5 comments about Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making and Beading (Teach Yourself VISUALLY Consumer).

1. I was pleased with the book on Visually Teaching Yourself. I have another one that I picked up at my craft store about a year or so ago titled "Visual Quick Tips Wire Jewelry" by Chris Franchetti Michaels. I truly enjoyed both of the books. The fact of the visuals being there to show exactly how to do things were very instrumental in correcting some mistakes I had been making.



2. This book's format is fabulous. Short of a video you will not get a better view of how to do basic jewelry making. It is well recommended even if you already know how to do these techniques because of the comprehensiveness and detail and great ideas in pictures! If you are a visually learner this book is your friend.



3. I am most certainly a beginner and I bought this book to help me with working wire to add beads to some of my stained glass items. I found the book to be helpful. Listing tools, their proper names and showing with pictures how to use them is very good. I liked the many photographs along with written directions. If I could not immediately grasp what the directions were saying, I got it with the pictures!



4. The book arrived very quickly and was a real delight. Good refresher course. The pictures along with the instruction made it very simple to follow. Well worth the money.



5. I have bought tons of books on jewelry-making, and wish I had seen this one first. As far as learning from books goes (my favorite method), this book and the Beading Answer Book are the only two I need. Of course, I still have the TYV wire book and the bead weaving one on my public wish list. I love books.
   
   The author of this book is so clear that I don't have to figure out what she's saying by actual practice, the way I do with others. The photos are the best I've ever seen. This book has chapters on design, stringing, weaving, wirework, using a jig, macrame, beginning and intermediate projects, and getting more training, even a short section on becoming a business. The resource sections are excellent.
   
   You can't go wrong with this book, you'll love it.

5 comments about Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders: Creative Wirework Projects for All Levels.

1. Very well written for jewelry makers on all levels. Excellent instructions and illustrations. I would recommend this for anyone who wants to easily add a lot of "zest" to their jewelry making projects.



2. I've been designing and creating wire wrapped bead jewelry for over five years now. Irina's book just blew me away! ALL of her designs are beautifully photographed and detailed to perfection with alternate ideas galore. Honestly, I've never seen anything like her jewelry. Fantastic! Thanks, Irina, for providing SO MUCH inspiration. I can hardly wait to get into my bead/wire stash and start creating!



3. Admission time, I bought this book because of the full page advertisement I saw in the May issue of Art Jewelry Magazine. The bracelet featured in the ad is very much my style of wire work, so I bought the entire book for one project.
   
   However, Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders by Irina Miech is so much more than one project. The book is set up as so many of these books are. It starts with wire, tools, and supplies and explanations for them. One handy thing in this section is the chart that shows the conversion of wire guage size to inches AND mm. Often when I am buying beads and need to know the hole size that will fit with the wire, the beads are given in mm while the wire is in inches. Then I have to look up the conversion each time. I am thinking I will photocopy the chart and post it on the wall for easy reference.
   
   The next section is very basic wireworking techniques needed to know to do any wirework at all. Although they are explained again in the the beginner projects, it is a good reference section for beginners to turn back to without wondering which project they saw the instructions for how to make a basic loop or a spiral.
   
   Next the book is divided into Beginner, Intermediate and then Advanced. Each project builds from the previous project. For example, the first project in the Beginner section uses basic loops to construct a necklace and earrings. The second project covers making a necklace and earrings using wrapped loops. By the end of the Beginner section, you could potentially have a full jewelry box AND a set of basic skills that results in beautiful pieces. Although I had all the basic skills down, there are some really cool ideas that I never would have thought of in that section.
   
   Intermediate starts out with instructions for 3 different Whimsical Pins and covers a wide range of projects from pendants, to rings, to creating your own findings.
   
   And guess what? That bracelet I was so entranced by? It's the 2nd to last project in the Advanced section of the book. Let's just say I skipped ahead and started on the Spiral Cuff first. However, Irina's cuff uses a variety of sizes and materials of beads in her demo cuff and I decided to do my first one in copper (cheap if I screw up!) and used all 4mm swarovski bicones. Honestly, I don't like the look of all bicones. So, I am going to cut the wire used to coil the bicones on and redo it using a variety of stuff laying around.
   
