Customer Reviews

Cool Jewels

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Cool Jewels, by Naomi Fujimoto, is a jewel itself! It is a book of such clarity that a beginning beader in her teenage years can enjoy it. Yet it is more than this: beaders of all ages, whether new to beading, or more experienced, will enjoy wonderful inspiration from this jewelry design book as well! I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.

It begins with the first [color coded] section called "Getting Started". This consists of colorful, concise and detailed photos and descriptions which will enlighten the reader as she makes her way through the early stages of understanding what it "takes to bead". All the supplies, tools, materials and techniques are shown in a well laid-out manner. This sort of section is very helpful to a beginner. Having it up front, nice and clear, is a great way to get the reader going!

Then Cool Jewels is divided into more color coded sections. These consist of "necklaces", "bracelets", "earrings", and a section called "a few more ideas".

I would say that this is an excellent way to clarify to a teenager how to choose a project. For example, does she want to make a bracelet? Go to the bracelet section and check it out! The offerings are beautifully designed and mindbogglingly different, but because of the way the book is laid out, easy to understand and always, always fun!

The author knows her stuff: she is Senior Editor at BeadStyle magazine, one of the most highly respected magazines in the beading world. She has an incredible grasp of what is hip and up to date. She knows what will appeal to teens, and yet her designs appeal to me, a jewelry designer myself, as well. Why? Because she is a flat-out top designer, and good designs know no age limit.

I love some of her designs in particular: one which I fell for instantly was called "Seeing Stars". What a gorgeous, gorgeous earring project!

She also adds variations to her projects (for example, "Seeing Stars" has a variation with funky charms on the ends which changes the look completely!--it is great!). I love getting variations on projects. It gives the reader a whole new perspective!

She guides the reader through creations such as the most delicate of bangle bracelets, always using the proper techniques, and yet being innovative enough so that the reader doesn't have to go out an buy a lot of extra equipment(that particular project, "Celestial circles", uses a drinking glass instead of a bracelet mandrel--what a relief not to have to buy a bracelet mandrel, if that project appeals to you, as it did to me!).

Additionally, she has a great eye for color. One example of this is her "Lucite brights" necklace. She employs simple lucite rings on chain to great effect. She adds lucite and chain earrings to that project as an extra. Her "It's a Wrap" bracelet, made of hot pink suede lace and stones, is stunning and perfect for high fashion as well as high school! I love that one!

As for what is hip and in for teens, her "Tokens of Affection" necklaces are trendy and cool, and look like a lot of fun to make. That is just one example--there are tons more! This book is packed with great projects!

In her "A few more ideas section", she really goes to town with some fab rings, a cool belt you can wear with your jeans, which also converts to a great necklace, and she also suggests how to host a jewelry party!

She lets the reader know exactly what to do to have a fun jewlery party at home with her whole group of pals, now that she is a beading expert!

Which is what she will be, if she is the teen getting this book.

As a parent, I beleve it is a super gift for the teen or young woman in your life who is looking for something to "be good at". It is great for self esteem to be good at something.

Cool Jewels carefully instructs and enthusiastically inspires. I would say YOU will be begging for that teen of yours to make YOU something from Cool Jewels very shortly after you present this book to her. Either that, or BOTH of you will be learning to create, taught the proper way, enjoying the experiences you are having together as you learn all the fun skills it takes to make fabulous, beautiful and COOL JEWELRY! This is a super book!

This book is chock full of all different beading projects for teens! Since I'm 20 years old myself, I'm practically still a teen myself, so I know what teenagers like to wear, and I'd wear everything in here!

I love that the author not only provides very thorough step-by-step instructions for each project, but also alternative design ideas to her projects to spark your own imagination. The instructions are also very easily understandable to a beader of any age or skill level.

Whether you or your teen are into funky, girly, or earthy styles full of charms, crystals, and pearls there are projects in here to accommodate you.

Another one of my favorite aspects of this book is that throughout the book it lists where you can find that particular crystal, pearl, bead, finding, etc. and also that it has a page full of websites in the back in which you can buy the supplies shown in the book, which I feel that other beading books lack this.

I would highly recommend this book for a beader of any level because there are opportunities to learn new skills as well and a look at all the colorful projects just makes me want to whip out my beads and get started!

I was excited to see that this was not just so ho-hum beading book. Had I seen this book on the shelves, I would have purchased it for the inspiration factor alone. As you can see, the charm bracelet on the cover is colorful and fun - and just a small example of the goodness you will find inside.

I love the jewelry in this book because it is simple and fun with a hip flair. The directions are clear and concise and the layout is definitely reminiscent of BeadStyle magazine so if you are a fan of the magazine than you will be a fan of this book. As an advanced beader, I know most of the techniques in this book, but there are a few tips, tricks, and techniques that even I didn't know. That makes it a great book for beginning and advanced beaders, alike.

One of my favorite projects are the beaded snowflakes. They are easy to make and look beautiful on your tree - plus they make great Christmas gifts.

My second favorite project is how to make your own hoop earrings. I love this tutorial because it shows you how to make your own earring findings as well, which is cool because I find it's difficult to find unique findings in bead and craft stores.

