Bead on a Wire: Making Handcrafted Wire and Beaded Jewelry (Paperback)

by Sharilyn Miller (Author)
Key Phrases: making jump rings, simple eye pin, double eye pin, Artificially Aging Jewelry, Single Eye Pin, Arty Choker (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Magazine editor and popular author Sharilyn Miller knows the jewelry making audience like no one else. In this latest book, she shows crafters of all levels how to get in on the popularity of jewelry and beading, with:

-An in-depth section on design and construction techniques that makes it a snap to get started -More than 20 step-by-step bead and wire jewelry projects, including gorgeous earrings, necklaces, brooches, and bracelets

It only takes a few basic steps to start making fashionable jewelry that's guaranteed to trigger compliments.

From the Author
Of all my books on various art and craft techniques, Bead on a Wire is my favorite. While I enjoy many arts and crafts — including fiber arts, rubber stamping on fabric, and artist books — wire-art jewelry has become my passion! I'm simply addicted to bending wire and shaping it into creative jewelry pieces.

In this new book, you'll learn so much about making your own jewelry components (jump rings, earring hooks, handmade clasps, bead connectors, wire links, and more), you'll never have to buy them again. It's so much more satisfying, too, to make professional-quality jewelry from the most basic materials. People who admire my jewelry often ask me, "Where did you get the kit?" There is no kit, I tell them. I start with straight wire, beads, and charms. Occasionally I will use a commercially made clasp, but 99 percent of my jewelry is handmade by me using a few simple tools. And no soldering! No harsh chemicals! Wire-art jewelry is probably the safest and the most satisfying craft you could ever undertake.

I hope you enjoy reading this book as much as I did writing it.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 3 edition (July 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581806507
• ISBN-13: 978-1581806502
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (97 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #6,133 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Metal Work
  #4 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Beadwork
  #6 in	Books > Home & Garden > Crafts & Hobbies > Jewelry

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

134 of 136 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding - Every Step of the way!, August 9, 2005

By	Biffybeans "rockin' the shekere" (Northeast, PA) - See all my reviews

Many other books leave important steps up to the imagination, or show shoddy craftsmanship on the completed pieces. Sharilyn's step by step imagery is near flawless and the completed pieces breathtaking. I am a huge fan of Sharilyn's ethnic inspired jewelry and it warms my heart when someone with so much talent is willing to share their passion for art with others. I was especially taken by the pins and several of the silver link variations.

I noticed that some of Sharilyn's techniques (basic wire wrapping techniques) are a bit different than those of other metal artists, and I find it refreshing to see alternative (and better) ways to achieve the same goal. (For those of us who couldn't make heads or tails out of other artist's tutorials.)

I personally am not a fan of the white handled Lindstrom pliers that Sharilyn favors. I find them too small and hard on my hands. (I use the Swanstrom ergonomic line) When looking to buy tools - pick up one of Rio Grande's Tool Catalogs and take notice of the many different options available. Buy the best that you can afford, and make sure that the tools are the right size for your hands.

For goodness sake, stop reading my ramblings and buy this book! You will not regret adding this wonderful book to your library.

PS - Sharilyn! When will you write us a book showing how to make those wonderful rings?

84 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read it, then go make something gorgeous!, January 4, 2006

By	Jean Yates "jean, jewelry designer, book and... (United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I found this book to be a super adjunct to my library of jewelry making books. I think that you need a small amount of experience or it might be ovewhelming to view the first section on tools, which is very comprehensive and could be daunting. However, if you really love learning, Sharilyn is just the person to teach you. With great photographs (and lots of them!), she properly demonstrates how to accomplish something as simple as making a jumpring (and how to open it correctly so you don't mess it up!). She then progresses to creations as fancy as making a festive and festooned charm watch you will want to wear right away, and some lovely bracelets, earrings and necklaces which are worth the time and effort. After all that, she throws in a description of how to oxidize (using a mindblowingly beautiful spiral bracelet she shows how to make, first) better than anyone I have ever read or listened to. She gives good advice about design and sturdiness (I hate thinking stuff I wear is going to break--that is why I like wiring to begn with) and she is generous in sharing her style. Take what you like fom this book, and go make something spectacular of your very own!

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent place to start, December 5, 2005

By	LB Williams (The Golden State) - See all my reviews

I agree with the other reviewers who praise this book. This is an excellent introduction to wire and bead craft. The instructions are all accompanied by step by step photographs and the necessary tools are listed and how to use them explained.

I looked through several books in the store and was extremely disappointed by what I call the "look at me" syndrome - that is too many pictures of the author's work and far too little instruction on how they did it.

In contrast, this book starts right out with the how to of the craft. The various techniques are nicely broken down into reasonable and clearly explained and demonstrated instructions. Then you get a plethora of lovely projects to practice on. Add to that, the photographer who shot the jewelry pieces is another scary talent in her own right. The pieces look gorgeous.

Now I must say, this is not the end all and know all of bead and wire but it will get you started making high quality jewelry. That is why Bead on a Wire made its way home with me while so many other similarly named books are still sitting pretty on the store shelf.

And as an aside, for as impressed as I was with just the book, I also checked out Sharilyn's web site. There are even more seriously cool looking pieces there. I would love to attend more than one of her classes!