Description

The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry

## Images

![The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry - Image 1](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61DpSg2ww+L.jpg)
![The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry - Image 2](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51xcAy4OREL.jpg)
![The Jewelry Architect: Techniques and Projects for Mixed-Media Jewelry - Image 3](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4191J2zvU3L.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    Outstanding!
  

*by S***D on Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2016*

The mixed-media designs in this book are truly innovative.  Kate Mckinnon's work is stunning and inspirational.  I admire her craftsmanship and precision in her work as well as her creativity.  This is not one of the many ordinary jewelry making books on the market for hobbyists, and it  is definitely for an advanced or ambitious intermediate level jewelry maker.I like to combine techniques, and although instructions are included for all jewelry making techniques described in her projects, you would be ahead of the game to have already mastered them. These techniques include basic metalsmithing, sewn beadworking (bead stitching), stringing, and wire work.  Forming components in PMC is also  included in some of these projects, so you would need access to a kiln to complete them.  However, in many cases you could  employ another forming technique as a substitute.  That is the whole point of the book, really; that is, creating one of a kind pieces by combining different techniques and materials.Although many of the designs in the book are standard designs in jewelry making, it's the creative combination of various media and methods that  take them from ordinary to extraordinary.  This book should get your creative juices flowing and inspire you to experiment with your work.  Obviously you can choose to execute these projects just as described or with variations, but I think it is better to take inspiration and develop your own style.  I love that clasp formed with fine silver clay and forged sterling wire on the bracelet featured on the cover.  I wish I had designed that; but it certainly gives me some ideas for my own.  Great book!

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    You will want to add this to your jewelry techniques reference library
  

*by J***R on Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2011*

I pre-ordered The Jewelry Architect from Amazon because I love Kate McKinnon's books and her work. It arrived in time for me to flip through it during my husband's heart surgery, but I was not in the state of mind to really look at it, understand the concept of the book and therefore I put it aside for about a month. I recently spent some quality time with this gem of a book, a cup of coffee, and a comfy chair and promptly fell head over heels.First of all, the book is well done, the photos are gorgeous and detailed. Everything is explained in a clear and concise manner. The focus of the book is how to construct strong, supple, beautiful jewelry in several different media that will last FOREVER. That's the part I didn't get when my brain was in squishy mode back at the beginning of November.There are 5 "Meat and Potatoes" chapters plus a gallery of eye candy. Each section has a short note from McKinnon on the topic of that particular section. The first section, titled Elements, McKinnon that writes: "I consider myself a maker of components, an engineer of connections....and only when the mood strikes do I assemble them into finished pieces." There are more nuggets of wisdom that can perhaps shed light on how you work or how you might work smarter.Elements contains 7 specific projects: 3 clasps, 2 ear wires, amd 2 ring findings. This chapter alone is worth the price of the book. McKinnon shows the reader how to use wire and/or clay to create beautiful one of a kind findings that will elevate your jewelry to the next level plus make it structurally sound. One of the clasps is just brilliant and makes me want to try beadweaving a cuff just so I have something to use that clasp on.The second chapter is titled Stringing, has 3 projects, and covers some basics of bead stringing and easy ways to add lushness and surprising elements to your designs.The third chapter is titled Beadwork. McKinnon's first foray into making jewelry was through sewn beadwork. Let me tell you, this chapter had me drooling and wishing I did beadwork. I love all 6 designs, how she adds extra components to make each piece unique, using media other than just seed beads. One of the ways she uses other media is through felt. There is a very clever design in which you can add or subtract from the base felt piece to change the look every day if you would like. The Riverbed Bracelet (the large photo on the cover of the book) is too stunning for words. I want to make one for myself one day.The fourth chapter is called Wire and Metalwork, which focuses heavily (but not exclusively) on metal clay combined with fine silver. The 6 projects include a fun cha cha kind of pearl cluster to hang on a chain. Another project is a fun mechanical chain made with silver clay. My two favorite projects are the Kaleidoscop Setting and the Treasure Boxes because they are so awesome and would be a great fit with my lampwork beads.The fifth chapter is the Basics section and is much heavier on the basics than the typical book. You won't be disappointed in it.Included with the book is a bonus DVD where McKinnon demonstrates certain techniques and chats about structure. The crimping lesson alone is worth the price of the book. Maybe I will finally get that technique nailed. However, the DVD also covers topics on stitching, fiber, metal clay, and wire. McKinnon is not a flamboyant person by any stretch of the imagination, but her passion for the subject of creating long lasting heirloom jewelry is very apparent.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 







  
  
    TEN stars!
  

*by L***R on Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2015*

I'd give this one ten stars if I could. It is chock full of wonderful creative and structural information and techniques from an author who is widely known for her offbeat and often brilliant designs. Kate McKinnon tends to move along in her design modes; known for many years primarily for her metal works, she has spent the past 3-4 years in the burgeoning world of creative geometric beadwork, and has so far produced two stunning books on that topic. But her older structural work truly does influence her current forms; metalwork has the potential of hundreds of years; one certainly expects the beadwork to last for decades. This book and its accompanying DVD are loaded with little and big ideas for design, structure, finishing, and artistic considerations. My advice? Grab a copy of this while you still can. It's a superb reference for design and technique.

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*Product available on Desertcart Uruguay*
*Store origin: UY*
*Last updated: 2026-03-05*