Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry: Techniques for Creating Dimensional Necklaces and Bracelets [Paperback]

Scott David Plumlee (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 27, 2006

Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry shows how to create beautiful, dimensional silver, copper, and brass chains using simple tools. The main style is based on the elegant, classical Byzantine pattern, and uses the Golden Ratio to determine the circumference of a chain’s interlocking rings based on the thickness of the wire. Illustrated step-by-step directions show how to calculate the circumference of the rings, how to wrap wire into coils, how to cut, and finally, how to assemble the chain. Starting from the basic Byzantine, new chain makers can then progress to increasingly Byzantine variations, including linear, knot, crown, and combination chains. Incorporating beads and charms offers endless possibilities for crafters who will soon, surely, be locked up in chains!

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Scott David Plumlee has led more than 140 workshops on chain jewelry at crafts venues nationwide since 2001. His work has been featured in Bead&Button and Art Jewelry magazines. He is an authority on ancient chain designs, has created more than sixty unique chain designs based on mathematical formulas. His chain-making workshops have been presented throughout Washington State. He now lives in Manhattan, Kansas.

www.davidchain.com

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft (October 27, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823022994
• ISBN-13: 978-0823022991
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.3 x 10.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #244,055 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Scott David Plumlee has been inspiring a new generation of chain jewelers over the past decade, leading hundreds of workshops nationwide. He is the author of Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry, Chain and Bead Jewelry Creative Connections, & Chain and Bead Jewelry Geometric Connections. A world traveler, Scott has studied ancient cultures and craft designs all over the globe and currently resides in sunny Taos, New Mexico.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Ultimately rather disappointing, January 22, 2007

By 

dryad (Mpls, MN) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry: Techniques for Creating Dimensional Necklaces and Bracelets (Paperback)

When I first saw the blurbs for this book, I was excited. I make chains and I love incorporating beads into my designs, so I had high hopes.

But when I got the book and started leafing through it, I found out that the bulk of the *designs* are based on Byzantine (a lovely chain, but there ARE others out there), and for the most part the beads are strung on Beadalon or Tigertail and woven into the chain. This was not what I was looking for at all. *sigh* Descriptions are given only for the two in two chain, the Inca Punto (or round) chain and the Byzantine.

Yes, some of the designs are pretty, but nothing spectacular from my perspective.

Irene From Petersen's Great Wire Jewelry has far more chain designs to offer (just be aware that the gauge table in the back is based on the Standard or Imperial Wire Guage system, whereas most of the US jewelry stores use B&S wire gauge system. And her publishers don't make that clear...which screwed up some of my earlier designs when I based my AR on her table).

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great design idea and "recipe" book!, June 12, 2007

By 

N. Smith (CT, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry: Techniques for Creating Dimensional Necklaces and Bracelets (Paperback)

I thought the directions were great and easy to follow, but I have some experience with most of these weaves. I wasn't looking for a "how to" book, you can see tons of CGI tutorials for free via the chainmailleartisans community. What I got most out of this book were design ideas, tips to weave beads into my chainmaille jewelry by tucking the jewelry wire through the rings, and the recipes of rings required! For everything I've tried from the book, the quantities and ring sizes have been dead on and easy to order. I appreciated the bead size info with the great pictures, it gave me the ability to say "I'd use something smaller/larger there" and know what to go buy instead of guessing at what size they used. I'd love to see more designs, more pictures, and more recipes of what to buy.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry, November 28, 2006

By 

E Black "E Black" (Illinois) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry: Techniques for Creating Dimensional Necklaces and Bracelets (Paperback)

Just rec'd the book this week, and from what I have read, it's great! I appreciate the information and detail covered in the first chapters. Information in other books have been lacking in this area. The source information listed in the back is appreciated. I am a glass bead maker and enjoy chain mail. This book offers great possibilities for combining the two. Look forward to trying out some of the patterns. Ellen