Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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).

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.

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

All in all a good introduction to chainmaille, but definitely not a beginner book for those that are starting in jewelry making. I have learned chainmaille before so the instructions were easy for me to follow, but someone who has never done chainmaille will find it somewhat confusing especially if the beader has none/minimal experience with wire. This is why I gave the book a three star, but there are at least some great designs at the back of the book. The Ying-Yang pattern is great; I finished a bracelet from it.

Now that I own the book, I agree with everyone who gave it a five star rating. I had to laugh at a few of the "not favorable" reviews, because one reviewer had obviously NOT READ the book, how else could she have missed the ring-size charts on page 11. A couple of other reviewers had also obviously not looked at the description of the book. Mr. Plumlee is an expert on ancient chains and in this book he concentrated on showing how to make variations of the Byzantine Weave. THAT is what the book is about, and David does it brilliantly. One reviewer wrote that they were not interested in knowing how to make rings. Excuse me, but no serious chainmaille artist just buys rings, we do make our own in most metals. The book is also not exactly a "Beginning Chainmaille" book, even though it is possible for a complete novice to make the Byzantine Weave from David's superb instructions. You just have to look at the pictures and then READ the text along with the pic.....Duh!!!!! To prove my point, I showed the book to my adult daughter who had never made chainmaille. In 30 minutes she had made about half of a beautiful bracelet.
Five starts to Mr. Plumlee for an excellent book.

This is without a doubt the best book on making jewelery with chain and beads for beginners and those already proficient in chain mailling. Mainly based on Byzantine, the pictures are clear and the written instructions are very easy to follow. His many adaptations on the use of Byzantine weave are both innovative and beautiful. Take a bow Scott David Plumlee, I'm already recommending this one to all the members in my wire working and chain maille forum. Regards from one very happy owner of this great book.

Any interested in jewelry making possibilities will love Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry, a guide to creating chain and bead jewelry using both old designs and new ideas. Scott David Plumlee is an authority on ancient chain designs: his focus allows for an ideal blend of styles and offers step-by-step directions backed by color photos. From how to use specialty tools and selecting wire and beads to assembling over twenty unique necklaces, bracelets and earrings, Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry will reach novices, neo-pro jewelers and public libraries strong in crafts.

OK--so I'm an instructional book junkie! But I learned the chainmaille weaves from books and DVDs and now I'm teaching, so . . . This book is among the best. Most folks interested in jewelry have beads; if not, they know where to get them. When the creative juices stop flowing and all the weaves begin to look the same, the cure is in this book! Ideas begin to flow and suddenly the creative spirit is recreated. It is beautifully illustrated with excellent instructions. But the real beauty is that it makes you think "outside the box." Well worth the money--and more!!!

until i got to the design section, i had intended to return this book.

too much space is given to making jump rings by hand. while i can understand that some people may enjoy the process, i have too many things i want to do to spend time making jump rings when i can buy perfectly acceptable, handmade ones.

the instructions for actually joining the rings seem a bit terse. the techniques for adding beads are obvious and limited.

however, several of the designs in the last part of the book are very attractive and i intend to make at least two or three.

i would suggest (not recommend) this book to someone who already knows how to make chain mail/maille but doesn't have much experience with beads. it is not a beginner's book, and it doesn't do much with beads.

Whether you're just starting out or have been creating chainmail jewelry for a while, Plumlee's first book provides solid introductory information-from an overview of included chain styles to the tools, materials, and techniques needed to complete them-along with plenty of inspirational photos of original chain patterns. In addition, the techniques for creating clasps and earwires are easy to follow and produce great results. Some of the photos of gold wire seemed a bit green in my copy, but this is just a cosmetic issue that could have be corrected by the printer. Solid technique and instruction here. [...].