Wednesday, November 27, 2013

My Book-a-versary and a Giveaway

Unwrapping my first shipment.
Comments are closed! A Winner to be announced shortly.

November 27, 2012. It was official. My first book with DVD included, Simple Soldering: A Beginner's Guide to Jewelrymaking was released.

What a year it has been.

My heartfelt thanks to everyone who purchased the book. I love reading your emails and Amazon reviews! (Seriously, if I am ever feeling down, I click over to my review page. Thank you for all the love.)

WOW! There it is!
People have asked me how long it took to write and my ready answer is "20 years." My whole career moved me to the publication of my book. It was a labor of love and I still get excited to think that I have my very own ISBN number. 978-1596685505 to be exact.

It was the most amazing process. Scary. Easy. Hard. Exhilarating. Fun. Challenging. All at the same time. I could not have done it without the help of my family, friends and students. They propped me up, gave good advice and tested and tested and tested the projects.

Acknowledgements from the book.
There were some really fun parts of the process, but the most fun was when I traveled to the offices of Interweave Press to shoot the video and photos for my book. 
Me and my wonderful editor, Erica.
My dear friend Mary went with me to keep everything in line. (Seriously, everyone should be so lucky to have a friend like Mary. She seriously kept me on task and organized.)
Kate & Mary on set.
Mary put her theater skills to use and raided the prop room
at Interweave to decorate the set.
We shot the book video and all of the photos in four whirlwind days. It was such fun. And I learned a lot. That's the talented Joe Coca behind the camera.
Smile for the camera, torch!
It takes a village. Seriously.









So how to celebrate such a momentous occasion?? With a giveaway, of course. I have THREE autographed copies of my book to give away to my readers.

All you need to do to win is to leave a comment below. I will pick three winners at random next Wednesday, December 4. If you already have a copy of my book, then you can choose between a book OR instead I'll send you a link to take my Metalsmithing at Home class on Craftsy.com for FREE! Just let me know which one you'd like to win. This giveaway is open to everyone, not just USA readers.

Want extra entries? Repost the giveaway on your social media (Twitter, blog, FB) and come back here and let me know in the comments. Comment once for each extra social media posting so I can count each as an entry. Make sure I have a way to reach you in case you win. If you are an anonymous poster, just leave your email in the post (cryptically, like this... name (at) provider (dot) com.)

This...

..or this!
Leave your comment below and good luck!! And of course Happy Thanksgiving to all of my USA readers. Have a happy and safe holiday!

49 comments:

  1. Crossing my fingers that iam one of the lucky ones:)

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  2. I'm Bethany I aspire to be a certified master jeweler some day and your mini class on craftsy has helped me get one step closer :) I don't have your book yet but I would love to win it, and as soon as my mini store makes enough I will be joining your metalsmithing at home class too.
    you have been such an inspiration to me and I just want to thank you for that.

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  3. Congratulations, Kate!! I'm enrolled in your Metalsmithing at Home class at Craftsy and would love to read your book. Best regards!

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  4. Love your book. I have the kindle version and would love a hard copy. I have to keep racing to my computer in a different room to see the photos

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  5. Thanks for the behind-the-scenes look at creating your book. Very interesting -- congrats on all the hard work!! And yeah, I'd love a copy -- been holding off on snagging one until I was ready to sit down and do some metalsmithing -- but the acquisition of said book would definitely inspire that to happen as well. :)

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  6. i would love to win a copy of your fabulous new book!!! thank you for the opportunity and congratulations!!!

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  7. I would so love a copy of your fabulous book. I recently got my hands on your book from the local library here in New Zealand (I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw it there) but only had it for a few short weeks. I almost cried, when I had to return it. I would dearly love a copy to call my own.

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  8. If I don't win, I'll buy the book. I really need to get more comfortable with my soldering gun. Picking the right solder still scares me. Fancier metalsmithing is on my list of things to get better at next year. Thank you for this fun opportunity.

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  9. Thanks so much for your generosity! I would love to win this book-I've tried soldering years ago and was not very successful so further instruction would be great!

