5 comments about Perfect Match: Earring Designs For Every Occasion.

1. this book is full of color photos and very good instuctions. Since I am a beginer this book provides step by step photos on how to create wire loops and making hoop earrings and much more. For the price you can't beat it.



2. Lovely simplicity...Need I say more? Yes, hope this author creates another book or even a DVD!



3. Very well-conceived book. Ideal for beginners who need design ideas. Photo presentation is excellent as well.



4. I bought this book for myself and a friend and we LOVE it. The pictures are beautiful and the directions are clear and understandable. More importantly, the earring desgins are modern and gift-worthy. Well worth the money and a must have for all jewelry makers!



5. I just love this book. It has wonderful designs. Two designs in particular - the "around the world" kyanite earrings, and the "fireworks in aqua and mocha" wire and crystals earrings are really unique and inspiring. The "dim sum" earrings are also striking. I would wear pretty much all the earrings in this book. Delightful presentation and yummy photos. If you need some simple earring inspiration - THIS IS THE BOOK. Hope the author publishes another book, with more advanced unique designs.

5 comments about Bead & Wire Art Jewelry: Techniques & Designs for all Skill Levels.

1. I purchased this book after looking through it at a crafts store and think it is just great. There are a lot of 'do-able' projects for the beginner to advanced level. The book contains basic fundamentals to get you started on the beginning to intermediate level, and clear photographs of all the projects. It does not spoon feed step by step instruction beyond that. Some reviewers have disagreed with this, they want the step by step. However, once you have mastered the basics of wire work much more instruction isn't really needed. Many pieces can be figured out by the photos alone. The value of this book lies in the inspiration it provides you, the wire artist, to look beyond someone elses work and become original with your own pieces.



2. This book seems to want to be a beginner's guide to bead and wire art. It doesn't come close to achieving that goal.
   
   If you are a bead and wirework novice (like me) do not purchase this book. Wait until you have picked up a few skills, and have a few projects under your belt. Then reconsider this book.
   
   The book starts out with tools needed to use this book. If you are a novice, this section makes a nice "to buy" list, but does not go into details like what each tool is used for or whether you really need it at all. For example, it would list "round nose pliers" with a picture of a round nose plier. Another example: it would list a "wire twisting machine" with a picture of a wire twisting machine. No discussion of relative merits of the tools, or brands, or any of that helpful stuff.
   
   The book then has roughly 30 pages of "how to" instructions. How to create a loop, how to wrap a bead, how to make a chain, how to make a toggle clasp, etcetera etcetera.
   
   The instructions are very very adequate. For example, a nine step instruction for something will only have four steps illustrated. And the illustrations will be of the first two and the last two steps, not the complicated stuff in between. And that's in the "how to" section, not the "project" section! Not helpful.
   
   The pictures that are illustrated, are not well thought out. If the instructions indicate that a wire must be twisted so that it loops around itself (picture an "O" with a line across the top), the illustration will be a Microsoft Paint version of a circle, with a Microsoft Paint version of a line on top of it. It WILL NOT show the loop, or any indication that the wire is of one piece, wrapped around itself. It will look like two seperate wires. This sucks for a beginner. Not helpful.
   
   FYI -- None of the projects require a knowledge of soldering. It's all bead stringing and bead wrapping.
   
   The projects are all rated by difficulty -- "Easy", "Intermediate", "Advanced". This is good. Helpful.
   
   The pictures of the project are nice (in a shopping sort of way, not in a learning to make it sort of a way). Cute but not helpful.
   
   Each project has a list of tools needed to do the job. Most seem fairly simple -- pliers, beads, wire, wire cutter. Some projects require things like jigs and wire twisters and jewelry holders (if you want to braid the wire, there is a machine that holds onto the other end that the author recommends you buy). She also recommends you have an anvil, a hammer, and a hammering block. All good, but if you're going to tell people to buy a pile of stuff, knowing a little more about the pile of stuff would help, if not anything else to know how to shop for it. At least in a book ostensibly geared toward - not just beginners - but novices.
   
   A "for example" that is NOT in the book and I feel should be: Why a hammer and hammering block? To work harden the jewelry. What does work harden mean? Well, wire is very pliable. Work hardening strengthens it and makes it less bendy. The process can also add texture to a piece. Caution: do not over hammer, or the wire will break.
   
