Customer Reviews

All Wired Up: Wire Techniques For the Beadworker and Jewelry Maker (Beadwork How-To)

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I'd have to say this is an excellent book that teaches you the BASICS of wiring for jewelry. The first two chapters start you off great, telling you all the tools needed for wire wrapping as well as how to hold pliers and basic looping techniques. Then the next few chapters go on to teach you clear, step by step instructions (with drawn illustrations) on making wire findings, clasps, cool looking headpins, ear wires, how to wire wrap a cab, how to wire wrap marbles, how to wire wrap beads and so on. What this book is lacking is that, at the very end they have many pictures of very beautiful wire necklaces and bracelets with no instructions on how to make them. These pieces clearly require a LOT more work than the book teaches you. So if you are ONLY interested in learning the basics and incorporating wire into your jewelry this is the book to own.

If you are a beginner, this book is great. The instructions are very clear and easy to follow.

I must say that personally, I was a bit disappointed in this book, simply because I am already familiar with many of the basic wire techniques, so I didn't get much from the book. I did, however, learn a wire technique for wrapping a cabochon, which I have never tried.

I was a little disappointed that instructions for creating the jewelry piece on the cover, were not included in the book, since I thought it was a beautiful necklace.

If you are familiar with making basic items such as ear wires, hook and eye clasps, spirals, etc. then you may not get much out of this book.

If you are a beginner and want to learn about the proper tools to use, and looking for basic techniques, then I highly recommend this book.

I bought this book wanting, simply, to learn to make my own earwires. I had never even held plain jewelry wire or wire working tools. I was very skeptical of what one book could teach me.

Boy did this book shut me up! Speaking from a beginner's standpoint, this book is fabulous! Mark Lareau covers everything from the very very basics. He suggests tools and supplies like your good friend would suggest things to you. Everything is plainly written and the projects are step-by-step. The illustrations are also great. He just doesn't leave anything to the imagination.

I even made use of his resource listing (in the back) and found a great supplier of wire at great prices. Not only do I make my own earwires now (and save TONS of money), I make clasps, bead cages, fun shaped headpins, and several other things.

This book will never sit on the shelf. It's great!

This book is aimed at beginners, but can also be helpful to an intermediate-level wireworker. The instructions are very detailed -- the author explains all the little things that most books omit, leaving the reader wondering why their results are not so clean or professional as those in the book. In my case, the first chapters served as a helpful review, and I learned a few tips to polish my basic techniques. The projects included are clearly detailed and are open to endless variation. The gallery pages at the end are very inspirational.

If you're looking for lots of step-by-step patterns to copy, this is probably not the book for you. If you're looking to learn solid techniques for creating your own works, I recommend it highly.

I don't usually take the time to write reviews, but this book really impressed me that much. It is one of the only books with pictures and explanations that I could understand. What Lareau teaches you how to make in this book are basics that everyone needs to know - how to make a strong hook and eye clasp, how to make your own ear wires, and how to wrap cabochons for pendants. So many of the books I have seen guide you through gaudy, crafty-looking projects that I would never actually wear. This book is short and sweet, starting with how to create the perfect loop. Excellent graphics.

I'm really surprised to see how many positive reviews this book has gathered. Due to this I ordered my own copy as well as Bead on A Wire by Sharilyn Miller. The two can't even begin to be compared but I'll try. All Wired Up just lacks in good photos to show techniques, the drawings are small. There are only about 5 glossy pictures at the end of the book for inspiration pieces but none for projects. I'm very disappointed in this book. However Bead on A Wire is an exceptional teaching and inspiring book, with enlarged, color photos of every aspect of learning to work with wire. The projects are just beautiful and doable. I'm a beginner but sure Sharilyn Miller's book can accomodate all levels. So glad I purchased this and will return All Wired Up.

I continually refer to this book for building or adding to my library of techniques. This is one of the best books I've found for clearly detailing wire bead building with basic tools and simple wire. I consider it a "must have" resource for both beginners and intermediate wire jewelry makers.

This book is great because of it's precise instructions. The techniques from how to hold your tools to the degrees of angles to bend your wire are right on. The hook and eye clasp takes some practice but it is really great. The findings you learn to make in this book are so superior to machine made ones you buy in the store. I found the gallery section in the back of the book inspiring. The gallery pieces lack instructions, but I didn't really expect them to. It's like a photographic museum of wirework.

I purchased this book not knowing a thing about jewelry making and yet was able to create a lovely necklace in just a couple of hours. The instructions are very clearly written and the accompanying diagrams are quite useful. If you are at all interested in creating your own wire jewelry then this book is a must!

This is by far the best instructional book on any topic I've ever seen. With clear diagrams and beautiful color illustrations, Lareau teaches with humor. His text instructions are easy to understand. He has rekindled my interest in jewelry making, and I searched for supplemental books. I've perused about a dozen similar books in the bookstore and came to the conclusion that in "All Wired Up," I already have all I'll ever need. Lareau teaches the basics in such a way that after practicing and mastering his basic techniques, I know that I have enough knowledge and skill to create my own designs. I find that I can simply look at a picture of a wired piece and easily figure out how it is made. The book is of benefit to the beginner and experienced wireworker alike, since Lareau also teaches how to improve upon one's current technique - and frequently proves that his way is better. The list price is a bit high, but well worth it.