Customer Reviews

Making Metal Beads: Techniques, Projects, Inspiration (Lark Jewelry Books)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I took this book to my advanced metal smithing class and it was an instant hit, nearly everyone thumbed through it and got some sort of inspiration. To be clear, nothing in this book is revolutionary. This books real strength was to show you how to combine familiar techniques and then showing you how to apply those techniques to fabricate metal beads.

Overall this is a very nice book, very well organized, good illustrations. I especially enjoyed the section that demonstrated how to take "blank" silver beads at the bead shop then modify them to suit your purposes. I think that illustrates the overall theme of this book, taking something easy, and then using it in a different way.

I know creating metal beads seems sort of "niche-y" but sometimes creating a chain isn't the right answer, and it's hard to find something that matches your work at a bead store. For that reason alone I would recommend buying this book--you never know when you might need it.

Whether you are a beginner or an experienced jewelry maker or simply a lover of beads, you will marvel at Making Metal Beads. This is simply the definitive book for making metal beads. There are just so many creative examples with beautiful photos from the author and other beadmakers, along with exceptionally clear instructions. This is a book written by an accomplished metalsmith and an experienced teacher. The book promises "techniques, projects, inspiration" and it delivers all three. The beads run the gamut from complete fabrication from metal sheet, to altering and embellishing commercial beads. Following the well written instructions you can make the beads as described, or use them as a reference for your own creative beadmaking endeavors. In addition to the instructions for creating beautiful beads, there is a section of the book devoted to finishing and stringing them.

This book not only contains some really good ideas but also has excellent clear instructions that are easy to follow. The pictures are in great colour and really display minute detail. The techniques used cover a wide range from simple to complex. This book is an inspirational delight.

I got this book for my wife, Linda, who has been a metalsmith for over 33 years. She has been making her own designed metal beads for years now and I new she would enjoy seeing other artists work and get some new ideas from this book. She was very excited with the book and looked through it from cover to cover right away. She found the book very informative in regards to showing a nice variety of simple bead projects with very good step by step instructions and list of tools needed for each type of bead.There are simple projects for the beginner as well as very advanced and challenging beads to make. She saw some work similar to her own beads by the inspiration photos and some of the projects. The photos of finished designed works by various metalsmiths were very beautiful. The only thing she wished to know was the selling price of the artists beads in the inspiration photos. She is a full time metalsmith/artist and would like to know what others on her level, sell their pieces or beads for since she has never met another making metal beads besides herself. She found the book very inspiring and feels if you have some knowledge of metalsmithing and want a great book on making metal beads,then this book is for you!

A very comprehensive book on the making of beads. Having this book earlier would have saved a lot of trial and error!
FG

This book is a wonderful read for experienced metalsmiths as well as beginners. The photos and instructions are superb! Every time I pick it up I find something else I want to try. I highly recommend this book!

Somehow, I managed to miss this fabulous book. However when I finally got around to purchasing it I kicked myself that it had taken so long. With 40 projects to work your way through you will be kept busy for many weeks, and what lovely projects they are. I found new ideas that could be used in both traditional metal smithing, and could also be applied to Metal Clay.A good solid introduction if needed on the basics of metal smithing, (Sawing, filing, Soldering etc. followed by Cold Connected Beads, Transforming Commercial Beads, Beads from Tubing, Fused Beads, Hydraulic Press Beads and a myriad of other techniques.

Clearly written and beautifully photographed - I can't wait to have some play time at my bench to try out some of these designs. Thanks Pauline.

Excellent book! It had great designs and easy instructions on how to create the beautiful beads. It also gives basic instructions for those unfamiliar with metal fabrication

If you like beads and working with metals than this book is for you. the pictures are wonderful and show many different approaches to metal beads and the project directions are very clear. The book inspires you to take the projects one step farther to make it your own. I highly reccomend this book

Only just beginning to create jewlery I found this book to be very informative. It provides tools and materials lists for all the projects inside and clear and easy to follow direction. Very inspirational and thought provoking.