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Totally Twisted

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Totally Twisted: Innovative Wirework and Art Glass Jewelry
by Kerry Bogert
Interweave Press


Art glass beads can present unique challenges to a designer. There's a risk of over designing and losing the beads in the shuffle. Art glass beads work best when they're integrated into a design in a way that both celebrates them and allows them to become a part of the whole. Kerry Bogert is a well known art glass bead maker and finished jewelry designer. Her new book Totally Twisted offers a fresh approach to wire working and design specifically focused on showcasing art glass beads, but also applicable to a variety of other beads. This book is delightful to view and filled with interesting new techniques and meticulous approaches to the familiar. How many wire books get you really excited about making clasps, links or ear wires?

I was particularly enamored of the color palettes explored in the designs and the way the book design itself reflected them. Too often, jewelry making books lack synergy because the book designer doesn't mirror the author's vision. Kudos to Lee Calderon for creating such a perfect backdrop for Kerry's dynamic designs. The book is beautiful and the step by step photographs are detailed, crisp and easy to follow. There is a definite aesthetic at work here and it's a truly appealing one. I loved the saturated color palettes and the wonderful sense of whimsy of Kerry's work.

If you're looking for some new ways to work with wire, you'll find them here. Coiling, wrapping, making links and chains, creating findings...this is one of those books you'll want to have in your studio to keep referencing. It's a fun read too, giving you a fascinating glimpse into the author's design process and experiences. I think this would make a terrific addition to any jewelry maker's library.

Margot Potter
Author The Impatient Beader Series, Beyond the Bead and Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed
[...]

There are a lot of designers who use beads and wire to make pretty jewelry of all sorts. However, nobody does this fantastic style better than Kerry Bogert! She is the queen of a wonderfully well thought out sort of exuberance which will delight you from page one. Kerry Bogert's book, Totally Twisted, is intended specifically to show readers how to work with brightly colored wire, sterling silver wire and beautiful art glass beads to make the kinds of jewelry you buy in boutiques. Yes, you can do it yourself! It's a lot of fun, too, with her guidance. The book begins with an introduction and a reference to Connie Fox. I had to laugh when I saw that Kerry had gotten her start on her own unique path by initially learning from Connie's great online tutorial. I had done the same thing! Her path "diverged in the woods" at that point however, as she set out to blaze new trails with her coiling, wireworking, and her lovely lampworked beads. She is a true original. Everything she makes is irresistible. Get ready to be blown away by the energetic yet always clearly explained pages of this remarkable book. After an excellent and thorough beginning, which even includes a fascinatingly, slightly different type of way to understand the color wheel, the reader will be introduced to the brilliant, charming, well made projects.
There isn't one I wouldn't wear in a New York Minute. The projects often have alternate views, which are terrific as well. Several of the projects which delighted me were: the very first one, "bang gals!" with several alternative choices of how to make these wonderful bangles, as well as "taken for a whirl", a pair of totally wild, orange and red swirled earrings with accents of turquoise and lime, which make me want to go on a road trip to anywhere, showing these off in the breeze as I drive an open convertible. There is an amazing bracelet called "scrollirific", which does have an lovely elegance to it, as the author says, due to the manner in which she combines the S links she has used to connect the beads. I also fell for "hook line and sinker", a superspecial necklace using one wonderful focal, combined with a lot of coiling wire and many jump rings. I loved the bubbly view of the alternative choice on that one, in particular. I have to say it is really difficult for me to stop writing about this book. Beads and wire are two of my favorite things in the jewelry world. I believe that if they haven't been yours as yet, try Kerry Bogert's amazing offering: Totally Twisted Innovative Wirework & Art Glass Jewelry. You will be jumping out of your seat with excitement at the way the author teaches her delightful manner of jewelry design. I was also impressed by her friends who participated by creating some of the beads. They are some of my favorite bead makers. I guarantee that if you are looking for fun, something different and special, as well as consistent high quality in your jewelry designs, Totally Twisted has your name on it!

Having been a fan of Kerry's beads and jewelry techniques for the past few years, I was excited when she announced she had a book in the works. Her use of color, mixed with whimsy and fresh ideas, is refreshing. Having seen her jewelry tutorials in past, I knew Totally Twisted was a must have.

