Customer Reviews

Mostly Metals

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The basics of great jewelry design are covered in a fine title that covers the basics of jewelry design: plain loops, jump rings, chains and spacers. With each basic joining concept receiving a chapter of coverage and projects to reinforce learning, paired with color photos, MOSTLY METALS is a much more accessible jewelry title than most and should be considered the foundation of any beginner's attempt. Libraries catering to crafters and jewelry makers will find it a popular lend.

I see this as a beginners' book but also one for jewelry makers who have been bead stringing for awhile and want to expand into metals as well without having to deal with a torch or other tools. See my full review here:
http://jewelrymaking.about.com/od/metalwirebooks/a/071508.htm

Ever think there are just "too many beads?" This book makes "real" jewelry in my opinion! Karin uses the simplest available supplies and summarizes her basic techniques (pg.89) Any beginner will succeed. I think the Rosette Bracelet (pg.46) and the 3'n'3 Link Bracelet (pg.50) are handsome and professional. Her secret is linking together jump rings, of all things. And her Mother's Bracelet on pg.76 uses spacers as a design element.
Remember the Grandmas out there! My own favorite bracelet has the initials of my three grandchildren, small stones for their birth months, lots of spacers and closes with a perfect heart toggle. It was a loving Christmas gift. Guess who made that one? Not me! My daughter, Karin - the author.
Proud Mom

I just started making jewelry and this book is the only one I've found that has projects that I will actually wear. I agree with Karin's mom in her previous review... These projects make "real" jewelry!

This book is truly accessible (I am a complete beginner!) and the focus on using metals such as chain, jumprings and wire makes the final result look more professional than stringing beads on tiger tail. It does a good job of explaining the basic techniques, but it's most helpful for the projects. I've found myself coming up with lots of new designs based on the basic designs contained in the book.

I highly recommend!

I've been making jewelry for sometime now, using beading wire, just stringing and wanted to branch out. This book was very helpful in learning more about wirewrapping. I would recommend it.