There's plenty more cool projects in this book, and as I mentioned before, it's worth the money for the inspiration alone!

Cool Jewels is designed to "teach you how to make trendy jewelry with the hottest materials and very little effort." Naomi covers the basic information about beads, findings, tools and materials, and techniques. There are 33 distinct jewelry projects, plus a snowflake design, and information on how to plan a jewelry party with friends.

I found the book's focus on talking to girls about making jewelry and spurring their creative efforts to be fresh and new. There are very few jewelry books that are written with younger girls in mind, and this one is a great example of what I would call a "bridge" book. By that I mean that it successfully bridges the gap between little girl plastic bead designs and designs that would appeal to grown women. It could be called a successful "tweener" book, perhaps. These designs could be described as chic, trendy, and hip. These are youthful designs, but not childlike.

If you want to spark a young girl's interest in designing jewelry, or help her knowledge of components and designs grow, this is a great book to achieve those ends. Further, if you want to offer a group of girls some options on a project they can complete during a party, or as part of a team goal, Cool Jewels is a great option.

COOL JEWELS: BEADING PROJECTS FOR TEENS packs in an outstanding set of step-by-step instructions paired with color photos and contributed by the author of BeadStyle Magazine. Techniques, tips and tricks pack a guide which tells how to turn beads into earrings, bracelets and more. Projects are illustrated by color photos, easy to produce, and perfect for beginners, making this a top pick for any library catering to teen crafters.

As a male jewelry maker I loved this book, because the more people that learn how to express themselves the better! But as I guy I wish there would have been some cool jewelry ideas for young men.

Yeah I know, guys only need a leather cord, a bead and it's cool, but I think there are something interesting ideas out there, perhaps they are saving them for Cool Jewels Part Two: His Style?

The lack of projects for guys is the only reason I gave it four stars, because the author really knows her stuff and explains it very well, the book is chocked full of great photos and easy-to-understand directions - but alas no projects for the guy in your life. Probably one of my favorite sections is the The BASICS section - it's just so easy to follow!

I guess one could use masculine stones for a more masculine look in the finished projects featured in the books.

This book is awesome! I am just beginning to learn how to bead and had no clue where to start. I was overwhelmed by the rows of clasps, wire, beads, and more at craft stores until I read this book. The color layouts are easy to view, instructions are very clear. I am in my 30's and I love the designs. I like how the author encourages you to make you own designs as well, but gives you tips to make it easy. The "Basics" section is very handy to flip back to when you need a reference. As soon as I read this book, I went out and purchased materials to start making my own jewelry!

I purchased this book for my 13 year old grand daughter...who has become fascinated with making bead jewellry.

She absolutely loves the book...and finds the details easy and very helpful!

In fact she tells me...that I should get a copy for myself!

I am amazed at the ability and creativeness that a young girl has....her designs

are already as good as an experienced beaders'.

And this book has been a great help!

Cool is a great description for this book, but I don't know about this being just for teens. I'm close to fifty and I found several pieces I fell in love with. With the exception of the hip adornment - my wide hips don't need highlighting - I'd make and wear each piece in the book.

This book is great for a beginner. It starts you out with the various types of beads and the "findings." For those like me who have no idea what findings are, the book explains this is a term used for jewelry pieces such as erring wires, clasps, etc. Different types of string to use for your beads is discussed along with the types of tools needed. You'll also be guided in the different method of techniques used.

The book holds forty easy to construct projects to make earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings, and even an ornament. Each project comes with step-by-step instructions as well as plenty of colorful photos.

Teenagers can be a wonderfully fickle bunch. Something that was trendy last week is out this week, never to be seen or worn again. Which is why the hobby of jewelry making is perfect for teen and tween girls. Necklaces, earrings and bracelets can be easily created and then taken apart and made into something else when the mood strikes. And any teen who wants to show off her creative skills will love Naomi Fujimoto's Cool Jewels: Beading Projects for Teens.

But don't let the title fool you, this book is great even for older girls (ahem) who are looking for some fresh ideas or beginners who are interested in jewelry making.

The book starts out with the basics of bead types, findings and tools needed, as well as a section on different techniques used to make jewelry. The rest of the book is divided into chapters concentrating on the different types of projects that can be made: necklaces, bracelets, earrings and a section of 'more ideas' that includes beaded snowflake ornaments, stack rings and a chain belt.

Cool Jewels also contains concise instructions and full-color photos of each project in several stages, which makes it helpful for beginners. Many different styles are illustrated, including a long and girly "Pretty in Pink" necklace, a simple pendant hung on a cord, a chunky wooden bracelet using memory wire, a bracelet bursting with charms and funky earrings made from chains. So whether your teen is princessy, crunchy or punky, she'll find something in this book to her liking. Fujimoto also includes instructions on how teens can host a cool jewels party and get creative with friends.

Although the book provides listings of internet sources, the majority of materials can easily be found at your local craft or beading store, making it perfect for those teens who are anxious to get started on these fun projects.

Difficulty: Newbie to Advanced Beginner.