Book Review
In the beginning of this book there is a must read chapter called
Getting Started which covers tools and supplies (wire and beads)
accompanied by product photos, wire skills (step-by-step instructions
accompanied by photos), Byzantine components (demonstrating the
techniques for the Byzantine chain, the Double Chain and Inca Puno
Chain), Assembly, Determining Length and Evaluating Chains. The
projects portion of this book is divided into Linear Designs, Additive
Designs, Combined Designs and Composed Designs. While there are
clearly written step-by-step instructions accompanied by clear photos
demonstrating the techniques they are quite involved so previous
jewellery making experience would be beneficial in creating these
pieces of jewellery. The author also provides the reader with the
option of using bought jump rings to form the chains instead of
creating your own.
Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry contains instructions for classic
(Half-Square Bead Variation with pearls) and contemporary (Double
or Twisted Spade Variation) styles of jewellery to suit everyone’s
tastes. Additional descriptions (including the chain and bead pattern)
for designs of some of the pieces of jewellery (i.e. the Rosary
Design) are also included to demonstrate the possibilities of jewellery
making. One thing I didn’t like about the content in this
book is one of more of the designs for pieces of jewellery, (i.e.
the Parallel Bead Design and Wave Bead Variation used in the making
of a chain or a bracelet) is photographed with a matching pair of
earrings but specific instructions aren’t provided on how
to carry the design over to make the earrings. With a bit of experience
making a design combined with the instructions for creating the
earring backs as well as how to attach the earring design (provided
in the Getting Started Chapter) one could create the earrings to
complete a necklace and bracelet set.
What I really like about the jewellery making projects in Handcrafting
Chain and Bead Jewelry are the variations from the basic technique
instructions that incorporate beads into the design. The incorporation
of beading with chain making techniques leads to the creation of
unique and colorful pieces of jewellery. Out of all the designs
in this book my true favorites were the designs that where combined
with beads because it makes the chains so much more colorful and
this is my style preference. Some of the designs in this book are
so distinctive they would make great personal gifts for special
people in your life. |
