Customer Reviews

Simply Pearls: Designs for Creating Perfect Pearl Jewelry

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you love the new styles of pearl plus briolette or pearl chip jewelry, you are going to love Nancy Alden's book. The designs shown are simple enough to accomplish, simple to inspire but not so unusual as to stunt your own creativity.

I particularly liked the green garnet and pearl strand, but the pearl chip earrings had me wondering if it wasn't time I got out a pair of pliers and some jewelry wire. There are interesting combinations of pearls and briolettes and pearls and other beads.

Advanced jewelry makers will probably not find a lot new in this book, but newer jewelry makers will find this is a great basic text for learning about making bead jewelry that features lustrous pearls, whether round, flat, irregular or seed.

I viewed this book at a bookstore and really liked it. The instructions are easy to follow and the photos are excellent. The materials were not extravagant. Several of the pieces used charlottes as spacer beads rather than knots or precious metal beads. The patterns were basic enough to allow for substitutions. The section on pearl grades and quality was particularly helpful for someone who goes to beadshows and is overwhelmed by the selection.

Pearls are unique in the gem world in that they are made by living creatures rather than being mined from the earth. When an irritant is introduced (accidentally or intentionally in the case of cultured pearls) into a shellfish like a mollusk. In order to better tolerate the irritant, the mollusk coats the pearl with layers of a hard, smooth substance called nacre (rhymes with "acre") that mollusks have coating their shells--these shells are commonly known as mother-of-pearl.

Due to the nature of their creation high quality, round pearls can be pricy when shopping at a jewelry store. Paying a lot for pearls, however, is nothing new. Pearls have been considered elite jewels since ancient times. Cleopatra is rumored to have dissolved a priceless pearl in wine and drank it to illustrate Egypt's wealth to Mark Anthony. That anecdote is a favorite of Nancy Alden in her jewelry-making book Simply Pearls.

Alden begins her guide with an introduction detailing how pearls are created and how the cultured pearl industry in China has made pearls available at much lower prices for jewelry makers all over the world.

Even if you can't afford to work with pearls, this book provides clear instructions for basic jewelry making techniques such as stringing necklaces and working with head pins to make earrings. The book is also packed with exquisite pictures that will, if nothing else, serve as excellent eye candy and inspiration for the jewelry maker in you.

While Alden makes a point of emphasizing that pearls deserve respect and should be combined with quality materials, many of her designs could be adapted to use regular glass beads and base metal materials. The designs range from a simple beaded strand of pearls to a necklace simply known as "A lot of work--but worth it!" These varying designs even offer some interesting projects for advanced beaders.

this book opens up a world of possibilities for the pearl lover - I love the book

Simply Pearls is probably the best book on making pearl jewelry at this time. I've looked at Making Designer Pearl Jewelry from Quarry, and Create Jewelry: Pearls from Interweave. They're both good books (4 star) but this one is outstanding. This book starts with the lore and lure of pearls, types of pearls, the care of pearls. The techniques are at the back of the book and includes classic knotting of course, stringing and simple wire techniques.

The layout of the book is unique and well done. The projects are photographed on a simple, elegant white background on two facing pages then the instructions are on the following pages. The first four projects are variations of the classic knotted pearl necklace. Next is the classic (and knotted) 3 strand, a favorite of various First Ladies, and a strung, contemporary version using irregular pearls and gold beads as accents. Following chapters incorporate gemstones, cubic zirconia and gold-filled beads using a variety of techniques: knotted tin cup or illusion, stringing, wirework such as the cover necklace and some using premade chain. There are also earrings to complement many of the necklace styles.

Simply Pearls is also a good reference book. If you thumb through this book you'll notice that there's a lot of text in the book but it's easy and also fun to read.

This is the most beautiful book on pearls! I thought that I didn't really care for pearls until I read this book. The designs are fabulous.The technical section is adequate, and the index of projects, excellent. I can't wait to get started!

This is a far, far better book than Making Designer Freshwater Pearl Jewelry, which has a good technical section, but boring, boring designs! That one I am returning immediately.

I love pearls. I love the way they can really make a piece work and this book displays many great ideas. There's lots of information, and some beautiful pictures. I would rate it as a beginner book.

these are not your grandmother's pearls. if you want to use pearls, and bring the attention right up to your face, these necklaces will do it. fabulous styles, easy to create.

Large photos are nice, so you can see up close the designs. Very pretty project ideas and the beginning of the book has a good intro for those just starting to "get into" pearls. Would definitely recommend.

This is a great book. Photos are wonderful. I would not, however, recommend this for someone just beginning. A little knowledge under your belt is better, I think.