Customer Reviews

Links: Inspired Bead and Wire Jewelry Creations

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

There's the kind of jewelry where someone says, "Hey, cute earrings." Then, there's the kind of jewelry where someone grabs your arm and says, "Where did you get this bracelet!?" The jewelry projects featured in "Links" definitely fall into the latter category. This book features over 50 different and exquisite pieces.

The author, Jean Yates, chose stunning and unique beads for many of her projects, such as lampwork beads by Kim Miles, and polymer clay ones by Emma Ralph, to name a few. One of my favorite designs is actually the one on the cover: 'The Red Planet Necklace' featuring Ralph's chunky, sparkling polymer beads, with black rubber tubing and silver chain maille dangles strung on memory wire. It's truly fabulous. However, a beader doesn't have to drop a ton of money using top quality artist's beads, like the ones I just mentioned, to achieve similar effects. Each project is flexible that way.

For each design, the author discusses how she got her inspiration and encourages the reader to explore her own thoughts and imagination. "Links" also offers creative prompts to kick-start your own creative process.

I have a couple of other books by North Light Publishers, and they tend to create reliable, accurate and easy-to-follow instructional books. "Links" is full color, with large step-by-step photographs. The close-ups of the author's hands creating her jewelry make it almost like being in a class. (Without the cost of a class. I love that!) It especially helps with the chain maille projects.

To sum it up, if you didn't want to try all the projects right away (like I do) "Links" could double as a coffee table book when you're not making jewelry--the pieces are that pretty and the book is that beautiful!

If you're like me, you feel you have a definite future making to-die-for bejeweled adornments! I have actually ventured into the realm, and loved my brief forays. Like me, you may have felt stymied at several junctures, not knowing the specific techniques required for solid and elegant wire-wrapping, or the specs for creating intricate versions of basic chain maille.
Jean Yates Northlight book, Links, shows you how to do wire-wrapping, make chain maille Queen Guinevere would have been proud to wear, and other techniques to get you successfully beyond attaching a jump ring to a charm, putting that on a chain and calling it a bracelet. With dozens of easy to follow, and large, clear photographs, Jean lays out a workbook of step by step projects to suit almost any style, from an Art House Bracelet, Elegant Underwater Earrings, and an Indian Summer Necklace, to my favorites, the Golden Flowers Earrings (delicate) and her Mandala Earrings (retro-cool).
A few of Ms. Yates' references made me smile, the 'Sara Crewe' line of jewelry (yes, Sara Crewe, 'The Little Princess'!) and the Gigi Bracelet.
A rather nice feature is found on several projects where possible variations are explored, including suggestions for additional color schemes. That's particularly helpful if there's a single piece you want to duplicate for gift-giving to friends with dissimilar color faves!
The book commences with a thorough rundown of materials and techniques and progresses into the projects and instructions. There is a lovely metric conversion chart included, but I didn't understand, or really appreciate it being on the copyright info page; I would find it more useful placed at the end of the section on techniques, along with the Mohs Hardness scale which is at the very BACK of the book. But those are small details that don't really detract from an otherwise fun and useful addition to the jewelry maker's bookshelf.

I loved this book -- not just for the beautiful jewelry but for the way Jean encourages beaders of all skill levels to approach designing. The focus is on how you can use different inspirations (family and friends, nature, your bead box, or color) to help you make jewelry. The family and friends section is especially good: through her stories, Jean shows you the people behind her creations. Her knowledge and affection for jewelry (and people!) come through in all of her designs.

She's also got some bonus stuff: "Creative connections" are snippets from artists who do lampwork, chain maille, and polymer clay. And she suggests a few "Creative challenges" like using a favorite childhood book to inspire your design. As a jewelry designer, I thought the bonus material elevated this book above other instructional craft books.

My favorite projects: Magnificent Mineral Lariat and Mandala Earrings, where she turns bangle bracelets into huge hoop earrings. She's good at showing how to use available components in innovative ways and lists sources for all her materials. I do wish the Color section had more projects, but I can't complain because there are over 50 projects in the book. The jewelry is beautiful and the instructions are clear, but what's most appealing about this book is Jean's appreciation for the many inspirations in her life. It's definitely a good gift for anyone who's looking for a little inspiration!

The focus of this book is not only on creating projects, but on the creative process as well. Instead of covering principles of design, Jean Yates combines a description of what was in her mind while creating her designs with quotes from other artists.

The projects shown in the book are quite varied; there's something for virtually every taste. Large photos and clear descriptions make it easy to follow the processes involved in creating her designs, while her tips and "creative challenges" show the way for her readers to create their own.

The only criticism I have is that projects are not labeled "beginner," "intermediate," and so forth. That was not a problem for me, but might have benefited beginners.