   Interestingly, I didn't like some of the advanced projects. It is mostly due to my wire wrapping style and what appeals to me asthetically. I prefer a more organic, loosey goosey look. My first foray into wire wrapping was the more rigid, almost architectural look using square wire, etc. I hated it. I still have that piece, but gave up playing with wire for a long time until I learned not all wire wrapping has to be like that.
   
   However, the fact that there are 21 projects in this book and I don't like 2 or 3 of them...is a pretty darn good deal. One of the best features is that immediately following the instructions for each individual piece is a gallery of ideas for other ways to use what you just learned. Many books have a single gallery. This book has a gallery for each and every single project. I think I got as much out of those as the original piece shown.
   
   Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders really has something for everyone: from the beginner that has never picked up a pair of chainnose or a wire cutter, to the most seasoned wire worker, this is an excellent book. There are very few wire working books that I personally love. This is one of them and I think you will love it too.



4. I am a beader and have done some wire work. This book is easy to read and well displayed with directions that are easy to follow. I too am a collector of Art/Bead design and appreciate the chance to purchase these at a reasonable price. Thank you.



5. I'm new to wirewrap jewelry, this book is great because it introduces techniques I can use in more elaborate designs.

5 comments about Beaded Allure: Beadweaving Patterns for 25 Romantic Projects.

1. Absolutely wonderful. Have made several of the necklaces. Instructions are easy to follow. A must have. Purchased two more for my friends.



2. I love this book! The pictures and projects are just beautiful. It's very delicate and romantic jewelry, my favorite! I've started on one of the projects and can hardly wait to see my finished necklace.



3. I love every project in this book. A friend discovered it in a craft magazine and wanted the item on the front. I made it and she loved it. These projects are fairly simple to make, even though they look difficult. I plan to make many more of them. I think this is the best bead project book I have purchased. The projects are all in my style. I am glad I purchased the book.



4. The designs an beadwork in this book are amazing! Instructions are very clear, but the work is very complicated and takes a lot of skill and practice. The book is great for those with some previous experience in beadwork, only because a lot of skill is required to complete each project.



5. I have ordered books before only to realize the best looking design was on the cover. This was not the case with this book. Most of the designs are beautiful inside as well. I am very pleased with this book.

5 comments about Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry.

1. There is definitely more to making good jewelry than putting beads on a string or wire. The first half of the book is detailed instructions on how to handle wire and metal in jewelry making. The tools, techniques and materials are explained and shown in good detail and color pictures. I would say it's definitely a beginners book but really necessary if you are new to handling these materials. The second half of the book is good instructions on how to use what you've learned in a variety of projects. I really like the projects and am collecting materials to make some of them. The only VERY SMALL negative is that when it shows a project the beads and findings used are pretty much up to you. I choose to do a project because I like that project and the materials used specifically. There is a resources directory in the back of the book but it would help if each project gave you what sources they used for the beads etc unique to the project. I really do like the book!



2. I like to wire wrap and the directions and photographs makes it easy to understand. Great to practice with using less expensive material other then gold or sterling.



3. I was glad to receive this book which I had wanted for quite a while.After ordering on Amazon I received the item quickly and was very pleased with the content. Good purchase.



4. I am reading all of the instructions in this book, as I am new to jewelry making, and I think there is a lot of great information here. Some of the designs are too ornate for me, as I prefer simpler jewelry pieces. Overall, I think it is a good book to have in my library even if I do not specifically make any of the pieces.



5. I'm so happy I read the reviews and decided to purchase this book - I totally agree with every glowing testimonial!

5 comments about Crystal Brilliance: Making Designer Jewelry with Crystal Beads.

1. It's over a month and I have not received this book. I've never waited this long to receive anything from amazon website, very disappointed



2. This lovely book has something for everyone who loves the brilliance of crystals. The wide range of projects allows one to choose an item that can be made in an evening or a week. Anna's instructions are clear and she surely whets one's appetite for making anything out of gorgeous crystals.
   
   K. P. Vorenberg, author of TIERRA RED



3. I purchased this book after scanning a fellow beader's copy. It is a wonderful book with very good pattern pictures. I am thinking that this book allows you to make some stunning pieces without the patterns being too scary.



