Customer Reviews

Wire Style

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I love wire working and preordered this book because I liked the cover piece style and figured the odds were good I'd find something with 50 projects. I found I'd only DO about 3 of the 50, hence the 1 star.

This book has some basic chainmaille weaves in necklaces/bracelets, but they're very common and if you'd done any chainmaille jewelry research, you've probably already seen them and know them.

There are a few projects I recognize as being previously published, so a waste if you subscribe to beading magazines.

There are also a lot of the open hook and loose springy/coil designs. I find these completely impractical to wear for anyone that has hair or loves their winter sweaters.

The intro section at the beginning is great, but nothing new. I'd recommend Bead on a Wire by Sharilyn Miller instead of this book. Same great training, lots more designs based on components that serve as inspiration since they're more easily changed/intermixed.

I'll also point out that the picture of the completed project is shown, then it's all written out instructions. There are NO STEP-BY-STEP project photos to assist someone new to wireworking!

To end on a positive note, the 3 I liked were the cover piece "'S' is for Silver", the 4th amazon pic which shows you "Coiled Again" with lampwork beads, and I'll upload a photo of "Industrial Magic" which is a nice way to display glass discs if you like them.

Great pictures of finished product. Nice soft color throughout book. But readability? Wow, light green colored-page with slightly darker green font. Mustard-colored page with medium gray font. I strained to read it. And to have a book without step by step instructions with photos is just plain lazy. Like another reviewer here, I've seen nearly all of these projects in other magazines or books. Maybe a couple were new to me. There are many other books out there that actually show you in a picture what the steps should look like. What were you thinking?

This wire book has the most interesting and diverse jewelry designs I've seen in one collection. There's a smattering of everything and they're unique and playful. I can't decide which to make first. All the steps for making every project are photographed in detail in the beginning of the book. Very clear, very detailed photographs. The jewelry photography is beautiful - crisp, clear, easy to see details. There's also a good mix of skill levels - something for everyone. I love that the book design is clean and modern.
I emailed the author before purchasing to ask whether the designs were new or had already been published and she told me only two designs were already in Step by Step Wire Jewelry magazine.
It's the best wire jewelry book I've seen.

this book teaches me that i should search inside before buying a book. i loved the cover piece, so i bought it thinking there would be many like designs inside. there aren't. there is nothing wrong with the designs covered, just not exactly what i wanted. my fault.

i ordered this book based on the strength and beauty of the cover image alone. figuring that even another 25% of the book might be as good as the cover once opened, i was shocked silly by what faced me. there is only one 'bad' item in the entire book and that's really just my taste, not a definitive declaration.

if you can't find it here then it's not to be found! the directions are excellent with plenty of close up visuals where needed. my only complaint is that where the list of materials usually lie there are no specific suppliers for items such as specialty beads and accents and even the wire supplier used. it is becoming a standard amongst the best of books (and more basic) to include this information.

however, i won't take away that fifth star for the above mentioned tidbit because there are two full pages of "Sources" listed in the back of this treasure. i know where some of my holiday season gifts will coming from!

I was really looking forward to this book and wish now I could have seen it before I bought it. Overall the book is very disappointing. Some nice projects, but many of them are very poorly finished particularly some of the chain maille designs by one designer. I don't think they're worthy of being in a book to be quite frank. You expect quality finishing! The major gripe though is the poor layout of the project instructions. There are few to no step-by-step pictures for the actual projects, despite this being advertised on the back cover. This would make the projects very hard for beginners, particularly the complex chain maille ones. My advice would be to use your money for a really good wirework book like Sharilyn Millers!

t doesn't disappoint. Interweave books are all pretty spectacular, and this one is a cut above most wire wrapping books.
As usual, the first couple of chapters are introduction to tools and techniques. There are lots of pictures and explanations of where and how you use each tool which are well written, and completely demystify things like liver of sulphur and wire gauges. The technique introductions are easy to understand full color photos step by step, and make it very easy for beginners to learn the basics.
Then you get on to the projects, and while some of them are great for beginners, some would be too challenging. The projects are explained in text instructions without pictures, which could be challenging for some beginners. The projects are worth it though. They aren't what most people think of when they think of wire.There are no fancy intricate settings for cabochons or anything like that in this book, it's gorgeously wearable contemporary jewelry, and something for everyone's taste. Ronna Sarvas Weltman's silver and leather bracelet is a wonderful casual piece to wear with a teeshirt and jeans, while Judi L. Bombardier's freshwater pearl bracelet is the sort of thing I'd love to make for my daughter to wear to prom. For sheer understated elegance, editor Denise Peck's briolette earrings are perfect for anything I have to dress up for.
I love this book, I think a lot of beginners will be able to work from the written instructions, but some may need to pick up a book with step by step illustrated projects to get comfortable in the medium. If you've done some wirework before, this book is inspiring and a unique and great addition to your library. I plan to use this book with my 18 yo son who's recently developed an interest in making jewelry with wire, and while I do more doodling in wire then actually having a plan when I start, I do plan to make some of the designs in this treat of a book.

Making wire work jewelry is something anyone can try with a minimum of tools and supplies. If you are a wire worker or want to be then this book is one you will put on your holiday wishlist.

Wire Style has fifty designs in styles that range from fun to fabulous. They are constructed with both precious metal and craft wire, gemstones, beads and found objects. There is something to please just about everyone.

The book begins with a primer on basic tools and techniques for getting started so even a novice wireworker will be confident to do the projects. The projects are marked as Level 1, 2 and 3, and you will create bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pendants and even clasps. There are good step-by-step instructions in each project. You will also learn how to antique metal, make chain mail, hammering metal, create spirals, make jump rings, straighten wire, make ear wires, and create clasps. All the skills will help you become more secure with wirework, and you will find yourself wanting to experiment with your new skills. There is also a resource section in the back.

My favorite projects in the book are the "S is for Silver" (the cover image), Silver Springs Bracelet, and Dance all Night necklace. This book is great for beginners and itermediate wire workers. I hope the author does a sequel book with advanced projects as well.

I really liked many of the designs here, and although I was able to understand most of the written directions, there were a few projects where I really, really needed some step by step photos to illustrate how the piece is made. Especially the chain maille. I've done a little chain maille work and really enjoy it, so I was excited to see some included in the book, but written instructions are not enough.

Also, I loved the layout design, but the line weight of the font is way too fine and hard to read.

Wire Style is fabulous! Excellent introduction to tools, materials, and techniques. Anyone interested in wire work will love the wonderful range of projects included in this book. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. The photos are beautiful and you can really see the detail. I have been a fan of Ms. Peck and her magazine, Step by Step Wire Jewelry since it began. I highly recommend this book!