Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Fashion    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    7. Antiques & Collectibles / Jewelry    8. Body art & tattooing    9. Costume   

Editorial Review

From Leonardo da Vinci's recipe for imitation pearls to the derring-do of deep-sea pearl divers, Read more

Reviews (4)

Pearls: A Natural History
A beautiful book with great information and many gorgeous pictures.The history and pearl formation information was very helpful.

Most excellent information, but...
This book is quite thorough, as mentioned in the other reviews.The "but" is major, though.... The type font is VERY DIFFICULT on the eyes.I absolutely love pearls, drool over them, even.I gobble up any information on them.If the GIA offers a specialization in them, I will get it.But the lines in this font are so thin, and the size is so tight and small, I haven't been able to finish a fourth of the book, and I've had it over a year! contains everything you could want to know
This is an excellent, well illustrated book with everything you could want to know about pearls - how they occur naturally, the biology of this, how they are induced artificially ( cultured pearls), how they are faked, the optics of their appearance and how they have shaped history and , of course, pearl jewellery.Read more

Subjects:  1. Fisheries & Aquaculture    2. General    3. Jewelry    4. Marine Life    5. Mollusks    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. Pearl fisheries    9. Pearl oyster culture    10. Pearl oysters    11. Pearls    12. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    13. Aquaculture & fishing: practice & techniques    14. Jewellery & jewellery-making    15. Nature / General   

Reviews (1)

A 'must' reference, especially for consumers just starting out in gem collecting or investing
The second updated, expanded edition of COLORED GEMSTONES: THE ANTOINETTE MATLINS BUYING GUIDE is on the market and it's not to be missed for any avid gem collector. Here are all the basic keys to gems; from initial assessment of the factors which lend value to descriptive names, misnomers, facts on hardness and wearability and more. A 'must' reference, especially for consumers just starting out in gem collecting or investing.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Antiques/Collectibles    4. Jewelry    5. Reference - Price Guides    6. Consumer guides & advice    7. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Subjects:  1. Beadwork    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    4. Jewelry    5. Jewelry making    6. Wire craft   

Editorial Review

Pretty photos and decent directions demonstrate how to create dozens of different projects out of enamel, glass, pearl, ceramic, semiprecious, and other types of beads. From the basics of equipment and foundation techniques like threading, knotting, and finishing, to designing striking necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and brooches, Read more

Reviews (4)

My style of bead book!
Of my several bead books, this is one of my favorites. The instructions are very clear, and the same techniques are used repeatedly for most of the jewelry pieces, for example, stringing the beads on thread, and using calottes to finish the ends. There are a few other techniques also, and I did pick up a few new ones for my own use, for example, how to work with leather thong in jewelry -- braiding it and finishing the ends with findings I hadn't used before. Wonderful book full of inspirational designs
When I ordered this book, I was looking for something that would have lotsof pictures of various kinds of beaded jewelry.I definately found what Iwas looking for in this book!It's got wonderful photos of designs theauthor has created, along with how-to instructions (nothing too difficult). Nearly every picture has helped get the creative ideas flowing!It alsohas a bit on the history of beads, plus a section on making your own beads. Good book for beginners and those wanting pictures for ideas!

World of Beads
The dust jacket on this book is covered with luscious, rhythmical beaded jewelry that invites a look inside.The photography inside the book is just as exciting.There is no history of beads here, just a straightplunge into creating beautiful accessories.Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. General    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry making    9. Art techniques & materials    10. Handicrafts    11. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (3)

Good starter book
Complete and easy read a great place to start.

A very good foundation book
I wish I had this book when I first started to sculpt figures in wax.I would have saved myself a lot of time and agrivation.I would have also saved myself quite a bit of money by using good tequniques, and in that respect alone this book would pay for itself.If you are just getting into wax sculpture, this book would lay a very strong foundation from which to build your skills.