4. The making of jewelry is an increasingly popular home craft. In "Crystal Brilliance: Making Designer Jewelry with Crystal Beads", professional jewelry designer Anna Elizabeth Draeger has compiled a superbly organized and presented, profusely illustrated, 80-page compendium of thirty different do-it-yourself projects utilizing the impressive brilliance and many colored hues of Swarovski crystals. The project designs range from the Classic to the Romantic, from the Geometric to the Organic. Thoroughly 'user friendly', "Crystal Brilliance: Making Designer Jewelry with Crystal Beads" will enable even the most novice jewelry maker to produce elegant pieces that suitable for any and all occasions, making it an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal and community library Crafts & Hobbies instructional resource collections.



5. The pictures were beautiful and explanation on how to make the pieces were easy to understand. The crystals are very expensive so you may want to use something less expensive until you are comfortable with directions.

5 comments about Metalworking 101 for Beaders: Create Custom Findings, Pendants & Projects (Lark Jewelry Books).

1. This book contains a generous supply of beautiful jewelry projects that are nicely photographed. It also contains an abbreviated description of necessary metalworking tools (no details on brands, models, or suppliers...), and a smattering of techniques necessary to complete the projects. This book is creatively inspiring and a fun read, but it falls down a bit in trying to include so much that there is actually insufficient detail. Since there is obviously a space limitation in each Lark book, I think this one erred a bit in the overall balance. While I suspect I can do much of what is sparingly outlined, I felt the technique description would have benefited from more detailed and WELL PHOTOGRAPHED explanations and tool descriptions. After all, if you propose to teach beginners how to do something as technical as soldering, pictures please! But, I must say this book has really inspired me to take some classes in metalworking and it was a worthwhile purchase.



2. This book was great help to learning how to make jewelry.
   I would suggest anyone who wants to understand the terms
   and techniques to read it.



3. Before I actually knew HOW to make any sort of jewelry, I was anxious to LEARN to make jewelry.
   I signed up for a local class which was held nearby. It was a two day class, and I was very excited.
   I didn't realize when I went that it was a metalworking class. I thought I would be stringing beads.
   In actuality I was learning everything which Candie Cooper teaches in this wonderful book, but without any preliminary knowledge or understanding of what I was doing at all.
   I was handed the tools and was taught the techniques without explanation.
   I am very sorry I had that experience.
   I really could have used it in a far more positive manner, slightly later in my design career.
   
   If you grasp what metalworking is, and wish to learn metalworking, on the other hand, you will be delighted to find this great book, Metalworking 101 for Beaders, in which the author, Candie Cooper, illuminates all of the questions I had at the time about the tools, the techniques, such as sawing and annealing (which I was doing, but really poorly), and the materials required. There are even some super design templates for you to use to replicate some of the projects!
   
   I have now progressed in my desire to become a jewelry designer, and I think that the level of Ms. Cooper's creativity is very exciting. I believe the reader will find, as I did, that her encouraging manner is extremely infectious, and that her designs are truly original and charming!
   
   I love the way she shows how to switch things out to give the reader more options on some of the projects as well. You will want to try out this type of jewelry making after one look through the book.
   
   The way in which she teaches is very accessible and clear. Having heard my tale of woe, you can trust me on that!
   
   The first part of the book is an extremely thorough explanation of what will be required as far as tools, techniques, examples of finishes, and so on. Great photos make this section extremely easy to "get". In my experience, bak when, I had never seen some of the tools or heard many of the terms which you will become familiar with. It is not threatening however, because when you use Metalworking 101 for Beaders, Ms. Cooper takes you step by step until you are ready to try out some of the projects.
   
   As far as the projects go, if you like "one of a kind" jewelry with an upscale look, and a unique, exotic, or flirty fascination, this book is for you!
   
   Some of the projects are charming, such as the "fanciful feathered friends"; sweet birds with really cool spiral tails which will hold the beads of your choice on.
   
   Some are elegant, such as the pomegranate and sterling colored "square bead cuff", which, if I had it, I would never take off. It is perfectly beautiful! A true incentive to trying one of the author's projects as far as I can see!
   