   Another "for example" that would help in a beginner's book: what type of wire to buy. (This is also not in the book, but I feel it should be). The book merely instructs that "18G wire" should be purchased. It does not indicate - well, what does "G" mean? Gauge. What is gauge? How wire is sold, based on numbers by American Society of Something or Other. The larger the number, the smaller and more bendy the wire. What type of wire -- copper? silver? brass? gold? Does it make a difference? How? Why?
   
   All these questions remain unanswered in this book. For a true beginner's guide, purchase "Creating Wire and Beaded Jewelry: Over 35 beautiful projects using wire and beads" by Linda Jones, Paperback $13.59 and "Getting Started Making Wire Jewelry and More (Getting Started series)" by Linda Chandler, Hardcover, $11.53. Both are available on Amazon. I purchased both for that hard core beginner's guide to beading and wirework.
   
   Nice things I have to say about this book:
   
   The projects make you want to buy this book. They are lovely, and would be fun to make and wear. They are in the trendy style of the bracelet on the cover. They are creative, but not artsy. They look like jewelry you could wear to work as a professional. Some of the styles even an attorney could get away with in the office, though maybe not in the courtroom. None of that awful big multicolored wire flower garbage, or beads strung on a wire and twisted into a spangled mess with feathers.
   
   Final verdict: If you are a novice or a beginner, definitely do not buy this book. Consider the books I suggested above. If you are an intermediate or advanced beader/wire worker, consider this book for its nice projects. At that level, holes in instructions and crappy pictures mean less, it's the project ideas themselves that have value.



3. I have been a beader for a long time, and I have always wanted to try wirework. However, many books looked too simplistic, or chunky, or had too much wire coils for my taste. I finally saw this book in a store, and bought it on the spot, along with the materials needed to get started. I love the variety of projects, and the differing skills levels in the book. I definitely reccomend this book.



4. I found this book to contain a lovely selection of projects. There's something for everyone's style, as well as their skill level in creating it. The instructions are good, but not spectacular, and that's why it got 4 stars from me instead of 5. But basically, this book has broad appeal with it's great jewelry and terrific photos.



5. I like to look at this book to spark my creativity... While there aren't a lot of original ideas... it is a nice way to get my ideas flowing...

5 comments about Celtic Knots for Beaded Jewellery.

1. An entirely usable book, with enough projects to get you started in knotting but not so many as to be overwhelming. The illustrations are clear and, as far as I can tell, complete. I tried a couple of button knots to get the hang of it and then made a Celtic cross necklace with button knots and slider knots as my first project. (It wasn't quick, but it all worked!)
   
   I recommend starting with nylon (not rayon) rattail. (I have found satincord.com to be a reliable supplier.) Nylon is prettier than it sounds, and it's easier to handle. If you prefer rayon rattail or silk cord, you can move on to using them after your fingers are adept at holding the loops.
   
   A previous reviewer mentions using a large pin to move button knots to a desired position; I agree with this method. Just tie a few for practice and to understand the structure, and then you can learn to position them.
   
   Knotted jewelry is perfect for large beads, pendants, and odd jewelry findings you may not find another good use for. I am going to make knotted keepsakes for my family from the beads in my late aunt's costume jewelry box.
   
   This is a lovely book and the small number of projects is not a limitation; it's easy to see how to combine the techniques to make many more styles. I am ordering the same author's "Chinese Knots" today.



2. This is one of the book about the subject that have captivated my imagination. The graphic explanation and the differents examples make this book one of the best product of this type on the market. Satisfaction guaranteed.



3. Very nice, original designs. Even better? Besides making them for personal use, the author will let you reproduce them for charity purposes! Can't wait to get started on some of these projects!



4. Suzen Millodot's books on knotting intrigued me first because of the gorgeous knots on her website promoting the Chinese Knots for Bead Jewellry.
   The books, both of them, more then lived up to my expectations, the illustrations are gorgeous, and the knots are both illustrated and photographed well to show how they go together.
   The intricacy of the knots makes them seem a lot more difficult then they are following the instructions.
   I loaned the books to my eldest child who hasn't really ever tied knots before and within a few minutes he was tying himself a Turk's Head knot bracelet.
   Gorgeous books, I highly recommend both of them.