Learned more than in 6 months apprenticeship
I got this book after making jewelry for 3 years and lost wax casting for 6 months.Boy, did I learn a lot!The projects are truly outstanding.They show a wide variety of techniques and styles.Try each one even ifit's not a style you're really big on - I did and found neat ways to dothings I wanted to do that I hadn't managed before.I require this as atext for all my apprentices who do casting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Jewelry    5. Jewelry making    6. Sculpture    7. Wax-modeling    8. Handicrafts    9. Jewellery & jewellery-making    10. Modelling (in clay, wax & other plastic materials)   

Reviews (1)

Key word: INSPIRATION! ...with a dash of sass and wit!
Margot Potter's second craft and jewelry book, THE IMPATIENT BEADER GETS INSPIRED!, is an appealingly written, informative collection of ideas and techniques designed to encourage the inner artist in all of us to wake up, look about at the world and create! As a jewelry designer,I was enthralled by every page of this book. More than once I found myself interested in the more crafty projects, which are not within my specific arena. THAT IS HOW GOOD MARGOT POTTER IS! She makes you want to do things you don't normally do. She is so vibrant and encouraging! Additionally, her projects are inventive and original, yet not so very difficult that you couldn't try something you have always wished to take a shot at (like soldering, or polymer clay). She works with fabric, feathers, polymer clay, wall paper, vintage magazines, grommets, Mod Podge, traditional jewelry findings and you name it!!! You have to read it to believe it, and I guarantee you, you will love it!
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Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Decorating    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    9. Jewelry making    10. Handicrafts    11. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (2)

very good information. and good for research.
Hi I bouhgt Southwestern Indian Jewelry and it arrived with no plastic wrap and the jacket was damaged. Please let me know how to go about exchanging it for another in perfect condition. I am a collector and condition is important.Thank You, Joe Garcia.

The one book on American Indian jewelery you must own.
As a collector of Indian art, jewelery, pottery and rugs, I had the wonderful good fortune to know and consider the Hopi Master jeweler Charles Loloma my friend. Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Art    3. Folk & Outsider Art    4. General    5. Indians of North America    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Native American Art    9. Southwest, New    10. Southwestern States    11. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    12. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    13. India    14. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (3)

Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend
This book is wonderfull, the jewelry is wonderfull.It renews my faith that at one time people with money DID have some taste.This book is well worth the money spent.

Entertaining book with gorgeous photos
An entertaining book with memorable personalities and their world famous baubles. The section on socialities and the nobility is fun to read; especially countess Mona von Bismarck. The incredible story of Poor Little Rich Girl, Barbara Hutton and socialite Daisy Fellowes (she must have been an incredible woman, reading her self-improvement on her nose!). Some of the gems are world famous, like the bejewelled menagerie of the Duchess of Windsor, her cats, her flamingo, her tiger lorgnette etc. All in all, a fun book to read, but not only for lovers of jewellery, but also for people who are interested in royalty, fashion and high society. In short, a nice coffeetable book!

Wonderful
This is a well written book with wonderful photography.The selection of jewellery owners for each of the categories specified was thoughtful with some less well know, but nevertheless interesting collectors, included. The only shortfall was the absence of collectors from the Orient and theEast - this would have been unique and given the book an extra star.Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Art    3. Biography    4. Collecting    5. Collectors and collecting    6. General    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    9. Antiques & Collectibles / Jewelry   

Reviews (13)

Inspiring is the best definition.........
Inspiring is the best definiton to this book;I am a designer and jeweller and I love rings; I found 1000 original rings as a vademecum of inspiration to develope new ideas.

good book
Overall this is a great book.my only complaint is that some of the photos are not of a high enough quality.But really its only a few out of the 1000.

more rings than you will ever have fingersfor
This series of Lark books is awesome. They are visual essays on a theme. I bought this book for my own information as a jewelry designer and bought one for a friend who is a silversmith. We are both very happy. In retrospect say in 2015 this book will probly look very 2005 but right now it is fresh and visually exciting. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. General    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry making    7. Rings    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    9. JUVY-NON FICTION - JUVY-NON FICTION    10. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (3)

Comprehensive and Authentic
Oppi's thoroughness and attention to the detail in this book is amazing.Pictures and illustrations are just magnificent.Oppi covers the jewelry of maharajas to jewelry of tribal people.The jewelry descriptions in this book include every region and every style there is in India.I bought this book when I was asked to talk about India's jewelry at an art museum.This book definitely improved my knowledge about the subject.

