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Last updated: 25 MAR 2005
Crochet with Wire
By Nancie M. Wiseman
© Published by Interweave Pres
www.interweave.com
$14.95
Book Review by Mary Timme
Once again this is a book for beginners in bead crochet. The directions for the stitches are clear, and could be more plentiful, but aren't. At the same time, this book would be good for beginners because they wouldn't be intimidated by the scope of the projects or the difficulty. As a primer for crocheting with beads, I think this is where the book would find it most usefulness. If you've never crocheted with wire there is valuable information. It is not like fiber and once it is bent, while a little might be taken out, you need to plan on doing it right the first time. The tool section is quite good, also. I would have liked to seen more drawings for how the beads sit when 'popped' through the stitch and how they look. I think beginners can "get it," but it would have been easier if the drawings had been more copious. There also is a gradation of skill levels that I found misleading. Just because a granny square doesn't repeat every stitch doesn't mean it is difficult, but that was the premise of the book.
Again I found the photography to be uninspired and without much clarity. I expect much better than this from Interweave Press and was disappointed to see it. We are glad for the generosity of Interweave for giving a copy of this book to our library for reference.
Beadwork Creates Earrings
30 Designs
Edited by Jean Campbell
© Interweave Press
www.interweave.com
$16.95
Book Review by Mary Timme
This book was very disappointing to me, and I asked other knowledgeable people in the field what they thought so I could get a different perspective. They were somewhat disappointed in the photography, but thought it was a good book for beginners as there are stringing techniques, bead weaving techniques, and the very beginning of wire working techniques. Perhaps, I have become jaded with excellence and have no eye for what the beginning beader needs, for when that was pointed out I had to agree. This book would be very useful for someone who knows almost nothing, but wants to get started with some ideas for instant gratification. I think that is the niche for this book. I was really disappointed in the photography of the items, not because most of it was bad, but because it was so totally uninspired. Usually this is not the case with Interweave publications.
For beginning inspiration and technique for beginners this is a good book. This book will be in our library due to the generosity of Interweave Press.
100 Beaded Jewelry Designs
By Stephanie Burnham
© Interweave Press
www.interweave.com
$21.99 Book Review by Mary Timme
This is a very nice book. There are a variety of designs from mostly strung to mostly simple netting with small beads and on to earrings and pins. Some are strictly needle woven and some are a combination of stringing techniques with bead needle weaving. The book also has projects that use some natural products for focal points and are made with many different techniques. The best part is Basic techniques section of the book. While Interweave has used photos for years for many things, until recently they have mostly relied on drawings as the method for showing the how-to. Again we are starting to see photos for how to and also drawings for things that need drawings, that is, sections of several rows of different colored bead in circular peyote. The range of projects in this book should keep intermediate and beginners going strong on different concepts of putting big and little beads together for a long time. Excellent book for when the muse is tired and on vacation.
Beading for the Soul
By Deborah Cannarella
© Interweave Press
www.interweave.com
$21.95
Book Review by Mary Timme
What happens when you decide to print a book with lots of different views about what is and isn't a soul? You get a book who has several authors and an editor who talks about what beading means to them as it shows their works. The book is divided into several chapters such as Protection, Healing, Strength, Good Fortune, Prayer, Bonding, Remembrance, and the like. Certainly it is politically correct as well as offering a fascinating window on a moment in time of each person's process. There are 31 projects that you may choose from to try and a materials list for them. If you don't know how to accomplish the project, there is a section on how-to and drawings for how-to on processes for each of the projects. The gallery is an interesting mix of philosophy and process, and projects to inspire you, without directions of course, for the gallery offerings. There is a wide mix of techniques and of spiritual expression in the book. I think you'd enjoy at least looking at the book in our library.
Making Wire Jewelry and More
By Linda Chandler and Christine Ritchey
© Interweave Press
www.interweave.com
$16.95
Book Review by Mary Timme
Not being a 'stringing' sort of beading person, I didn't think I'd like this book. Wow! Was I wrong! I love this book! For one thing, instead of drawings or ill-lighted videos, we have actual, clear, concise pictures of how to do a certain thing. And it starts simple and gets more complex. You can really build your expertise following this book. Every now and then a small-bead beading person has to do some wire techniques and I, for one, always feel like a fumble-fingers when that happens. I have a lot more confidence after reading this because I see how the magic is accomplished. And yes, I can do it too. I really like this book and recommend it highly to the accomplished and beginner wire person. The authors know what they are talking about and have excellent hints for everyone--and the photography is excellent!
Metal Clay Magic
Making Silver Jewelry the Easy Way
By Nan V. Mizushima
© Art Jewelry Magazine
www.artjewelrymag.com
Book Review by Mary TimmeFirst let me tell you I'm not a metal clay artist, but I do pretend sometimes. This book 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 each. 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 that 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, but very well presented. I also liked the idea of using sheet metal clay in what seemed to me unique ways, and of combining metal clay with glass and gem stones. I'd never thought of making a metal clay ring and that was fascinating also. This seems like a good book for metal clay enthusiasts.