Customer Reviews

Creating Crystal Jewelry with Swarovski: 65 Sparkling Designs with Crystal Beads and Stones

5 star:		(38)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you really like the design on the cover (the sort of sunburst motif), you'll probably like this book--almost all the projects are done with that same design idea. I'm looking for more variety, esp. in projects like these, which are not cheap to make. (I know Swarovski-centered projects will usually cost me more, so I also want more "bang" in the finished item.)

I just received this book today so haven't made any of the projects yet, but I have throughly read through the book and instructions, and each project is gorgeous and unique! I pre-ordered this book back in June, so was eagerly looking forward to it since I love Laura McCabe's designs. If you love sparkly, yet elegant jewelry, then you will love this book!

The book starts out with a chapter devoted to covering all of the beading stitches you'll need to make the projects, such as peyote stitch, ndebele, etc. (If you're a beginner, however, you may need more instruction in these stitches than this book provides.) It then moves into sections that demonstrate how to bezel, make closures, and embellish, before moving into the 20 projects.

Each project and technique has clear, detailed instructions (including an estimate of how long the project will take), along with excellent diagrams to guide you in your beading. The projects also use more traditional Swarovski shapes such as bicones and rivolis, along with non-traditional shapes like squares.

The only drawback seems to be that some of the projects call for vintage crystals, which can be hard to find. There are some resources given for finding vintage crystals, however, along with information about modern-day equivalents.

All in all, it's a lovely book, and I can't wait to get started on some of the projects!

This book is great IF you haven't already spent money on the patterns that are available online. IF you haven't already paid $35 for one of the patterns, or $20 for others, then the book is great.

The diagrams and instructions in the book are far more descriptive than the patterns online, so I do appreciate that, I just wish that there had been something new, in the book, that I could have looked forward to.

The patterns in this book are easy to follow and have great visual instructions along with written instructions. The photographs are great with may close ups that can be viewed as another way to "check" your work.

The only draw back is that some of the materials for the projects are hard to find. I have not been able to find #15 charlottes in gold or silver so I substituted #15 seed beads (I understand that #15 charlottes are smaller than #15 seed beads, so using charlottes would have made "cuffing" the bezel easier). Also, I have not been able to find some of the crytstal sizes/shapes. Square crystals are extremely hard to find.

I do look forward to making multiple projects from this book.

I was really looking forward to "Creating Crystal Jewelry..." as I greatly admire and respect Laura McCabe, I believe that this was her first book release, which made it all the more tantalizing to wait for the insight and projects that have made her (as another reviewer said) one of today's beading greats.

Sadly, the book is a disappointment. Although the instructions are very clear and abundantly illustrated, the project on the front of the book is about all you are going to make. It seemed like most of the projects were variations on the one piece of cover art, which is nice, but I didn't buy a book to show me all sorts of variations I could have thought up myself.

Most of the projects feature Swarovki Rivolis, a disc shaped glittering stone which is the center stone in the cover art "flowers." Rivolis can also be purchased from other manufacturers for a lot less money, and it's no surprise that a Swarovski (sponsored?) book doesn't mention less costly alternatives. The projects call for these expensive stones, as well as 3mm and 2.5mm Swarovski bicones, which are relatively new and relatively rare. One gets the impression that the whole book was written as a big commercial for Swarovski. I don't mind Swarovki's ads, but normally I am not expected to pay for advertising. Another huge turn off was Laura's statement (paraphrased) that she alone created the current demand for such stones, because a few years ago, no one but she was interested in them. That is simply not true.

One cost saving and terrific learning tool is to make these projects with low cost materials the first time, saving the Real Deal Swarovskis for when one has mastered the technique and decided that the project is worth the relatively large expense of Swarovski beads. I made a trial version of the cover bracelet with pretty buttons in place of Rivolis and inexpensive Czech fire polished beads in place of the Swarovski bicones. It looked beautiful when it was finished, and is far more appropriate for daytime than the cover bracelet. I later made the bracelet with Rivolis and bicones. It looks every bit as nice as the cover bracelet - thanks to Laura's incredibly clear instructions and method of teaching. The only thing is that I really have no place to wear something like that. It's glittering away on a bracelet stand in my workroom, and I alone am there to see it sparkle.

All in all, the book is a mixed bag: pretty eye candy that repeats itself endlessly, and beautiful, clear directions that don't give you an option to learn technique without breaking the bank. Too bad. I expected so much more.

I ordered two copies, knowing this would be a great book. Upon it's arrival I ordered 10 more. This book is truly an honor and privlege to own. IT is GORGEOUS!

Lauras instructions and kits and now this book shine with her talent for design and impeccable taste in color. She is able to convey complex designs in simple terms. The instructions are very easy to follow. The photographs are inspiring and capture not only the beauty of Laura's work but, the crystals themselves. The graphics are clear and concise.

For those of you who might fear these projects are daunting, fear no more. I have been a customer of Lauras for quite sometime now and can tell you first hand that I have completed all the projects in this book and a few others ( perhaps she'll share in a second book) These wondrous works of art are do-able. All you need are the materials and the time.

Seems like there's a million beginner books for the beaded jewelry craze, but there are very few good books that teach more advanced/intricate designs. Great job showing the multiple variations of each design! I can't think of another book that's done this so thoroughly. That's a huge plus and show's the potential of color play. I appreciated the approximate time to make each piece as well. I absolutely love this book and will probably have a go at making at least one of each and every project! Definitely a top favorite in my collection of almost 200 craft and jewelry books. ;-)

This book not only supplies beautiful beading projects but it does so in a way that can be followed by any beader with some experience in the basic off loom stitches. I have bought many bead books where the details were so sketchy or vague as to be almost useless. Not so here. Laura does the directions very well and quite clearly. On her web site there is even an addendum in which she tells you exactly what beads she used in each project. I have NEVER seen that before in a bead book! Thanks for the great book, Laura!

Laura McCabe has a very natural approach to jewelry and it shows. You can see the echo of flowers, berries, and other organic-looking items, yet she also provides some very geometric designs. The book is a full-color, quality paperback with very easy to follow, fully illustrated, instructions. Laura makes it easy to visualize how the designs will look in other color schemes by providing images of variations on the designs. She provides a brief history of beads and jumps right into the techniques and stitches. From crystal beaded bead to crystal flower rings, Laura McCabe gives 65+ ways to use Swarovski crystal elements. A wonderful addition to a beader's collection. The techniques I believe, would have interest to the the intermediate and advanced beader. Many of the techniques in this book would aid in own personal designs also.

Be sure to visit Laura McCabe's website: www.justletmebead.com
here you can see a gallery of her work and order supplies and kits.

THIS IS ONE OF THE FINEST BEADING BOOKS I HAVE EVER PURCHASED. LAURA McCABE IS ONE OF THE GREATS IN THE BEADING INDUSTRY. HER DESIGNS ARE SUPERB, BUT EVEN BETTER HER DIRECTIONS ARE CLEAR AND VERY EASY TO FOLLOW. SHE ALSO PRESENTS GENERIC INFORMATION SO YOU CAN CREATE DESIGNS OF YOUR OWN. IT IS NOT A BOOK FOR BEGINNERS BUT RATHER FOR THOSE EXPERIENCED BEADERS THAT ARE LOOKING FOR NEW TECHNIQUES THAT WILL SET YOUR WORK APART FROM THE AVERAGE EVERYDAY RUN OF THE MILL JEWELERY THAT YOU SEE EVERYWHERE. I CANNOT RECOMMEND THIS BOOK MORE HIGHLY.