   Another project in Metalworking 101 for Beaders which I am especially attracted to is the "paisley interchangeable bracelet", which has a giant handmade metal paisley focal, upon which the wearer can choose any number of holes to clasp chains laden with exotic charms.
   
   This is just totally unique and gorgeous.
   
   I have to mention the chic "domed earrings and ring" as well. What a wonderful, versatile project!
   
   If you have an interest in metalworking but don't know where to start, this is really the place.
   
   
   With thirty great projects, advice and tips, and little sketches by the author to further help the reader understand the process of creativity and design, there is no way a person can get lost using this book.
   
   Metalworking 101 for Beaders, by the wonderful, accomplished Candie Cooper, is a terrific find for your jewelry library!



4. Good overview of materials needed to begin metalwork. Great photos of project pieces. Fair instructions in the making of the items. Directions were a bit too truncated for a rank beginner to aspire to make any of the projects.
   
   The sections on how to create headpins, clasps and beadcaps- the reason why I purchased the book were too short, but it is a visually appealing book.



5. I have not tried any of the projects as yet. Love the projects! I think I will get alot of use out of this book. Looks very informative.

5 comments about Laura McCabe's Embellished Beadweaving: Jewelry Lavished with Fringe, Fronds, Lacework & More (Beadweaving Master Class (Lark Books)).

1. I love Laura McCabe's work and this is the second book of hers that I own. Clear instructions, excellent illustrations, great photos. It is a gem!



2. Great book with exciting ideas/designs. Good for experienced and intermediate beaders and great inspiration for beginners. Really easy to read and understand directions and uses easy stitches.



3. This book draws the reader in instantly. Just one glimpse of the fabulous necklace on the cover will lead to the delightful realization that a master of jewelry design is at work. Laura McCabe is famous for her beadweaving, and rightly so. The reader can clearly see the whole intention of a piece of jewelry which she has designed, through her beadweaving skills. At the same time it is obvious how her choice of embellishments specific to each piece add a sort of remarkable brilliance and depth to her designs. If you are new to beadweaving, have no qualms. The book begins with an introduction which explains the point of embellishment. The author knows that if you embellish your beadwork with further beads, you reach another level. Beads are empowering in more ways than one, and she notes many of the purposes of wearing or carrying beads. Then the question is asked, "How do we use these beads to their best advantage, to make ourselves beautiful and add fanciful details to our world?" She answers her own question by revealing the point of this book: to "provide the knowledge and inspiration to take your beadwork to the next level by embellishing beads with yet more beads..." I particularly like the freedom this book imparts in the introduction by Ms.McCabe.
   As she says, "Although I give you step by step instructions, don't feel you have to reproduce the projects in this book exactly; instead, use them as basic building blocks for your own embellished forms. I genuinely hope you'll take what you learn here and apply it liberally to your own creative endeavors." This quote marks an exciting and challenging beginning to what is a super fun and educational journey into the world of embellished beadweaving. Chapter One is a succinct commentary on beads through history. The beautiful photographs of both antique and vintage beaded items such as purses and Victorian beaded wrist warmers counterpoint the author's own modern offerings. She seems to possess an ability to soar in her designs the way the master painters do in their paintings. It adds a third dimension to appreciation of art within jewelry design, to my mind.
   Chapter Two contains a nicely laid out list of items required for the basic beader's kit. If you want to make this sort of jewelry, this is what you need to have at the ready. I found this very illuminating, as the author took the time to explain why she chooses certain products over others.
   Chapter Three is devoted to the basic stitches and techniques. This is great! I assure you that all is well explained, and here you will garner the understanding of the stitches which you will need to build your embellishments upon. This chapter contains nice clear graphics which are easy to grasp, even for a beginner.
   Chapter Four is a Comprehensive Guide to Embellishments. This is really fun! The author's intention is to take the reader, step by step,through organically inspired embellishment forms. She exudes a femininity and sensuality in her work which is hers alone. The reader will sense this, viewing how to make basic buds, berry clusters, and basic beaded leaves, among other embellishments.
   Then get your socks knocked off by her phenomenally creative and unique creation, "Eyeball Creature". It is great to see a fantastic piece like this to encourage your own creativity.
   I want something like this for myself! So, how to obtain this sort of creation? Keep on learning, using this book, Embellished Beadweaving, as your mentor and guide.
   The designs which are shown in this chapter may make you say "Wow!" out loud. I am certain you will not be frightened off by the loveliness and ingenuity of Ms. McCabe's well photographed pieces. Quite the opposite. With the solid graphic drawings and explanations backing you up, you will be eager to continue learning.
   Chapter Five is entitled Approaching Color and Design. Early on, in this lovely book, it is clear that one of Ms. McCabe's finest talents is her appreciation of the beauty of color and its balance within a design. She discusses where her inspiration comes from: items such as weeds and berries from nature, items from the past, and even old National Geographic Magazines. She explains why woven beadwork holds such an appeal to her in this chapter. For one thing, she states that she wishes to "channel the feel or emotions conveyed by the object [which she has been inspired by] to create a fantasy world version of the real-world piece.
   I cannot think of a more wonderful way of approaching jewelry design!
   Chapter 6 is called The Projects. Here is where you beadweave and embellish, utilizing your newly found knowledge. There are delightful earrings offered, a Rosebud Ring I particularly love, and a fabulous matching Rosebud Bracelet which almost made me faint with delight when I got to that page. There are necklaces such as the Cherry Blossom Pendant Necklace, an unexpected surprise in a colorway of teals and gold, employing peyote stitch, beaded beads, Czech glass spacer beads, and pearls with Ndeble; well worth the effort, I have to say, if you try it! There is a great Eyeflower Pendant Necklace for you to try. All the projects are wonderful.
   I enjoy the fact that she beads her own toggles with great frequency. It is a wonderful added uniting touch to this sort of embellished beadweaving. When I got to the gallery, my breath was taken away. Nothing but the best from her friends. An awe inspiring collection to finish an awe inspiring yet easy to use book, by a truly great teacher who honestly and openly displays to her readers her true love of beads on every page. If you love beads too, owning this book, Embellished Beadweaving by Laura McCabe, will be well worth the investment.



