Customer Reviews

Create Jewelry: Pearls (Create Jewelry series)

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

 

 

The pearl, in all its lustrous beauty, stands apart from other gems in capturing our fascination. Why is this? Perhaps you will understand more after enjoying this knockout of a jewelry design book by Marlene Blessing and Jamie Hogsett, Create Jewelry: Pearls: Luxurious Designs to Make and Wear.
As depicted in the beloved portrait by Vermeer, "Girl with a Pearl Earring", there is a unique quality belonging to pearls. They always attract us. Perhaps it is because they express purity, beauty, innocence and yet, at the same time, a wonderful, sensuous mystery. This book, in all aspects, succeeds in expressing the loveliness of its subject, the pearl.

The projects are uniformly stunning and brilliantly executed. Some are classic and/or easy to make, like the long strand of Burgundy Swarovski pearls with Swarovski crystals, which is shown on the model, simply worn free and long, or "opera length", with a formal dress. The color of the pearls in that project was particularly appealing to me! The lengths are all explained, by the way. Types of pearls are, as well.
Some projects are pure high fashion: picture a model wearing glorious baroque black pearls in a fantastic Y shaped tassel design, with a white T-shirt and a cool black leather jacket! That one knocked my socks off!
These projects, and many more, entranced me as I read and enjoyed the history of pearls which is also a part of this luxurious book.

There is a mood to this design book which is uniformly elegant. The photography is very high fashion and fun to look at, and the research photos and writing consistently enhance the appeal of the book's projects. It is as if the research and history inspired the projects, in many cases. For example, in a "did you know..." segment, Elizabeth I, The Pearl Queen, is written about. Opposite is pictured a necklace which is called "Ocean Wonders". The lovely necklace looks as if it were definitely inspired by The portrait of Elizabeth I and the research concerning her. Very cool!
As for the projects themselves, I had so many favorites! "The Sacred Vows Lariat" is like nothing I have ever seen before! What a beauty! The creamy whites in that, and the shapes of the pearls were perfectly gorgeous! "Pearl Fusion" totally rocked me, both with use of color and innovative design, as did "The Midas Touch", a new take on the classic dog collar necklace.

There wasn't a single project I didn't like,in fact, and I loved every snippet of information under the heading of "did you know..."
Of course I wanted to know! I love pearls, and if YOU love pearls, have I got a book for you! Go no further! This fantastic collaboration, Create Jewelry:Pearls: Luxurious Designs to Make and Wear, is a wonder of a book. You will love it.

I first saw this book in my local library and thought it was a book about pearls. I had to order it because it was a new accession at the time. When I finally received the book it was a real revelation to find out that I could make these designs if I wanted to! I was very impressed with the wide range of modern jewelry shown and the details about how the designs were made up. There is not much information on the beading tools needed etc but this is easily found in other well priced books that Amazon sells on pearl jewelry making. The real strengths of this book are illustrating the wide range of pearls available today for jewelry making and the beautiful pieces that can be made. I live in Australia and the fact that I searched Amazon to find this book and was happy to pay the high shipping fees gives you some idea of the degree to which I enjoyed this book and wanted to own it.

I have several how-to jewelry books and this one is in the top 5 as far as having pieces that I will actually make. I consider my skills intermediate and will be making at least 4 of the projects as Christmas gifts. So many of these type books have what I consider to be outlandish designs and this one has really lovely, more traditional pieces. The instructions are clear, the supply lists complete (including sources to find components), and the pictures terrific. Enjoy!

If you are unfamiliar working with pearls, this is a good book for design ideas. I was disappointed that the author did not focus on how to string pearls; although, this is an introductory book on pearls. I found the history of pearls interesting. If you are interested in designs, this is the book for you.

You will have to read every steps in order to make them. Not for the visual learner!!

While you could copy the designs in "Create Jewelry: Pearls: Luxurious Designs to Make and Wear", you might consider this book as a roadmap for unusual ideas instead.


What stood out for me? The variety of shapes and ideas that were not just beads sitting on a thread. For example, there is a coin pearl cuff style bracelet that is wide and elegant--not your usual single toggle bracelet. A real statement. Burgundy seed beads are used as a base, but I'd probably try some small Swarovski crystals instead, and instead of white coin pearls, try blush or lavender ones. You see? You can really take off on these ideas and make them your own.


There are pearls threaded on beautiful ribbons and organdy strips, there are lariats, and long pendant chains. One stunning design had small beads wound around a pearl chain, with a polymer clay pendant. I didn't like the pendant but think, if you were a clay designer, you could use this chain idea for some really outstanding artisan designs. Of course, Interweave continues their tradition of excellent photography and even better handdrawn illustrations for the how-to.


If you aren't the rugged individualist, this book has enough pearl designs to keep you happy for a long time. If you are a designer, you can use the various methods of making bracelets and necklaces as templates for your own variations. That's why I like this book, it's versatile and stimulating to creativity. Big thumbs up.

I own almost every book written by these two authors. The photographs in each book written by these authors are amazing and very inspiring. The photos alone are worth the price.

The reason I've given this book 4 out of 5 stars is because this book is really not for the novice jewelry maker or beader. This book is really made for jewelry makers with a strong background & knowledge of the basic jewelry making steps (eg: crimping, stringing, pearl-knotting, color design, etc). Thus, without this basic knowledge, a novice jewelry maker or beader, may find some of the directions a bit overwhelming. However, if you have a basic knowledge of beading, I think you will find this book very inspirational. Once again, as I stated before, the photos alone are worth the price!

This book has some useful and interesting bits of information about pearls in jewelry throughout history, as well as an assortment of tips for using pearls in jewelry making that might not be obvious to a beginner. There were a few projects in this book appealed to me, "Catch of the Day," "Wild Trellis," "Coin of the Realm," and "The Midas Touch." The top-drilled green pearls for "Wild Trellis" have been discontinued at www.fusionbeads.com, though, so if you'd like to make that bracelet I suggest you buy the supplies now before they run out.
The instructions are easy enough to follow, and the pictures are very clear, as are the step-by-step illustrations.

I don't really know why I bought the book, as I am an advanced Jewelry Designer, but I was pleasantly surprised by the information and pearl history and quite inspired by the photography and the designs themselves. True there is nothing really 'groundbreaking', and techniques are standard if you are familiar with bead stringing. In this aspect it is run of the mill. But I admit I have this next to my bed and I have thumbed through it more than a handful of times and fallen asleep with a smile on my face dreaming of creating jewelry with pearls.

If you love pearls you will not be disappointed by this book. It is filed with beautiful designs, from a classic knotted pearl strand to edgy black pearl tassel necklace and a very chic modern Edwardian dog collar. Those were some of my favorites, but there is something for everyone in here!

In addition, there is a fantastic history of pearls that the author adds in along the way. Everything you could want to know, from technique to origins to ancient lore. I loved reading this book!!!