5. Outstanding color photos and diagrams. Easy to see how to adapt for other crafts than jewellery.

5 comments about Beading with Cabochons: Simple Techniques for Beautiful Jewelry.

1. I have been beading for many years, but I have never tried beading with cabochons before. This was the perfect book to pick up and learn. The author goes through every step thoroughly and with color photographs, with a chapter on each possible part to embellish. The one thing I think buyers should be aware of is that all her designs use a backing that you stitch beads onto. However, that was not a deterent to me at all, and I can't wait to get my hands on some cabochons to try out these beautiful designs! I think the cab designs that she gives will greatly enhance my jewelry and give me a completely new skill to use.



2. Wow, this is a wonderful book of how to...from start to finish you will have all that you need at your fingertips. This book was sugested as a go-along with the book I was set on buying and I think it was great advice to have both. The directions are clear and step by step. The projects are fundamental and easy to build on. Once you do the different stitches, you are all set to make your work personal and as elaborate as you desire. There are loads of pictures all through the book as you are guided to do edge finishes and fringes and even necklace attachments. I am a novice 'seed-beader' and have acquired a lot of confidence from this book "Beading with Cabochons" and am now working on an elaborate project.



3. Love this book! It is by far the best book that explains step by step on how to construct your bead embroidery jewelry creations. Fabulous book!



4. There is no praise high enough for this book! I made a flawless, beautiful cabochon necklace on the first try using this book, a necklace of quality good enough to gift or sell. And!! As if the book itself were not a good enough bargain, I emailed Ms. Eakin with a question, and received a very instructive reply. A nice person who knows her field, is willing to share what she knows -- and has. I wish her much success, and for the rest of us, I hope she writes another book!



5. I bought this book to satisfy my curiosity about the beautiful piece on the cover. Little did I know how many other beautiful pieces were inside. It did not take me long to learn the techniques for creating my own pieces. Six cabochons later I'm thrilled that I bought and read this book

5 comments about Seed Bead Stitching: Creative Variations on Traditional Techniques.

1. This is a very creative book by a very gifted artist. Very detailed instructions. I really like it better than most beading books.



2. This happened to be the first seed bead book I bought, and though I've collected a few others, it remains my favorite. The instructions are clear, the illustrations are excellent, and the project ideas are inspiring (and do-able). My favorite: The spiral stitch -- see the design shown on the cover in Crayola-like colors. It was not only fun to make, but came out exactly as shown. The book is organized in a way that makes sense: after an overview of the materials you will need, there is a chapter devoted to each stitch (with variations). It's full of pretty things you'd actually like to make. (Please note this is seed bead stitching - there is no loom work.)



3. Want to learn how to properly use seed beads for designs that can be uniquely yours - GET THIS BOOK FIRST. Learn the patterns and yes, even like this author (including myself) you may want to throw your early attempts across the room. But keep at it. Once you master even a few basic stitches through the author's guidance and your determination, I am certain all can readily design their own works of seed bead art. The only factor about this book that I would have liked to see is a few more schematic sketches of the next few rows of beading. However, follow the rules and then create. Other beading projects including cabachon beading first involve the basic stitches - and this book is the best in my library of numerous seed beading books.



4. I LOVE this book!!! She explains the technique for stitches in a manner that is easy to understand, unlike any other instructions I've ever encountered. After reading her instructions, I have been able to do stitches that I haven't been able to do reading other people's instructions.



5. I have owned this book for a couple months. I love this book and highly recommend it for the beading addicted. The text is informative and full of inspiring advice and beading tips. The projects are well-presented and contain additional ideas on variations which encourages the timid to go outside the box. I really like how simple the instructions are for some of the stitches.
   
   As one reviewer has stated, it would be nice if additional steps were pictured for some of the stitches. I have not yet tried in earnest to do the diagonal right angle weave for that reason. I will attempt it when I have a large block of child-free time. But I have successfully made several bracelets and necklaces using the brick, peyote, tri, and quad stitch techniques. These were immensely satisfying to work and complete.
   
   Because of the friendly text, good instructions and great pictures, I rate this book as excellent. It is a well-used book in my beading library.

5 comments about All Wired Up: Wire Techniques for the Beadworker and Jewelry Maker (Beadwork How-To series).

1. Lareau's engaging, clear writing coupled with varied projects can give the beginner a solid start in wire work. It covers basic wire techniques, wraps (donut, bead and cabochon), cages, and findings (bails, headpins, ear wires, clasps). His book shows techniques through line-art drawings and has little in the way of eye candy until the gallery at the end.



