I just finished reading Findings and Finishings by Sharon Bateman. It's part of the Interweave Press How To series.
For all the people who want instructions on finishing jewelry, this is a wonderful resource book. It's well written and gorgeously printed in color.
It's a nice overview of finishing techniques, including some absolutely inspirational clasps done in seed beads, she has wire tips and instructions for wire clasps, detailed hints and instructions for finishings.
It's got nice ideas for beginners, and for wireworkers both beginning and experienced. Bails and earrings and multi strand clasps that are well thought out.
It's also a great book for advanced beaders as well, there are some projects and ideas in it that are just really inspirational. I'm absolutely in love with some of the seed bead clasp ideas, they are elegant and gorgeously executed, and I know I'll be using them in the near future. There is a slide bar bracelet that's so clever it took my breath away. I can picture it so well with a rug pattern peyote stitched bracelet!
I was very impressed. In some ways, learning how to end a piece of jewelry you've spent a lot of time on in a way that balances well and is as beautiful as the rest of the piece is very hard, this book makes it much easier to have the back of your necklace or bracelet look as amazing at the front does. A lot of the ideas are also a lot less expensive then buying fancy findings that only "almost" match your finished piece. With this in hand, you can design the perfect finish for your piece.
It was released by Interweave Press, the company that does Beadwork magazine. This book easily meets all expectations. I've been using it as a reference since I got it.
You can order it directly from Interweave, or click the link below to order it from Amazon.