From the pictures of finished pieces, to the closeups of how to create these pieces, to her clear list of materials and instructions, I am inspired to try new techniques. Being an intermediate wire work person, I appreciate the thoroughness and care Kerry gives to each project. Looking forward to getting twisted!

Totally Twisted is a beautifully conceived and executed book which details how to create wire jewelry incorporating lampworked beads. Obviously, there is a great deal of freedom in the materials that may be chosen to create the pieces, but it is wonderful to see what an artist selects and go from there. The designs are innovative and the clear instructions make them accessible to everyone.

I am not a jewelry artist, but rather someone who periodically makes jewelry -- at best a craftsperson. Throughout my life, it is an interest I have returned to again and again. Over the years, I have read numerous books on the subject of wire jewelry, but this one is quite distinctive. Clearly written and beautifully photographed, step- by-step the reader is guided through each project. Whether new to jewelry making or someone with experience, all will be able to create beautiful pieces.

The book starts out with an explanation of the craft, what tools and equipment are necessary, an inventory of the materials used in jewelry making and how to choose colors that work well together. A particularly useful section includes clear pictures and instructions detailing how to create clasps, earring hooks and other basics that give handmade pieces such a distinctive look. The back of the book includes a great list of suppliers (some of whom I use and know are good.)

The creations in the book revived my interest and I can't wait to start work. Some of the designs reflected in the twenty-four separate projects are ones I will replicate and some simply triggered my own ideas. This is a quality book and I would not hesitate to buy as a gift for anyone interested in jewelry making.

This book is a wonderful addition to your instructional jewelry library.

It goes beyond basic instructions to include alternate instructions for some basic techniques that use fewer tools, and streamline some of the wire-wrapping steps.


Designs are outstanding, including innovative and fun styles that aren't part of the other books in my collection. The instructions are clear, with pictures of the helpful points. Kerry has a good voice in her writing style for this book like she does in her blog. The instructions are well-written. The pictures are lovely, clear and crisp. They do delightful justice to her art jewelry.

Kerry's sense of fun and love of color is obvious in the bright and cheerful designs that are present in the book. You can certainly change the color schemes to match the materials that you have, but I personally love all the color.

I plan to make several of the pieces in this book. I recommend that you add this to your collection.

This book is Totally Twisted! And I mean that in a very good way.

If you love art glass beads and are looking for fun and creative ways to incorporate them into your jewelry projects, this is the book for you.
You'll learn wire working techniques, coiling, finishing and everything in between.

The instructions are very easy to follow and the photographic illustrations are rich and colorful and beautiful. This is one jewelry making book I will never regret purchasing. It's so nice to get a jewelry book that lives up to my expectations where so many others fall short.

If you are a beginner or advanced jewelry maker, this book will give you lots of ideas and inspiration. Get this book, you will not regret it!

Totally Twisted is a fantastic book! I've been making jewelry and selling it for many years and I am always looking for new techniques and ideas to pull from for my own designs. I have found lots of great designs and techniques in this book that I haven't seen in other places. I look forward to adapting some new ideas into my own work from Kerry's book. I would definitely recommend it to someone who is already comfortable with basic wire work, although the pictures and directions are so well written and shown that even someone who has not done much wire-work could probably produce these products with some practice.

Content is as fresh an charming. Bright, colorful imagery is included with well thought out instructions.

I have a huge selection of beading and jewelry books and this is now on the top of my list. I've been a fan of Kerry's work, so it's great to see her able to share her specialties through this book. I really enjoy the tone of the book because it feels like she's just there at the table working with you--plus, there is great photography that clearly demonstrates each step, including all the hand placement and tool specifics. That's a great thing in a bead book. :) So, not only can you stare for days at the great, fun beads and designs, you can actually learn something...even if you think you know how to do it already...like I did! haaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

What an amazing book! My book arrived and I was so delighted to receive it...Kerry Bogert is a truly talented lampwork artist and jewelry designer and this book really blew me away. From cover to cover, the color just pulls you in. The projects have beautiful photographs of her work and the fun fanciful descriptions are a delight. It is like a tropical vacation for the eye. The colors in her work bring a bright light to a dark winter day. I thoroughly enjoyed her whimsical writing style...it was like Kerry was sitting down next to you showing you every step it takes to make these beautiful pieces.
This is a book for beginner to expert...and a creative inspiration for everyone!