2. I like this book. The author put a lot of work into making the instructions as clear as possible. I like the way he starts with the basics which allows for practice and then goes into more complicated projects (but always referring back to the basics when appropriate).



3. I'm really surprised to see how many positive reviews this book has gathered. Due to this I ordered my own copy as well as Bead on A Wire by Sharilyn Miller. The two can't even begin to be compared but I'll try. All Wired Up just lacks in good photos to show techniques, the drawings are small. There are only about 5 glossy pictures at the end of the book for inspiration pieces but none for projects. I'm very disappointed in this book. However Bead on A Wire is an exceptional teaching and inspiring book, with enlarged, color photos of every aspect of learning to work with wire. The projects are just beautiful and doable. I'm a beginner but sure Sharilyn Miller's book can accomodate all levels. So glad I purchased this and will return All Wired Up.



4. I took the class 'All Wired Up' and the book reflects not only his teaching style but the animation with which he shares these wonderful techniques and projects. Go for it! Buy the book and start creating!



5. I've heard so much hype recently about wire jewelry, I just had to research it. So, I checked out all the books from my local libraries on wire jewelry making and this book was the best one, so I bought it from Amazon.com. The instructions are easy to understand and the pictures are great. Just a fun book to browse through.

5 comments about Hemp Masters: Ancient Hippie Secrets for Knotting Hip Hemp Jewelry.

1. I love this book so much! I've been hemping for a couple years, but nothing beyond the basic square and spiral knots with some beads (which is all that many books include). literally within minutes I had learned all kinds of new techniques and was well on my way through the book with lot of cool new jewelry. easy to understand directions, nice pictures, great for inspiration, and fun! best hemping book i've seen so far, and I have definitely owned a few. I would also reccommend the second book for even more advanced techniques and bigger projects!



2. A Great book for those wanting to learn how to tie hemp. It gives a visual instuction and a literal instruction on most of the knots so it's very hard to get confused. If you enjoy making jewlery, this is the book for you.



3. Had it, loved it, lost it and now buying it again. This is a great starter book because of its detailed and easy to read drawings & pictures and written instructions.
   
   The book itself is well made and duarble too so while you have one foot and two hands busy with tying you can use the other free foot to hold down pages and not worry about ripping the book apart. Hitch , half-hitch , Phishbone, tips on gluing (get rubber cement), how to measure length, add more cord if you run short...it's all here.
   
   My only advice is to get a sturdy cork board and some T-pins so you can pin your work to the cork board as you're weaving. I'm getting too old to hook the macrame cord around my toes.
   
   Cork boards are cheap at wal-mart and you can take a magic marker and a ruler and mark the board in one inch increments so you can eyeball length as you're working. The boards are only about an inch thick so the trick with the T-pins is to stick them in at a 45 Degree angle for a good solid ground(w/o punching thorugh the back of the board). And when you're not using it you can put it up on the wall and stick memos to it like the manufacturer intended. ;)



4. If you're beginning then this is a great book for you, and if you're experienced, its a great book for ideas. I love it.



5. There were tips that weren't in the other macrame books. Bunk hemp would be an example and how to get stubborn beads onto the lead (think rubber cement). Good descriptions. Ok pictures.

5 comments about Getting Started Stringing Beads (Getting Started series).

1. This is a great book for learning good techniques for selecting and stringing beads, with comprehensive instructions on all the basics including stringing, crimping, knotting, wireworking and much, much more. Also includes lots of great projects with full instructions. Follow the steps and finish up with a wonderful piece of jewellery that you can wear with pride or give to someone as a lovely gift. This is a small book, but packed with information. I love it! I'm a much older beginner to beading and have found it invaluable.



2. I bought this book for my daughter who has been teaching herself to make bead jewelry. This is a good beginner book; it describes tools, techniques and gives nice examples of jewelry to make. I would recommend it.



3. I'm no professional beader. But I do enjoy creating beautiful jewelry to give as gifts. As a busy businesswoman, I've found that my hand-made gifts mean more to my friends than store-purchased, since my time is probably my most valuable commodity.
   