Traditional Jewelry of India
Oppi's book is magnificent.It is a culmination of over thirty years ofOppi's research.His book covers more than just Indian jewelry, butforehead marks and henna mendhi. Oppi Untracht provides a wealth of knowledge about India/Pak
An excellent and well researched study with extraordinary photographs by a well known scholar of Indian art. 430 interesting pages that are very well presented to the reader.You'll find possibly more detail than you mayneed, but you can return later for the items you missed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Criticism    5. India    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry   

Reviews (6)

Great introduction for a little-known art
This book was my complete introduction to complex braids.I wanted to make unique brains for use in jewelry and purses.This book tells you everything you need to know to get started and also to explore moreadvanced fields.Square braids, triangular braids, flat braids, roundbraids.Stuff you didn't know you wanted until you saw it! Great photos, good for beginners
At first I greatly enjoyed this book.It not only gave instructions on how to assemble your own equipment, it also had numerous braid designs with color photos and step by step instructions of how to make each.However,once I fiddled around a bit an got more serious and creative with mysamples, I found that some of the more advanced techniques (such as thedifferent ways to finish a braid) were lacking in their description andinstruction. But, overall, a great book for beginners.

Excellent book with a nice suprise inside
A most excellent book on braiding. Not only does he have pictures and instructions on each braid, there is a nice suprise for cheapska---I mean people who live frugally. In the equipment section Mr Owen offers threechoices: The "proper" equipment (beautiful but rather expensiveto build), a cheap version made out of multiple pieces of cardboard,washers and plastic bottles and a really really cheap version made out of asingle piece of cardboard. This is nice for people with shallow pockets orif you are just seeing what this braiding stuff is all about. If you don'tlike it you are only out one piece of cardboard. People with multiplechildren will be happy too because each child can make their own"braider". Teachers take notice! A class project that includesart, motor skills and recycling old cardboard, washers and little plasticbottles too.Read more

Subjects:  1. Braid    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Hand weaving    4. Handicraft    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Ropework    8. Weaving    9. Spinning & weaving   

Subjects:  1. Antiques & Collectibles    2. Antiques/Collectibles    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. History    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    7. Pearl jewelry    8. Tiffany and Company    9. Antiques & Collectibles / Jewelry    10. Fashion design    11. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (2)

unfortunate
After long period of waiting sell announced that they did not , and could not get book. My answer, don't list it for sale then till you have it physically.

Christie's 20th Century Jewelry
An excellent overview of styles and the people who made them over the last 110 years. An outstanding reference text. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Antiques & Collectibles    3. Antiques / Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. History    6. Jewelry   

Reviews (1)

Good Overview of Silver Flatware Pieces
This book is a great resource if you are looking for general descriptions of the hundreds of different types of sterling flatware pieces - it goes well beyond the standard place setting and serving pieces.However, itwould be better if it had better photos of some details and the price guideis very general - it does not value specific patterns. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 19th century    2. 20th century    3. Antiques & Collectibles    4. Antiques/Collectibles    5. Art & Art Instruction    6. Catalogs    7. General    8. History    9. Patterns    10. Silver flatware    11. Silver, Gold & Other Metals    12. Antiques & collectables: gold & silver (other than jewellery)    13. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    14. Gold & silversmithing   

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts   

Reviews (4)

Unimpressed by the authors attempt to sway the reviews...
I'm annoyed and shocked to see that the author has given herself not 1 but 2 glowing 5 star reviews, and that they are written as though from a reader!A review should be an honest appraisal of material from a person who bought and read the book, not shameless self promotion.

easy teaching method
I really enjoyed this book on enameling. I have always wanted to get involved with this art, but I was concerned that I wouldn't understand any of the terms or processes.I found the book easy to find answers to my questions as I progressed with any steps. I have the opportunity to see many different techniques so I can make decisions on the style I want to use. Keep up the great work - I wish there were books up to this quality level in all the arts!

