Dazzling Bead & Wire Crafts [Hardcover]

Mickey Baskett (Author), Inc. Prolific Impressions (Producer)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 28, 2005

Try the simple acts of stringing beads on a wire, and bending wires into unusual shapes, and you'll understand why this craft has become so popular. You can make fashion statements with jewelry or home décor features, using the simple diagrams, patterns, and full-color photos. Start with the Black Faceted Heart Drop Necklace & Earrings; Souvenir Coin Necklace; Grandmother's Photos Necklace; Green Cat's Eye Bracelet; Amethyst & Filigree Chocker & Earrings; Beads & Clay Charms Headband. Then turn to some home accents: Beaded Place Setting Napkin Ring & Placemat; Wine Bottle Band & Glass Charms; Asian Wind Chime; Sushi Set Chopstick Rest and Trimmed Chopsticks; Hanging Vase with Beaded Trim; Round Beaded Treasure Box. You'll want to make all 40 projects!

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (December 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402714459
• ISBN-13: 978-1402714450
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,749,894 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for intermediate to advanced beaders and adventurous beginners., June 1, 2006

By 

[e-mail] "www.allcrafts.net" (NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dazzling Bead & Wire Crafts (Hardcover)

Dazzling Bead & Wire Crafts is a book full of creative and different bead & wire projects. More than 50 projects cover the range from demure jewelry to purses to home accessories and gifts.

Many crafts books begin with a techniques section. There are many technques in this book, but they are part of the projects. Most of the projects contain an unusual idea or application that can be applied to other projects. The introduction is brief. The supplies section discusses and illustrates several non-traditional types of wire - armature wire, solder wire, buss wire, aluminum wire, and more. After a short section on tools, the projects begin. And the projects are exactly why you will like this book. They're fascinating.

Let's dive into some of my favorite projects in this book! A delicate pearl and wire choker uses pink colored wire to tremendous effect. A necklace for grandma uses scrapbooking supplies to frame photos of the grandchildren. Small jump rings are added to the frames to string them.

Polymer clay is used in several projects. In the Beads & Charms necklace, polymer clay is stamped with words inside bead charms and strung onto a necklace with wire wrapped beads. Polymer clay is used on an elegant headband. The clay is stamped and twisted head pins are inserted into each medallion. Polymer clay is also used in a few designs to create pendants.

Another unique element in these jewelry designs is the trendy bottle caps. In the Beaded Palms earrings, the edges of the bottle cap are punched and strung with seed beads.

In wirework, a homemade or store-bought jig can be used. Pegs are arranged so that you can bend and wrap the wire into intricate designs. This is used in one example to make a delicate wire twist bracelet. Between the wirework, pastel beads are wrapped in wire and seed beads. It's subtle but stunning. Another necklace design uses the jig to create delicate filigree.

Polymer clay and beads are used in a few projects to create unique purses. One is stitched from leather and others are made from various boxes.

The second section of the book contains projects for the home. The projects are varied and interesting:

-placemat trim
-glass charms
-hanging vase
-bell pull
-sushi set
-cocktail skewers
-key ring dangle
-ceiling fan pull
-decorated tins and boxes
-fish bowl trim
-bead mosaics
-suncatchers

There are more projects than I've listed, but these are some of the most diverse group of beadwork ideas that I've seen in awhile. With these ideas, you can use your beadwork skills to create gifts beyond necklaces, earrings and bracelets.

All of the projects have full page color photos. Many have patterns and diagrams, too. The table of contents and index are useful in finding projects quickly. Overall, this is an excellent book for those who like beads and wirework and are looking to expand their skills and ideas.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem for Beaders, April 22, 2009

By 

B. Presnell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dazzling Bead & Wire Crafts (Paperback)

What a terrific beading book! Beautiful illustrations and concise instructions on how to replicate the lovely pieces shown. I knew the minute I perused the book at my local library that it was a "must-have." If this book doesn't serve as inspiration for beaders of all levels, nothing will.