MJSA Press, a division of Manufacturing Jewelers & Suppliers of America, has published The Jeweler’s Bench Book, the second volume in the “Orchid in Print: Maximum Bench Work” series produced in collaboration with The Ganoksin Project.

Written by Charles Lewton-Brain, a renowned metalsmith and author who heads the jewelry/metals program at the Alberta College of Art & Design in Canada, the book offers expert advice on how to choose and modify a bench to meet specific needs. With full-color illustrations, it covers everything from the basics of bench design to ingenious tips for tool storage and arrangement. It also includes real-life “tours” showing how renowned jewelers have set up their own bench areas for maximum efficiency in such tasks as stone setting, wax carving, and general repair and fabrication.

“Orchid in Print” is named after the Ganoksin e-mail forum that involves thousands of jewelry makers daily. The first book in the series, Making the Most of Your Flex-shaft by Karen Christians, focuses on how jewelers can best choose the right flex-shaft systems and accessories for their needs. The prime sponsor of both books is Rio Grande, Albuquerque, N.M., one of the world’s largest suppliers to the jewelry industry.

Copies of The Jeweler’s Bench Book are available for $34.95 through MJSA, Ganoksin, and leading industry distributors, as well as Amazon.com. For more information about the book, including available member discounts, contact MJSA at 1-800-444-6572, ext. 3038, or visit www.mjsa.org. For more information about The Ganoksin Project, go to www.ganoksin.com.

JCK