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  10. Love to play with fire, and I think your book would give me a boost of inspiration. Also "liked" on FB, twittered on k8ofkatehall & instagram kate_jewelry.

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  11. I purchased your Metalsmithing at Home class and it is OUTSTANDING!! Thanks for a chance to win your new book. Congrats to you on your book - what (another) amazing accomplishment for you :)

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  12. I absolutely LOVE your book and have had it for quite a while now but still go back to it often and always learn something new. I would love to get an autographed copy of it but would also love to get the online class to learn even more new stuff. Fingers crossed. You are such an inspiration. Jenny Massey - wtpooh0516@gmail.com

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  13. Very cool, congratulations on your bookaversary! I have taken your class on craftsy it's great! I didn't know you had a book and cant wait to see it. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  14. I have watched your "Metalsmithing at Home" video on Craftsy many times. You are an absolute hoot! I adore your enthusiasm, your sense of humor, not to mention you are so talented. I don't have a copy of "Simple Soldering" so winning a copy would be amazing! Soldering is one of those things that constantly eludes me.

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  15. Kate! Congratulations. I am so sorry that I was not able to come by your class at Beaducation, but I would love to win a copy of your book and then take a class at your studio and have you sign it! Fingers crossed! Happy Holidays!

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  16. Happy Bookaversary, Kate! Loved your classes at Bead & Button this year; look forward to seeing you again next year. :)

    lynn_daniel@sbcglobal.net

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  17. Congratulations, Kate! I would love to win your book.

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  18. Congratulations!!! I'd love to win your book!
    Alenka
    pepita.handmade@yahoo.com

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  19. Oh could I be this lucky!!! Looks like a beautiful book and DVD!

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  20. Love your blog..and had such a blast in your class this past September!! Wishing myself giid luck!! Lol!!

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  21. Thanks for giving us a behind the scenes peak! Would love to win the book!

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  22. That's AWESOME!!! I would love to win your book and your next one, and the next one ....lol

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  23. Oh how I'd like to be the proud owner of your book!
    Thank YOU for sharing your flaming magic....

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  24. Waw i love your blog and i would really love to have your signed book. ♥♥♥
    Love
    Sandra

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  25. Congratulations on a years sales, i would love to win your book to glean more info and advice on torch work.
    Sharing on FB profile too. palemooncreations

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  26. let me win please..never tried torch work before but i would like to learn :-D

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  27. I've learned so much from your class, and would love to have your book.

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  28. Congrats!!! Would love to win a copy of your book!

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  29. I would absolutely love to be in with a chance to win - please put my name in the hat! And congratulations on such a fab achievement :-)

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  30. I have shared on my personal fb page :-)

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  31. Congratulations, Kate, and thank you for all you're doing as a teacher.
    I've already got the book though as a digital edition, but it would be great to have a signed copy :)

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  32. Congratulations Kate!!
    Ohhhh how I would love love love to win the book. Thank you so much for this change.
    will share on my fb page and tweet

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  33. Always enjoy when you teach. Your love of what you do always shows through...thank you!

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  34. That would make a great Christmas gift to me. Life is short and getting much shorter to fast. I want to learn as much as possible and this would be a great challenge. You are a great teacher and I hope to win your book.

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  35. Hi Kate! Congratulations and I hope I win! ;)

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  36. Shared on my https://www.facebook.com/pages/32-Ford/506284772798613 ;)

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  37. Shared on my https://www.facebook.com/HotrodHairdresser ;)

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  38. Shared on twitter Shear Heaven

    @HotRodHairDresr ;)

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  39. Congratulations! Hard to imagine a year has gone by already!

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  40. I would love to be able to get this book and learn what you have to teach. I shared on my FB wall and my Twitter is linked to my FB. https://www.facebook.com/crystalnjr.rister/posts/373357899477776

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  41. I'd love a hard copy!! Pick me!!

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  42. I really enjoy your work, looking forward to gettin the book

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  43. Crossed fingers! I love your works and I'm just begin to learn soldering technique!
    tt (dot) barbara (at) tiscali (dot) it

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  44. I would love to win a copy, I just started metalsmithing and need all the help I can get!

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