Customer Reviews

Make Your Own Great Earrings: Beads, Wire, Polymer Clay, Fabric, Found Objects

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As the author states: this is a book for "earring addicts". A little prior knowledge on how to use jewelry tools for forming and attaching loops to the earring wires may be necessary because these basic skills aren't well-explained. The instructions rely mostly on step-by-step explanations, and a photo of the finished piece, rather than diagrams.

I like this book because I have gotten lots of good ideas from it. In particular I like the section showing several designs for coiled wire and bead earrings. I'm also interested in some made with seed beads woven together in interesting designs, including a dangling birdhouse. Not having prior experience with weaving beads, the instructions may be a little difficult to follow, but I still am willing to try. Fortunately, these woven designs do have diagrams.

There are instructions for making earrings from all kinds of materials, including polymer clay, fused fabric that has a mosaic look, sheet metal formed into interesting shapes, gourds, and many other materials. Some of these materials require tools beyond traditional jewelry tools to work with, such as a jigsaw, metal file, and sewing machine. Although I think a few of the designs have a tacky out-dated look, the majority look quite boutiquish. For crafty earring lovers, there should be at least a few pieces here to inspire.

There's nothing in this book (in terms of technique) that can't be found elsewhere, and the examples are singularly uninspired.

I have been making jewlery as a hobby for 20 years. This book was inspiring, offering a broad spectrum of earring types with excellent pictures and instructions for each. I rate it highly for the variety of styles & clarity of instructions - good for beginner or a veteran!