   Anyway, I probably own a dozen beading books. But this book is the one I use whenever I need to go back and refer to something. Besides good descriptions, the photos help me a lot - I guess I'm a visual learner. ;o) The pieces illustrated are basic but classic - very much my style.



4. On the surface of it, an ultra-simple, ultra-plain beading book sounds like a fine idea. After all, there's so much you can learn that it can be extremely daunting to the beginner. A simple introductory book is less threatening. And in large part, this works in Jean Campbell's Getting Started Stringing Beads. Unfortunately, beading is a complex hobby, and there's no good way to get around that, particularly if you want to cover all the bases. Going with simple inevitably means leaving things out that you really shouldn't. While the basic information and projects are certainly useful, I didn't end up feeling as though I'd gotten all that far into what I needed to know---and didn't feel ready to tackle the complex virtual aisles of an online beading catalog.
   
   Best for dabblers or for people who get easily overwhelmed when learning a new craft---probably perfect for those folks.



5. This is a great book. I was totally new at stringing beads, and knowing which tools I needed to purchase to begin making my own jewelry. This book has wonderful illustrations to walk one through a project. I made my shopping list, and have made two 3-piece sets of jewelry using tips from this very informative book.

5 comments about Simply Beautiful Beaded Jewelry.

1. This book follows Heidi's Simply Beautiful Beading but it stands on its own by showing techniques to make the projects shown. There are well-defined photographs of necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and fashion accessories. None of the projects are particularly difficult to make once you know the basic techniques, briefly shown at the front of the book.



2. This book has many beautiful projects. It is one of the top two books in my large collection.



3. I'm still sort of a beginner when it comes to beading so I'm still in the market for good "how to" books. I love this one, have read it cover to cover more than once and it's always on my project table. The projects are gorgeous, the author is interesting and easy to follow and the pictures and step-by-step guidelines are clear and concise. My ONLY complaint is that in the instructions she does not include how many beads of each kind are required for each project, so you have to guesstimate when purchasing them. The only reason I mention this is that other books have this information and it's helpful in planning and costing out projects. Other than that I highly recommend it and prefer it over her first book in the same series.



4. Alot of interesting patterns and good instructions to complete them. Bought this book and the other one that she wrote on beading as well, on the reccomendation of the other reviewers.



5. Simply Beautiful Beaded Jewelry
   
   Whether you're a novice beader or more experienced, you'll find Heidi Boyd's beautiful book chock full of projects with capital E eye appeal. Got 30 minutes? Try her pearl earrings on page 77. What could be simpler or more elegant than triple peacock pearls dangling from a sterling silver spring leverback wire.
   
   Boyd's book lists fifty necklace, bracelet, earring and accessory projects with full color photos, a parts list and instructions. The parts list does not give exact bead quantities, but it's easy to count the beads from the photo, plus this gives the artist license to make her own changes.
   
   Different techniques are used for many of the projects. For example, the bracelet section covers strung beads, linked or wired beads and stretchy band construction.
   
   A foreward to the projects covers Getting Started with pages devoted to types of beads, stringing materials, findings, tools and materials and techniques. A brief Resource List and back index complete the book.
   
   Recommended.

5 comments about Simply Beautiful Beading.

1. I found the projects very easy to understand and even embellish if I want to change it somewhat. Also, there are both jewelry and decorative things to make that aren't too "much" that you just wouldn't use them or give them as presents. Some reviewers said this is a beginners book, which it is, but even an experienced beader can use these projects if they're good beaders. There were many more things I will make then I won't which doesn't happen all the time. I also liked the resources in the back that a lot a authors don't put in and I have had a hard time finding some materials.



2. These projects are beautiful and a snap for people with a little experience. The pictures and instructions are clear and easy to understand.



3. This really has something for everyone. Beautiful photos and good instruction. I use it constantly for ideas as well as doing some of the projects inside



4. I have not been beading for very long, but the projects in this book seem more for kids than adults. On the plus side, there is good information on tools and materials and instuctions are easy to follow with good photos. On the down side, of the 53 projects there are only 3 or 4 that I would actually make and a whole lot (30%+) that would appeal only to pre-teens. Factor in another 25-30% for "home accents" and "accessories" (candle decorations, napkin holders, etc.) and there isn't much left if you are interested, as I am, in jewelry.



5. Magazines like this are a great aid to the beginner in beading. The explanations are clear and easy to understand. It has helped a great deal.