4. I like most of Laura's beadwork(not into the eyeballs) and her crystal book, but if you are already familiar with her body of work there is really nothing new here, even for eye candy. You can figure out the embellishing techniques by looking at the photos you've already seen.



5. First, I must qualify that I'm a true die-hard Laura McCabe fan. As a beginner to low-intermediate beader, I had the incredible good fortune to be able to take her Keshi Pearl Necklace class a year or two ago. I learned so much in that one class that I have been hooked for good on beading, and when I completed that necklace I definitely improved my skills to a higher level. Don't be afraid to try something new and more challenging - that's how we get better.
   
   I think Laura has wonderful talent, skills, and knowledge. She's also very good at writing explanations and training. She inspires me to attempt new things and to 'think out of the box'. If you make one of her designs, you will definitely get notice when others see it!
   
   Even if you don't want to make/wear personally some of the pieces in this book, the skills you learn studying these techniques can be applied to other beading projects you attempt. Besides the techniques and projects, I especially like seeing how she looks at things around her to get ideas and colors. And even though I've already been dabbling at beading for several years and have completed many of her projects, I still learned some new techniques in this book. The instructions for the various components can be generalized to fit your own projects and ideas. And, of course, the gallery of works from other master artists was wonderful!
   
   Like some of the other reviewers, I'd say this is generally intermediate to advanced level. But don't let that scare you - it's a wonderful book.

5 comments about The Beading Answer Book.

1. This was a gift for my sister who is learning beading. She is delighted with it! This will give her the know how to create and finish professionally her jewelry.



2. Nice book to have on hand when you need a quick answer to one of your beading problems. It's small enough to drop into your bag to take along when traveling.



3. I'm a newbie to jewelry making, but have read several of the top-rated books on Amazon about it. "The Beading Answer Book" holds a lot of information in a small package (small enough to carry in a purse or bag). Morris answers many of the questions I had after reading the other books. The author has a background in repairing beaded jewelry, and several of the tips she gives are very useful for making more durable pieces.
   
   One small annoyance: neither the written explanation or the (one) drawing of a figure-eight knot is enough for me to understand how to do it!



