Basic Jewelry Making

by Sandy Allison, Ted Walker (Collaborator), Alan Wycheck (Photographer)

- The basics of using beads and wire to create custom pieces - Each technique carefully described and illustrated - Create pieces for yourself and friends, or to sell This fully illustrated guide shows how to make all kinds of funky and elegant bracelets, earrings, necklaces, and pendants using beads and wire. It begins with the basics--planning a design, attaching fittings, making secure crimps, selecting beads--so crafters can quickly get started creating one-of-a-kind pieces. Simple wire-bending techniques allow them to make beaded drop earrings as well as more elaborate necklace and bracelet designs. Advanced techniques use metallic, sterling silver, even 14-carat-gold wire to make gallery-quality jewelry in almost any style and size. Featuring design ideas by a variety of jewelers, this book includes pictures and descriptions of tools and materials, a guide to common types of beads, advice on proper lengths and fit, and inspiration for creating a wide range of styles.

Genres: Nonfiction, Jewellery Making, Crafts

109 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2006

Reviews

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've said before that I don't usually actually read these books, but I read this one. It looked like a quick read, and it was. It was also a nice change from the last jewelry book I actually read. The instructions had a photograph for each step, instead of just the first and last ones. Had I read this book before the book I finished yesterday, I probably would have been irritated by how far the breakdown of each step is taken. However, after the last book, it was almost refreshing to get the end of the directions and actually understand what I was supposed to do. In this case, more is more, and while I would likely have been able to do (or can do) most of what's included in this book, I do not regret taking the time to read it (which probably totalled less than an hour).

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is simply the BEST BOOK EVER FOR BEGINNERS!!!! I started by myself with that and the step-by-step projects are so well explained and illustrated that it makes jewelry making extremely easy. Each technique and step to make a jewel is very well explained and accompanied by pictures (not illustrations, but big pictures). It is the ultimate guide to start mastering the art of jewelry making. I absolutely loved that book. The projects are really basic and simple, nothing extravagant or really original, but all is there to make a great start. There is even a section about metalworking and silver smithing.

[Misty]

It's a great beginner's guide.