Read more about the book
The Art of Fine Enameling is not just for practicing enamelists, it is for the collector and art lover, too, as the book includes so many beautiful photos and easy to read descriptions of the major enamleing techniques. As a how-to book, it is for both the beginner and the more skilled enamelist and works well as a text book because of it's easy to read desciptions and it's comprehensive troubleshooting section.Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Jewelry    5. Pottery & Ceramics    6. BG-TRANSPORTATION - BG-AUTO    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    8. Sale Books   

Editorial Review

This stunning volume utilizes glorious color photos to catalog all types of beads (glass, wood, metal, ceramic, natural, semiprecious, plastic, novelty, and collectible), offer design guidelines on planning jewelry (considerations of bead shape, texture, size, weight, and color), and document various practical considerations (findings, equipment, basic how-tos of creating earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and brooches). The section on themes and special occasions, complete with directions for each project, features designs for evening wear, summer styles, holiday looks, weddings, children's items, and African- and Indian-inspired pieces. Even the purely informational and visual spreads (those without actual how-to instructions) offer endless inspiration and ideas for beaded creations. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

A wonderful resource and idea book
This beautiful book is full of colour photos that show hundreds of examples of bead types and styles and describes their origins. A whole section is devoted to projects appropriate to each style and the how-to instructions are easy to follow. The only problem is the book doesn't include a bag of beads once you get your appetite whetted! For the beginner and more experienced beader, this is a lovely reference guide and worth the money.

Can't wait to make this stuff!
This bead book is like an encyclopedia and gallery in one.I love looking through its wonderful photos of beads and jewelry, and it has added to my store of techniques and design ideas.A large section is dedicated to close-up photos of many types of beads with references to their history and cultural background.It makes me more knowledgeable about what I'm getting when I shop for beads. Bead Fest for the eyes and imagination!
The information and the photography in this book is really wonderful. I refer to it time and again for information on particular beads or just to look at the wonderful pictures of beads. I love to collect beads and use them in designs.It is always enjoyable to me to just peruse this book. I would recommend it to anyone that is interested in beads,or just for information and ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads    2. Beads & Beading    3. Beadwork    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    9. Jewelry making    10. Crafts & Hobbies / General   

Reviews (2)

The Art of a Continent
Very informmative text, very easy to read, and understand. With pictures, and text that visually and verbably discribe in detail each object listed. Great number of art objects not available to view without the photographs in this bookI am 100% satisfied with this book and will use it as a reference, on an ongoing basis. A must for the collector of African Art.

African Art, a true collectors edition.
One of the most complete general works on African Art and well worthpurchasing for detailed information on the variation in art form, tribe,country and art style in Africa. Almost full tribal location informationand regionalised art details makes this book a must for the seriouscollector and student on the subject. From early Egyptian to more recenttimes, it is a book you have to read several times to understand that noone can ever know the true depth and complexity within the African Artworld. A good all round reference book on a much missunderstood andunderated art form. Read more

Subjects:  1. African    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Art, African    5. Exhibitions    6. Africa    7. Ceramic arts, pottery, glass    8. Gold & silversmithing    9. History Of Art / Art & Design Styles    10. Jewellery & jewellery-making    11. Painting & paintings    12. Sculpture & other three-dimensional art forms    13. Textile arts   

Reviews (1)

Beautiful Designs
I was delighted to find this book.One look at the cover and a flip through the pages and i knew I had found the jewelry making book for me.I have been making jewelry for years and like to get new ideas. The designs in this book are beautiful!Even though the projects look easy enough for a beginner and don't require anything special, the ideas and final pieces of jewelry have me itching to get in my workroom, and i consider myself an advanced jewelry maker.The extra tips, suggestions and additional photographs are also great. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry making    7. Pearls    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    9. Jewellery & jewellery-making