Customer Reviews

Chain Mail Jewelry: Contemporary Designs from Classic Techniques (Lark Jewelry)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This book is really a fine primer for new jewelry chain makers. There are instructions for four chain weaves including the Spiral and Byzantine weaves. However, the real emphasis of the book is how to weave the basic European and Japanese weaves. Additionally, there are several tutorials of variations for the basic Japanese and European weaves. Unfortunately, other than one or two very cool variations of the European 4-1 weave, the experienced chain makers may not learn much new information from this book.

The instructions are clearly illustrated and well written, perfect for beginning chain makers. The Gallery pages are beautiful and highlight a nice variety of chain applications including: serving pieces, clothing, sculpture and jewelry.

I have just begun getting into chain mail jewelry making and found this book exceedingly helpful. There's no soldering required for the projects in the book, just pliers, which as a beginner, I appreciated since at the moment I have no interest in getting into soldering.The book begins with some basic information on chain mail jewelry, which gave me a good idea of what I was getting myself into. Then it proceeds into several projects ranging from basic, intermediate, and advanced. The pictures, and illustrated instructions were so precise that I, with no previous experience of any kind, quickly made two of the basic projects as well as one of the intermediate. Each project begins with a picture of what the design will look like at the end, a list of the items required for assembly, then launches into detailed step by step instructions, each illustrated to show you exactly what to do. This book is very well written, thoughtfully laid out, as well as clear and concise. In addition, the assortment of jewelry projects are both beautiful and varied, sure to appeal to pretty much everyone. The gallery section at the end showcasing artists' work provides inspiration for those wanting to make designs of their own. I highly recommend this book if you're getting into chain mail jewelry making.

If you're into goth and renaissance styles, then you may like this book; however, I was expecting something more from Lark Books. I should have researched the author and realized that his specialty seems to be putting out miscellaneous craft books for Lark rather then being a jewelry or chain mail artist in his own right. The only instructions that are not for flat mail are for byzantine chain, and you can find better instructions for byzantine chain for free on the internet. Another big negative is that there are no sources given for wire and pre-made jump rings. Also, the author mentions in passing that there is such a thing as "aspect ratio", but he doesn't bother to mention what it is or that it may be critical to a successful piece. If you want well-done instructions in chain mail techniques for contemporary jewelry that can actually be worn to the office, e.g., the best book I've seen (and I've purchased all that I am aware of) is a book called "Chains by Becky". The postage from Canada will cause you to reconsider, but Becky's book is worth it. Excellent instruction is also available at Urban Maille (www.urbanmaille.com).

This is a great book to catch someone new to the hobby, but better content is available online. There are plenty of CGI tutorials and kits with directions for you to learn anything you want. This book does not cover what Aspect Ratios (ARs) are. Lacks any table/reference as to what AR is best for what weaves, etc.

What I would rather see is a chainmaille jewelry recipe 500 book. Ya know how they have those books with nothing but pictures? I want a book of pictures and recipes that say what weave was used if possible (I can websearch using that as a keyword for a tutorial), what size rings and how many. Chainmaille can be figured out from there.

I love this book! The instructions are clear and easy to understand. I have made the Hana-Gusari bracelet that is in the book and people stop me on the street to look at it. This is a must have book for chain mailers.

I found this book to be very detailed and the graphics make it easy for someone who has never done chain mail before to easily understand. I look forward to making some of the jewlery in the book. Wonderful book beautifully illustrated and explanations clear.

There are some standard patterns that one could learn anywhere, but for a beginner there are some fun projects that look good. Photography is nice, and the instructions are clear. There's enough here to learn the patterns and then go exploring to express your own creativity. Could have used a "suppliers" listing to point newbies in the right direction.

as my introduction to chain mail, i am utterly and completely addicted!! the book is quite informative, and the diagrams as to how to create each piece helps so much... makes it make sense!!!

This book is excellent for doing Chain Mail Jewelry. The designs are awesome and I thoroughly enjoyed doing some of necklaces. Anyone that is interested in doing Chain Mail Jewelry with Jump Rings, this is the book for guidelines and very thorough with information. The photography of the pictures were great too!

This is a very nice book, however, it doesn't tell the length of the necklaces that you are making...so you don't have a sense of how many jump rings you need to buy for each project. Otherwise, it is great.