Upon receiving my copy of LINKS, I was immediately struck by the beautiful jewelry piece featured on the cover. Anyone who can design an elegant necklace using black rubber tubing, bright-red polymer clay beads, and a sprinkling of sterling silver chain maille is an inspiration to me. I love mixing metals and unusual materials in my own jewelry, so I knew I'd found a kindred spirit in author Jean Yates.
And that is what I really like about this book--the mixing of not only materials but ideas that are sure to inspire new designs. The author/designer teaches basic bead stringing for making elegant necklaces and bracelets, using memory wire in a creative way with wooden beads, incorporating sections of hammered decorative chain into wire jewelry, wirework basics, lots of easy-to-advanced chain maille patterns, and plenty of earring designs.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for instruction in a variety of techniques, from basic bead stringing to wire jewelry made with hand tools. I think LINKS would be especially appealing to teens and young women who are just getting started in beadwork, who are looking for close-up step-by-step instruction as well as inspiration for their own jewelry designs.
Sharilyn Miller, author of Bead on a Wire

My shipment from Amazon has crossed the Atlantic to England & delivered into my hands a luscious, lavish & extraordinary book, namely 'Links' by the well known American jewellery designer, Jean Yates. I have the good fortune to own an extensive library of reference books, but I can't think of any other jewellery book or manual that explains the craft of jewellery design & creation as thoroughly & pertinently as 'Links'. I've been assembling jewellery for several years, but even so, I've learnt new techniques & I've certainly assimilated fresh perspectives about design.

Jean's designs are so glamorous & gloriously feminine - they celebrate the art of the coquette & her womanly wiles. Turn to page 88 & enjoy the allure of Jean's `Gigi Bracelet.' Trace back to page 62 & behold the enticing `Blooming Chain Maille Earrings'. Tiptoe through the pages once more & prepare for the glory of the 'Sun & Shadow Necklace' on page 118. Jean's jewellery is sumptuous and, as I once wrote in a fan letter:

'Am I Madame de Pompadour?' Where is my Salon?' These are the daydreams that drift through my head when I survey your earrings. I may long to have the brain of a blue stocking, but I want to look like a luscious courtesan which is why I am so grateful to you for these earrings. They make me feel like a marquise & I swear that my neck lengthens into that of an aristocratic when I wear them. They are a Rococo dream & blissfully baroque! Jean, without doubt, you are a very special magician!'

In `Links', Jean discusses & shares the wide ranging prompts, clues & cues which inspire her designs. In other words, she has created a source book for the imagination! The word 'inspirational' is bandied around a great deal now & there are times when I feel it's in danger of losing its lustre. 'Links' restores it - Jean's book puts 'inspirational' back on top of the value pile & far away from any commonplace usage.

`Links' is also an account of a voyage. It's an autobiography in jewellery of a remarkable woman's life. For those of us who have the privilege of knowing Jean, she has created an emotional touchstone for us all. For those of you who are new to her work, read her stories & reflect & imagine. I defy you not to be moved by her words or inspired by her designs & ideas.

This is an extraordinary & extravagant book, richly inventive & full of fascination. Read `Links`& be inspired - make your own links & begin to chart your unique stories.

Jennifer Dangerfield
www.jenniferdangerfield.co.uk

This book has been such an inspiation to me. Not only is everything so beautiful I want to own it, it is easy to read. The author writes as if she speaks only to you- her blog is wonderful also. I cannot recommend this book enough for all of us bead-maniacs!!!! LOVED IT!

Get ready to see ordinary materials in extraordinary ways! Love love LOVE ideas that are created with items I can find in my rural area.

The author uses readily available items . . .o-rings, for example. . .. to make a truly chic bracelet that could be worn out on the town or dress down casual. Clever uses of multiples...jump rings of different shapes for example....help trigger a 'what if' creativity spurt that takes hold of your muse with both hands and jolts the reader into thinking. . .why didn't I think of that? Of course, she uses beads and other easily found jewelry findings....but it's the unusual twist that she's added drew me in immediately.

Timeless techniques I know I'll use over and over again with clear, step-by-step color photos to guide you every step of the way even if you're new to the jewelry world.

The ordinary becomes 'art' in the author's hands. Jewelry findings used in unconventional ways, combinations that only come from a fertile imagination and personal reflection on how and why the design came into reality only serve to pull the reader into the ever evolving world of artisan designed jewelry.

Truly inspired and inspiring. . .a must have addition to your bookshelf.

This wondeful book by author Jean Yates has knocked me off my feet!!! From the stunning pictures, to the easy to handle descriptions of the projects, Ms. Yates has put together something truly special.

If you're finished with the same old boring jewelry, and are looking for some fresh ideas, this book is for you!!!!

This is a very nice book, but somehow I had expected more from it, given the other reviews. The best part is in helping people to see where inspiration comes from, and to encourage them to find and let loose their own creativity. I did not find the projects to be particularly interesting, except for the chain maille, since that's next on my list to learn. The photos are very clear and I think that they will be helpful. I feel like this would be a great book to have on hand at the bead shop where I work at weekends, because it is so approachable that even those who protest that they have no talent will find something worth trying. So, I'll probably be taking it into work and leaving it there.