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Simply Pearls: Designs for Creating Perfect Pearl Jewelry
Whether you prefer a classic single strand or a funky combination of pearls and semi-precious materials, Simply Pearls shows you how to create necklaces that are easy to make yet look both expensive and professionally made. No longer the extravagance they used to be, pearls come in a variety of types—from freshwater to faux—that make these beautiful gems an affordable and elegant option.
With projects designed for beginners and intermediate crafters—with a few more challenging designs for good measure— Simply Pearls is a volume that people will consult again and again for basic stringing, knotting, and wire-work techniques; to find inspiration and project ideas, including tips on refreshing heirloom jewelry; and as a materials reference. Whether your look is modern and edgy or classic Chanel, Simply Pearls offers great how-to-wear-it ideas and beautiful projects that will give you the Tiffany’s look at Target prices.
With projects designed for beginners and intermediate crafters—with a few more challenging designs for good measure— Simply Pearls is a volume that people will consult again and again for basic stringing, knotting, and wire-work techniques; to find inspiration and project ideas, including tips on refreshing heirloom jewelry; and as a materials reference. Whether your look is modern and edgy or classic Chanel, Simply Pearls offers great how-to-wear-it ideas and beautiful projects that will give you the Tiffany’s look at Target prices.
144 pages, Paperback
First published August 29, 2006
20 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 22, 2013
Crafts. Necklaces, bracelets, and earrings made with pearls. Most of the designs in this book use cultured pearls rather than faux pearls, and none of them are overwhelmed by heavy use of crystals or gemstones. The pearls are always the centerpiece.
The instructions are kind of casual, but the book gets away with it because most of these projects involve nothing more complicated than bead stringing or wire wrapping; there's no bead weaving at all, and only a little pearl knotting. The techniques needed are covered thoroughly in the back of the book, and the instructions casually refer to the page number when instructing you to do something.
I actually like how breezy the instructions are. They make it seem like even a beginner can do this, and because they aren't strict—and many even encourage random placement of elements—it leaves room for experimentation. I liked a lot of the designs and felt like I could easily adjust them to fit my taste without any trouble at all. In fact, the author refers to the instructions as "recipes" and encourages readers to change colors and materials to suit them. Alden also talks specifically about how to match pearls with gemstones and gives helpful designing advice for making your own pieces.
Each project clearly lists what materials are needed and has a nice description of the aesthetics of the piece. Unfortunately, none of the photographs accompany the actual instructions. The photos are grouped together, usually several pages away, which is awkward. They also fail to give you a sense of the piece's dimensions, as there's nothing in the shot to establish scale.
The placement of photos is my biggest complaint with the book, though, and I think with its sections on techniques and materials this would make a great resource.
The index is even clever. Arranged by necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, each entry has a little photo of the piece so you can find exactly what you're looking for.
5 stars. I might have to buy this one.
The instructions are kind of casual, but the book gets away with it because most of these projects involve nothing more complicated than bead stringing or wire wrapping; there's no bead weaving at all, and only a little pearl knotting. The techniques needed are covered thoroughly in the back of the book, and the instructions casually refer to the page number when instructing you to do something.
I actually like how breezy the instructions are. They make it seem like even a beginner can do this, and because they aren't strict—and many even encourage random placement of elements—it leaves room for experimentation. I liked a lot of the designs and felt like I could easily adjust them to fit my taste without any trouble at all. In fact, the author refers to the instructions as "recipes" and encourages readers to change colors and materials to suit them. Alden also talks specifically about how to match pearls with gemstones and gives helpful designing advice for making your own pieces.
Each project clearly lists what materials are needed and has a nice description of the aesthetics of the piece. Unfortunately, none of the photographs accompany the actual instructions. The photos are grouped together, usually several pages away, which is awkward. They also fail to give you a sense of the piece's dimensions, as there's nothing in the shot to establish scale.
The placement of photos is my biggest complaint with the book, though, and I think with its sections on techniques and materials this would make a great resource.
The index is even clever. Arranged by necklaces, bracelets, and earrings, each entry has a little photo of the piece so you can find exactly what you're looking for.
5 stars. I might have to buy this one.
May 19, 2007
Pearls are unique in the gem world in that they are made by living creatures rather than being mined from the earth. When an irritant is introduced (accidentally or intentionally in the case of cultured pearls) into a shellfish like a mollusk. In order to better tolerate the irritant, the mollusk coats the pearl with layers of a hard, smooth substance called nacre (rhymes with "acre") that mollusks have coating their shells--these shells are commonly known as mother-of-pearl.
Due to the nature of their creation high quality, round pearls can be pricy when shopping at a jewelry store. Paying a lot for pearls, however, is nothing new. Pearls have been considered elite jewels since ancient times. Cleopatra is rumored to have dissolved a priceless pearl in wine and drank it to illustrate Egypt's wealth to Mark Anthony. That anecdote is a favorite of Nancy Alden in her jewelry-making book Simply Pearls.
Alden begins her guide with an introduction detailing how pearls are created and how the cultured pearl industry in China has made pearls available at much lower prices for jewelry makers all over the world.
Even if you can't afford to work with pearls, this book provides clear instructions for basic jewelry making techniques such as stringing necklaces and working with head pins to make earrings. The book is also packed with exquisite pictures that will, if nothing else, serve as excellent eye candy and inspiration for the jewelry maker in you.
While Alden makes a point of emphasizing that pearls deserve respect and should be combined with quality materials, many of her designs could be adapted to use regular glass beads and base metal materials. The designs range from a simple beaded strand of pearls to a necklace simply known as "A lot of work--but worth it!" These varying designs even offer some interesting projects for advanced beaders.
Due to the nature of their creation high quality, round pearls can be pricy when shopping at a jewelry store. Paying a lot for pearls, however, is nothing new. Pearls have been considered elite jewels since ancient times. Cleopatra is rumored to have dissolved a priceless pearl in wine and drank it to illustrate Egypt's wealth to Mark Anthony. That anecdote is a favorite of Nancy Alden in her jewelry-making book Simply Pearls.
Alden begins her guide with an introduction detailing how pearls are created and how the cultured pearl industry in China has made pearls available at much lower prices for jewelry makers all over the world.
Even if you can't afford to work with pearls, this book provides clear instructions for basic jewelry making techniques such as stringing necklaces and working with head pins to make earrings. The book is also packed with exquisite pictures that will, if nothing else, serve as excellent eye candy and inspiration for the jewelry maker in you.
While Alden makes a point of emphasizing that pearls deserve respect and should be combined with quality materials, many of her designs could be adapted to use regular glass beads and base metal materials. The designs range from a simple beaded strand of pearls to a necklace simply known as "A lot of work--but worth it!" These varying designs even offer some interesting projects for advanced beaders.
July 20, 2010
Large photos are nice, so you can see up close the designs. Very pretty project ideas and the beginning of the book has a good intro for those just starting to "get into" pearls. Would definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews