Reviews (1)

Easy to purchase supplies
I bought this book thinking it would be impossible to find the supplies to do the projects in it and that the projects would be way out of my league.Boy, was I surprised to see that most of the beads I could get at my local bead store or I had them on hand!Good Book!Actually some projects I might just make - not just a coffee table book. ... Read more

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

Reviews (9)

Great book for beginners or intermediates
This book has a lot of great patterns, some easy enough for a beginner, some a bit more advanced.As with any 'pattern' book, not all projects will appeal to everyone, but I found about 80% of them were interesting or appealing enough for me to try.The directions are GREAT!I plan to buy another one of these for my son, who also makes jewelry.I could loan him my copy, but I use it too much!

Excellent book on bead & wire jewelry construction
This book by Powley and her other one "Making Designer Gemstone and Pearl Jewelry" are the two best books currently on the market on these particular subjects in jewelry-making.Her instructions are clear and the designs (up-close, clear photographs) shown are inspirational.The "look" of the books is not cluttered with too many instructions or diagrams.The un-cluttered content helped me to feel relaxed and to not get overwhelmed by too many instructions.I highly recommend both of her books.

Great introduction to jewelry making!
If you're seeking an introduction to making jewelry using your favorite beads and simple wire fastenings, you've found it! The jewelry projects offered here are professional and stylish, yet easy to make with just a few tools and techniques provided by the author.
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Subjects:  1. Beadwork    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Decorating    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Jewelry making    9. Handicrafts   

Reviews (10)

Good guide
Good book for someone interested in knowing what they have.It is based on using specific equipment, but does give the biginner a good understanding of what is needed, and how to use it.

Pros, but Cons as well...
When I bought this book I was looking for a way to indentify various stones that I inherited from my Grandmother. This book if great if you're looking at selling or profiting from your stones AND willing to spend $$$ in advance to do it. The book basically lists equiptment, where to buy it, how much it costs, etc... and then how to use said equiptment to identify stones. I was looking for something that would help me to identify stones without spending $1000 before hand.
A True Gem for Gem Lovers
As a professional Gemologist having studied gems extensively and also someone who helps instruct already certified gemologist, aspiring gemologist, gem and jewelry retailers (many are not gemologists), gem cutters, hobbyist and consumers, I find Gem Identification Made Easy to be a very worthwhile purchase. It is comprehensively informative, accurate, resourceful, inspiring, and articulate as appropriate for the intended audience with a wide diversity of gemological knowledge. And, it's fun! Let's face it, gems, and jewelry containing them, are expensive toys, and though the money used to purchase them are typically discretionary, I don't know anyone who wants to pay for something that is not what it is represented to be. Very good, basic gemological information contained in this book will pleasingly educate the reader of any of the categories above, but can also potentially save the reader from mistakes worth multiple orders of dollarmagnitude beyond the cost of the book (or the recommended basic tools which it explains how to use). The 3rd Edition provides updates that deal with new treatment processes, new synthetics and simulants and gemological evidence that will aid in their identification. I have many reference books on gemology in my library, and I proudly display and use this one. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Identification    5. Jewelry    6. Precious stones    7. Antiques & collectables: jewellery    8. Consumer guides & advice   

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    9. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes   

Reviews (3)

Inspiring!
If you love unique silver and gold jewelry but don't want to become a metalsmith, read Metal Clay Magic. With the development of metal clay, only your imagination limits what you can create in quality silver and gold.
Showing beginners how to create beads, brooches, and more from this new Japanese material
Nana V. Mizushima's Metal Clay Magic: Making Silver Jewelry The Easy Way provides a solid introduction to metal clay, showing beginners how to create beads, brooches, and more from this new Japanese material. Lesson plans are based on over twenty easy projects and provide everything from shaping and use tips to hints on how to fire metal clay with a butane torch, use an electric kiln, and more. The inclusion of Internet resources and a bibliography round out the how-to facts, which are packed with step-by-step color photos for easy demonstration of technique.

Book Review by Mary Timme, Rocky Mountain Bead Society, rockybeads.org
First let me tell you I'm not a metal clay artist, but I do pretend sometimes.Metal Clay Magic has joined a heavy hitting line up of books on metal clay.I like the techniques in this book and the explanations of different types of heat applied to metal clay and the results you get from that. The tools and materials section is really good, because it shows the little `hot pot' techniques up to the most wonderful of kilns.I also like the division of projects, meaning the one chapter is for beginners and then next chapter is intermediate and goes on to using more advanced techniques.There is a section for inspiration, resources and suppliers and suggested reading that I find not really long, very well presented.I also liked the idea of using sheet metal clay in what seemed to me unique ways, and of combing metal clay with glass and gemstones.I'd never thought of making a metal clay ring and that was fascinating also.This seems like a good book for the metal clay enthusiasts.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Jewelry    5. Metal Arts And Crafts    6. Metal Work   

Reviews (2)

MESMERIZING = CARTIER
A MOST REMARKABLE COLLECTION OF CARTIER JEWELS PHOTOGRAPHED IN ALL THEIR GLORY. THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING I EXPECTED & MORE; BEAUTIFULLY PRINTED & ENCASED IN A LUXURIOUS FOLDOUT BOX--A JEWEL ITSELF FOR ANY LOVER & COLLECTOR OF ORNAMENTS. ITS' MASSIVE SIZE & OVERALL QUALITY JUSTIFY ITS' PRICE. I AM MESMERIZED BY THE ARTISTRY & VERSATILITY OF CARTIER.

Must have!!!
This book is a must have for any true jewelry book colector.
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Subjects:  1. Antiques / Collectibles    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Design - Decorative    5. Jewelry    6. Jewellery & jewellery-making    7. Photography / Fashion   

Reviews (10)

Great place to start for beginners
I have come back to this book numerous times for help as I begin my jewelry making hobby. It is organized and laid out well, and the definitions and illustrations/photos of different types of beads, findings, etc., are very helpful for novices like me. The book contains pretty basic information, and that's a good thing. I highly recommend it for anyone who wants to get started off on the right foot with this hobby.

What a disappointment...
I ordered this book because it had such good reviews and it seemed to be a good book for beginning beaders, but I was very disappointed.
BEST beginner book
I purchased this book as a gift to a beginning beader.I am an experienced beader, and I found this book to have many things I wish I had when I first started beading.There is a description of the different shapes of beads and what their names are, rondelle, bicone, etc.There is also a scale diagram of the actual sizes of beads, 4mm, 6mm etc.Very helpful info.I am starting a women's beading co-op in Haiti as a mission project, and this has such great illustrations and pictures, they will be able to learn from this book. ... Read more

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

Reviews (1)

Great for Artists, not so great for jewelers
The good: This book has absolutely drop dead gorgeous illustrations of fine jewelry created using precious metals and precious stones.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Design    4. Earrings    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    8. Rings    9. Technique    10. Art techniques & materials    11. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (6)

what a disturbing book
I haven't even finished reading this book yet and I'm already feeling queasy about my own diamond ring, which incidentally I haven't worn in a few years due to an allergic reaction.When my husband and I bought it, it was definitely the most expensive thing either of us had ever shelled out money for, except our co-op apartment.Neither of us knew about the bloody history of the industry and the likelihood that the "forever" symbol of our love was so tainted.I'd like to sell it and donate the proceeds to charity.At least then it would do something good for somebody.

Beautiful, heartbreaking, and important
As others here have noted, Tom Zoellner's book is comprehensive, engaging, and deeply troubling for those of us who had planned to proudly wear a diamond one day. In addition to these observations, I'd like to point out several other aspects of the book that place it a step above similar works of non-fiction.
Excellent read
As a current student at GIA, this book gives a total different story about diamonds and the diamond industry. He's fair, honest and meticulous in his explanations. This book is funny, sad, scary and you feel as though you are on a journey with him through the many areas of the world where mining occurs. Makes you really think about other world industries when a little rock can be the difference of whether you live or die. Excellent read, awesome author. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Diamonds    3. Natural Resources    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Customs    7. Jewellery & jewellery-making    8. Travel / Africa   

Reviews (3)

Great for Inspiration, not Necessarily for Beginners
Like all Lark books, this book is exceptional in it's choice of imagery. There are so many outstanding examples of found object jewelry, that this book is enough to give anyone's muse a hefty jolt of adrenalin.
Artist Showcase
This book was just what i had hoped.It showcases some of the best offbeat jewelry artists with their techniques and instructions on how they did certain projects.It is a winner.

Clever ideas with surprising materials
I paged through this book at the store, and was pleasantly surprised by the clever variety of jewelry shown.Necklaces and bracelets are made with all sorts of things, from Scrabble tiles to colored pencil stubs to laminated dried rose petals to bottle caps.Additionally, there was some great photography of funky jewelry by other artists, including a rosary made of earplugs and a bracelet made with tiny lightbulbs.The projects seemed to range from beginner to fairly advanced, but I mostly looked at the photos, so I can't say much about the text.Usually when I look at jewelry books I see a few good ideas and a lot of stuff I wouldn't want to make, so I was surprised by how much cool stuff this book had.I might go back and buy it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Found objects (Art)    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Jewelry making    8. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    9. Jewellery & jewellery-making    10. SPORTS - BG-B&N CLASSICS   

Reviews (25)

Fun, and Easy jewelry for everyone
I love this bead book.It was one of the first beadbooks I had bought 5 years ago when I started beading again.I love the color palettes used and the instructions are easy to read and follow.
The Best of the Series!!!
I have purchased all three of the Bead Fantasies books and the first one is the BEST of them for me.Now don't get me wrong, I have enjoyed all of them.I have simply found more projects in the first one that appeal to me and my style.
Disappointing
I bought Bead Fantasies and Bead Fantasies II at the same time after reading the positive reviews; I wish I had looked at these books before buying. There are pretty motifs that I will incorporate into my beading projects but I find the small typed directions overly simplistic and the diagrams are too small. I'm glad this isn't my first beading book or I would feel totally discouraged from trying any of these projects. I won't be buying Bead Fantasies III.The Art and Elegance of Beadweaving and Coraling Technique remain my favorite beading books.
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Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Fashion    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Jewelry making    9. Handicrafts   

Reviews (1)

Full of photos, spiral bound - great book.
Why aren't more jewelry books like this one? "Basic Jewelry Making" has page after page of large, close-up photos of each step in a technique or project. It is spiral bound so it lays flat as I compare my wire wrapping with the one in the photo. Incredible. Each page has about 3-6 photos. The text is in the step by step captions underneath each photo.
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Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Jewelry    5. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    6. Jewelry making    7. Handicrafts    8. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (10)

Good Instructions - Beautiful Pictures
I've been working with wire a couple of years, but can always find new ways of working with wire.They have some traditional wire skills along with new ideas.I found the instructions easy to follow.I even reviewed some of the traditional designs made for a beginner and used them in teaching a beginners class.Worked like a charm.I highly recommend this book for all levels of wire wire except maybe the most advanced.Most all designs were new and not published elsewhere.

Beautiful!!
Very good book for wire work!The instructions are pretty easy to understand and the pictures are very helpful.The jewelry in the book is beautiful!
Bead & Wire Art Jewelry
I've learned a few new techniques in the book.Well illustrated.Thank you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Crafts & Hobbies    3. Crafts / Hobbies    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    7. Metal Work    8. Handicrafts    9. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (4)

It will get you thinking
This book is another must have for everybody in the metalsmithing/jewerly art metal area of interest. Covers the tools in depth and also has a number of do it yourself tools and shop helps that once you use them. They will more than pay for the cost many times over. Track this one down if you have to. Clear and consise descriptions, great photo's. I own it and refer to it a lot.It will also get you to start thinking about what other tools or tooling you can make in your shop.

Fabulous book to get started!
I just thumbed through this book in the store and decided to grab it because of the wide scope of information it covered.When I got it home, I read through it more attentively and found a wealth of information on how to get started making unique and remarkable jewelry, well beyond stringing beads!The author covers first the tools, even ways to make your own to start out with to save on start up costs.He then goes into materials.Then starts with an introduction into some very basic processes (like soldering, polishing, etc.).And from then on, introduces techniques and tricks in the form of creative projects.He even talks a bit about the design process and gives tips on things that have helped him (keeping a design journal and a scrapbook of pieces that inspire you).
Excellent!
This book is really excellent for a beginner (and others) - it shows complete jewellery making projects (wearable jewellery!) and all the steps necessary to make them, with lots of pictures, everything well explained. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Jewelry   

Reviews (8)

Who are you kidding.
Exhibit A in the case against buying books without being able to browse them first.If strapping a can opener to your wrist with adhesive tape counts as a bracelet, then there are 500, but many are pretense and most are unwearable.This book is just silly.

Really far out bracelets designs
The book is the best quality in printing and photography, as in all the other Lark books that I've seen.The bracelets chosen for inclusion in the book are a little too "way out" in their styling for my taste.

The best of the "1000 ____" or "500 ______" Lark series by FAR
I can't understand why this book has an average of only 3 stars..... wait, I can. I think some people wanted stylish bracelets on every page, instead of the stylish bracelets _and_ true, melt-your-brain art in the pages of this book. Guess they resist having their brains melted....it does sound scary.
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Subjects:  1. Bracelets    2. Catalogs    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. Hobbies/Crafts    6. Jewelry    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    8. Jewellery & jewellery-making    9. STUDY NOTES - SparkNotes   

Reviews (6)

Best in Class
This is really the best beginner-intermediate level jewelry making book that I have seen so far.Whereas most instructional books consist mainly of hideous jewelry designs that they demonstrate how to make, this book is a "survey" (of sorts) of the different techniques, with many examples of truly beautiful jewelry that were made with each technique. Inspiring, yet achievable.
WONDERFUL!
The beauty of this book is that it shows the technique and then shows outstanding artists work using this technique.The best book I have and I have lots.

Wow!
When I buy an "instructional" book, I nearly always find one or two handy tricks which make the book worth it's price.This one is loaded with great tips!Joanna Gollberg is a whiz at the technical aspects of the craft and she's very good at making the information understandable. If I could only have two books in my metalsmithing collection, this would be on the shelf along with Tim McCreight's Fundamentals. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Hobbies/Crafts    4. Jewelry    5. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    6. Jewelry making    7. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    8. Handicrafts    9. JUVY-WORKBOOKS - JUV WORKBOOKS    10. Jewellery & jewellery-making   

Reviews (6)

he's nuts, but he produces fabulous art
as good as the book is, i must say that it pales in comparison to seeing his work in person.i saw some of it at the renwick gallery in washington d.c. and it's just incredible.he's come out of his shell in the last fewyears but has been producing great stuff for a long time. Ho-Hum
Great photography and sculptures, but the writing style is fool's gold. Too expensive as well, even with the Amazon reduction. It's great but not that great.

Simply Brilliant, Simply Authentic, Simply Golden.
As a professor of Art History at an Afghani University, I would like to congratulate, extol, and exult Daniel Brush's masterpiece of a monograph. Its insight and vivid explanations are invaluable and I am discussing withmy colleagues about including it as an elective course for my students. Itssheer brilliance exemplifies its utter domination over any other art book.Congratulations to Daniel Brush for enhancing the art world. He will surelygo down in history as the pioneer of gold sculpting and as example for all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Art    2. 20th century    3. Art    4. Art & Art Instruction    5. Brush, Daniel    6. Catalogs    7. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    8. Criticism and interpretation    9. Design - Decorative    10. Goldwork    11. History    12. Individual Artist    13. United States    14. Antiques & Collectibles / Silver    15. Gold & silversmithing    16. Individual artists    17. Jewellery & jewellery-making    18. USA   

Reviews (12)

Too basic for anyone with slight experience
I was very disappointed with this book.It had a few basic steps, but they were limited and the designs offered were not ones I would ever make for me or friends.The best part of the book was the first chapter on materials and tools.There are better beginning books (Bead on a wire) with more tips and design ideas than this.I sent mine back!

Perfection!
I am thrilled with this book, it really covers everything and the photos are really excellent. I have been looking and looking to find a book like this step by step guide. You really could'nt ask for better. I highly recommend this book.

The best book on the market for bead/wire jewelry making
This book is excellent for beginers as well as the more advanced jewerly artist. This book contains detailed step by step instructions as well as color pictures of each basic - advanced technique. I had purchased Making Designer Bead and Wire Jewelry: Techniques for Unique Designs and Handmade Findings By: Tammy Powley and found this book to be a better bargain dollar for dollar. The instructions are clear and coupled with the pictures to guide you you can easily follow the pattern to complete a project. The projects are beautiful and there are so many useful techniques. This book also has instructions on how to make a few findings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry Arts And Crafts    7. Jewelry making    8. Wire craft    9. Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry    10. Handicrafts   

Reviews (4)

Not for a beginner
This book is not for someone that has no background in jewelry/metalsmithing. It is in the Quarto style form the publisher. It does cover what is promised. with short descriptive statements. And good photo's for somebody that has read a couple of beginner books the short discriptions will not be a problem. I own it.

Good but not ...very good.
The first twenty pages are interesting because the author take the time to describe the tools and material needed for jewelry making.
Poetry in jewelry
I loved this book!It covers so many different kinds of jewelry making.There's enough detail to teach you with plenty of ideas to stretch your imagination.Definitely worth the money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Crafts & Hobbies    2. Crafts / Hobbies    3. Decorating    4. Hobbies/Crafts    5. Jewelry    6. Jewelry making   

Reviews (14)

Best book ever
I was a little skeptical at first, but sometimes I get inspiration challanged. Sometimes my projects come out flat - one dimensional - so-so. After I read this book- it was eye opening. Just a little change and my projects had spark and edge. Now I fully understand how color interacts with the eye, with other colors, with the human brain.... awesome book and very worth it. The BEST book I ever got on beading.

If you work with seed beads, you must have this book...
...in fact, if you work with color at all, put this book in your shopping cart and buy it! I've been beading obsessively for about a year and a half and I've purchased many a book to learn this craft. I've learned something from each one, but I've also been a little ticked off that the many of the authors don't have their books professionally designed.When I received The Beader's Guide to Color, my faith was restored! This is a beautifully designed book, chock full of crisp photos and a fantastic exploration of color theory. The author uses her own work as well as that of other artists to illustrate the various methods of combining and blending color and includes a little color wheel with each image so the reader can see exactly how color choices were made. After my first thumb through, I went immediately to Margie Deeb's website and purchased her color wheel for beading (www.margiedeeb.com).
beaders' color guide
A very informative and beautiful book. A lot to learn about color combinations and design. A book to refer to on a regular basis. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Beads & Beading    2. Beadwork    3. Color in design    4. Crafts & Hobbies    5. Crafts / Hobbies    6. Hobbies/Crafts    7. Jewelry    8. Handicrafts