4. This book is great. It offers a lot of ideas and answers a lot of questions about beading.



5. This little book is truly amazing. It has answered every question I've had since I received it, and I've got lots of questions. I'm a relative beginner, but I think experienced beaders would get something from it too. What a GREAT little 430-page reference book! Cheap, too! Buy it! You'll be glad you did.

5 comments about 200 Beading Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets: An Indispensable Compendium of Technical Know-How and Troubleshooting Tips (200 Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets).

1. I love this book! The author covers tools, design and color (though I would have liked more extensive coverage of these two subjects), stringing, wirework, and beadweaving. I am mostly a beadweaver,and appreciated the tips and the step-by-step, close-up photos of beadweaving stitches. She covers ladder, brick, herringbone, peyote, and square stitches, as well as right angle weave, tubular beadwork, spiral rope, chains, and how to finish your beadwork. The layout breaks up the text into easy to read sections, with, for example, small boxes for "See Also" and "Fix It" (troubleshooting). I can see myself going back to this book repeatedly.



2. I have lots of beading books but enjoyed reading this one very much. It is very comprehensive and easy to follow, and there a lots of tips, even for experienced beaders.



3. This is by far the best beading book I have ever purchased. This is an excellant book for beginners. Full of tip, and techniques. The picture are great.



4. Wonderful book for the novice and beyond. It covers stringing, wirework, and beading, along with an extensive "getting started" section. I love the photos,they are absolutely beautiful and plentiful with lots of close-ups throughout. The info concise and clear. I have been trying to self teach myself bead stitches, and using other books and magazines, have been unable. I think with this book, I will be successful.
   
   I highly recommend this book. It is a great learning and reference tool. The size is a bit smaller than other books, but it is jam-packed.



5. This book is wonderful. My wife and I both do beading. It includes the basics and advanced techniques in a manner that is easy to read and understand. It will be the new "go to" book that we'll be using frequently. I highly recommend this reference to beginners and experts and anyone in between.

5 comments about Chain Style: 50 Contemporary Jewelry Designs.

1. This book really stands out in a sea of other jewelry making books and is I think one of the best. Definitely the best I've seen.
   
   It is a great reference book that shows pictures of the various types of chains, with their names. This is really helpful and I find myself going back to it over and over again.
   
   It lists the tools of the trade -- their pictures, names, and what they are used for. I'd been very frustrated at not being able to find out how to do a couple of specific tasks with wire because I did not have the correct pliers and kept getting terrible results on my own. This book enlightened me as to the necessary pliers for the job! Yeah! Unfortunately, it does not say WHERE to buy these lovely tools! That is my only complaint with the book and why I did not give it a full 5 stars. There is a list of resources in the back, but the book does not tell the reader which one of these many places these great pliers that are pictured in the book can be purchased from.
   
   This book also gives basic how to procedures, including great up close photos, on making loops of all kinds, coiling, jump rings, links, hooks, etc. You can clearly see exactly how to do them up close and personal.
   
   After the initial general information about chains, wire, techniques and tools, the book features 50 fabulous pieces of jewelry by different artists, each with its own 2-page spread that shows a great picture, the materials needed, and step-by-step instructions. Superbly done! The designs are fresh, incredibly creative and appealing and very inspiring!
   
   What I'd like to see added to this book in future revisions: a few pictures of the artists actual workshops and their personal studio set-ups, and as already mentioned, where to get the fabulous tools pictured and described in the book. I need to know brand names and online sources so I don't get more junk tools!
   
   I've checked out boatloads of this kind of book from the library, but this is the first one I've considered adding to my library.



2. I got this book today, and the contemporary style is just what I was looking for. I am new to jewelry making, but I would love to make some or all of these designs, with my own adaptations. It is one of the best books I have gotten so far.



3. I love this book! it is a little difficult to find the resources since they are so specific (although they do give you locations to buy in the back), but it is easy to make your own jewelry of these great ideas!



4. I have found this book very interesting and informative. There are some very good projects that seem good for beginners and those that have been doing it for awhile.



5. This is a very creative and motivating book. I would recommend it for beginners, but also for intermediates looking for inspiration in their own work.