Customer Reviews

Findings & Finishings (Beadwork How-To)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

this is one of the more satisfying Beadwork publications. there is a good amount of information on the subjects of the title, findings and finishings, enough to really help and inspire the beginning and intermediate beader, and also provide the experienced/expert beader with ideas.

along with commercial findings, the book gives examples of and instructions for custom, beader-made findings for bracelets, necklaces and earrings done with beads and wirework. there are projects that use the techniques and most of these are very good. there are suggestions for some quick and fun projects, too, especcially using earwires.

the finishings section includes a couple of fringe variations i haven't seen before, instructions for adding straps and attaching findings.

while none of the various ideas are presented in depth, there is a lot of useful information. the graphs are very good. the section on basic techniques is pretty basic itself and probably wouldn't help a real beginner, but would be be good at jogging the memory of an intermediate or experienced beader.

the gallery secton is, as usual with Beadwork books, worth the cover price. the examples range from fun and funky to beautiful and elegant. most demonstrate the finishing part of the book, with fringing and embellishments; only about half display original findings. since this book isn't about a single technique, it would have been nice to have the the techniques used in the gallery pieces identified (is that necklace crocheted or african helix? or embellished peyote?).

even with its drawbacks, this book definitely belongs in any beader's library. it has a lot useful information in one place (so much easier to use than going through several years of back issue magazines or all the other bead books in your library) and inspirational ideas and photos.

For beaders like me, the practical part of jewelry-making... the findings ... doesn't seem that exciting, but this book gives the subject some pizazz. First of all, the book is attractive, with photos and diagrams filling at least half of every page. Next, it's informative, starting with a little section on the history of how clasps and other jewelry parts were created and used since ancient times. A little section describes the different types of seed beads and which ones are best to use in various projects. A few tools are described, along with their uses.

There is a nice section, which to me was the most useful, on how to create your own earwires, bails and clasps, and how to create some basic "squiggles" and other shapes out of wire, using a jig. These wire shapes can be used in earring findings and clasps.

One section describes how different types of clasps work in their inner parts, and then describes how to attach them.

Quite a large part of the book is spent on using seed beads to create loop clasps, do different types of stitching, such as a peyote stitch, and how to finish a project that has been seed-beaded. The photos used as examples show beautiful projects in-process, and the final part, the gallery, also has a selection of gorgeous projects... no directions in the gallery, but intended for inspiration.

Depending on the beader's needs and interests, this book can be somewhat to very helpful, but I would consider it a good addition to the avid beader's library.

I purchased this book based on the 4 star review ratings and the title. While this is a beatiful book with many great pictures, there is very little on making your own findings. It is mostly about seed beads, something I am not very intersted in. There are also lots of purchased findings, but even a novice like me knows how to use a purchased clasp! If you want to learn how to make your own findings, buy another book. Bead on a Wire is much better and great for begineers.

The opening chapters give a simple but thorough overview of beads, threads, wires, tools you'll need, and the basics of working with beads and wire.

True to the title, the strength of this book is her chapters on findings and finishings. These ending details can take your bead work from homemade to wow!

The photos and instructions are very comprehensive. This book includes at least 100 different techniques using purchased findings and ones you make yourself. All types of findings are covered:

* Head and Eye Pins
* Spacing Bars and Connectors
* Terminals
* Spacers
* Crimps
* Clasps
* Ear Wires
* Pins

Many of these ideas are very innovative. I was even more fascinated by the finishings chapters. They included some great ideas for edges, fringes and original beadwork on findings.

The photo gallery will inspire you to branch out from her ideas even more. Highly recommended to take your beadwork to a new level of expertise.

This book is an excellent investment for a beginning beader.I've looked at alot of books about beading.This one covers all those questions I've had about how to use findings to put my jewelry pieces together,and finish them with a professional look.I highly recomend this book.

There are a number of inovative and enjoyable ideas in this little book. I say enjoyable because these are not the average findings or finishings. It helps to know some basics of beading, however a patient beginner can make these items because the instructions are well done and include picture guides. The rewards of finishing one of these pieces is well worth it. I had to try one more for a friend and got puffed up because she really liked it AND I knew she would not be seeing this bracelet on any one else. I say give this book a chance.

this is a great resource book. You don't just get great finding ideas and instructions, but beautiful examples of the work. It inspired some new ideas. Very enjoyable and beautiful.

Ms Bateman has found a kniche in jewelry making that has long been absent in writing, and Ms. Bateman's photo gallary demonstrates the prolific talents of many of today's greatest artists. Although only a few finishes/clasps/ending have been illustrated in her book, she has begun to fill a prominant creative void, both in bead and metal work.

This is an excellent book for those who want to create a complete piece by hand, no store bought items. This book gave me great inspiration for my making my own clasps. I was very pleased.

Donna
Atascadero, CA

Findings & Finishings is one of my favorite books on beadwork. The Sharon Bateman provides a wealth of ideas for making your jewelry your own. The instructions are very well done and Bateman also includes basic instructions for the most popular stitches used in beadwork. Her diagrams are excellent and easy to use. The information in the book is good for beginners and more advanced beaders.