Customer Reviews

Fabulous Woven Jewelry: Plaiting, Coiling, Knotting, Looping & Twining with Fiber & Metal (Lark Jewelry Books)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book has really nice looking projects and nice photos, but I am not sure that the book cover photo and title really gives an accurate portrayal of the contents. I was expecting bracelets, necklaces, etc, made of fiber AND metal, as the sub-title and photo suggest. About half of the projects include no metal or wire, to speak of.
Also, more annoying, about half of the projects are of amulet style pouches (bag on a string,) and pins. The other half of the projects are "necklaces." However, the "necklace" projects are really for the pendant ATTACHED to the necklace. In other words, there are no fully woven necklaces or bracelets, except for the ONE bracelet on the cover. That one cover bracelet is, in fact, the ONLY bracelet, in the book.
This is a nice book for weaving or macrame... good technique, easy to learn, beautiful projects. But, it is a weaving/macrame book, and should not even have mentioned metal in the title, or used a wire woven bracelet on the cover. Also, I think the term "Jewelry" is a little broad for the projects in this book.
I will probably make some of the more modern looking projects, such as the one on the cover, and the fishbone "necklace" pendant. I would not, however, have purchased this book if I had taken a preview.

Best thing in the book was the cover photo. I think that most people think of metal and colored glass, stones, etc when they think of making jewelry. This book had little to interest someone who wanted to make or learn something like that-but my friends who are weavers, or who knit, LOVED it. My friends who make jewelry hated it.
It is possible to do all of these fiber techniques with metal instead of fiber, (ie: Arlene Fisch, Mary Lee Hu, Barbara Berk, etc.) and that is what I thought the book would be about. It was disappointing. I loved the piece on the cover.

This book is eye-opening and inspiring. The designs have an old-world feel to them and the pictures are simply stunning. The designs were unique and seem to stay with you for a long time. The author applies (basket) weaving techniques and uses different mediums and rewrite the meaning of woven jewelry for many. The instructions are well-written and specific, and the illustrations are easy to understand. In fact, when I took a class with a known wire artist Dallas Lovett, he commented that this book is very well-written. I would definately recommend this book for beginners as well as beaders who are interested in exploring different mediums and techniques.

This is another Lark book that is the cream of the crop in my opinion. I stumbled upon this book and bought it as soon as I flipped through it and have not been disappointed. Mary Hettmansperger does an excellent job explaining each of the techniques covered (plaiting, coiling, knotting, looping and twining) and shows numerous examples of using each technique in different projects. She also includes many photos of work done by other artists using the techniques in different ways. After spending time learning the basics of how to plait and coil, I have had great fun creating my own pieces by playing with materials in new ways. If you are looking for inspiration in how to use metal or other materials in what are traditionally fiber techniques, this book can really help you do that - it is well worth the investment. And if you are looking for specific projects to make, I also think she has some very nice ones and provides very clear, detailed instructions for completion.

The photo on the cover of this book is beautiful. I am searching for innovative techniques to incorporate into my textile designs and art quilts. I'm not at all interested in the specific projects illustrated in the book, however I was inspired by some of the techniqes. If you are an artist who likes to work in mixed media, then this book will serve you well. If you're coming to the table with your own sense of curiousity & adventure and you just need to see some fresh takes...This book will get the creative juices flowing.

I am primarily a jewelry artist, and wanted to incorporate weaving techniques into my work. This book is amazing! I was fortunate enough to be able to take a class from Mary, and found that the illustrations and directions made for perfect "notes" from the class. Don't be intimidated by the techniques..... they're very simple and easy to follow. The trick is to practice the technique and then determine how to incorporate it into YOUR work with your imagination! LOVE the book!

I found this book very disapointing. I think it was about 99% metal and 1% fiber, and since I am a fiber artist, I found very little of use to me. I think the title is misleading, and the picture on the cover is probably the best piece in the book. I wish I could return it! If I had been able to thumb through the book before purchase, I never would have bought it.

Interesting and informative on some ways to weave, but I think the book tried too hard to appeal to a large audience. I bought the book because it billed itself as a metal and fiber book, but most of the projects contained within are fiber related and there are not many true metal projects shown. If you are resourceful and use your imagination you can translate some of the projects and adapt them to your needs. Overall a nice book with pretty pictures and some useful information, but too scattered in scope to really be worthwhile.

Before I read this book, I had not considered how basketry techniques and materials might be applied to jewelry. Wire, metal sheets, paper and found objects are also used. Very good illustrations and a nice selection of projects. This book really expanded my horizons.

This book was great. Nice illustrations and ideas for Projects. Had just enough directions for someone who has not woven before and using items like stones, string, twigs and metal, there is literally something for everyone. I like the amulet bad ideas.
If you are looking for new ideas, this book has some!