Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, sometimes you CAN judge a book by its cover!!, September 28, 2007
Hot diggity ... It's books like these that will keep me (occasionally) gambling and making risky purchases based on a title and its cover. And what a bargain, even if you were to pay the full US price.
I tend not to follow instructions, using books as inspiration and stepping stones to final projects. But if you prefer great detailed how-tos, I think you will be pleased here, without being overwhelmed. The materials lists are exhaustive, and the design tips with each project are quite useful and readable.
And the photos - ooohh la la, what a treat. Each project gets at least three different visuals, and if you drool over vintage bits and pieces, you will certainly need a napkin as you peruse this feast.
In the into, Meng defines "vintage", but I am still not sure just what makes these tidbits "French", except that the author runs a shop called "French General". But this book is not a hard sell for the shop, or even for things a la France. Instead, think turn-of-the-century vintage, or maybe a bit Victorian, if you want to understand the flavor of this book.
And if you like scrapbooking or other forms of memory-making, you will be inspired by the page layouts. Very creative, beautiful, and sublime. I love using buttons in my jewelry gifts, and the subtitle really sold me on this book: "Creating with vintage beads, buttons, & baubles". The word "Celery Sticks" could have been included, and I still would have snapped this one up.
Trust me on this one, or trust the other reviewers!! You will be googling and eBaying all over the world to collect items to use in your own creations.
Superb. If you liked "Beautiful Button Jewelry" or "Charmed", or even if you never heard of those titles, you will find this a tasty and economical treat.
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41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Breathlessly Beautiful!, October 4, 2007
I had no idea a jewelry book could be so perfect in so many ways until I opened this gorgeous creation by Kaari Meng. French-Inspired Jewelery is exquisite. In its photographs, layout, inspiration, and concept, it is so stunning I feel when looking at it as if I am being handed over some form of beauty I have never experienced before.
The photos are almost 3-D and the arrangements are extravagant and luxurious. All are appropriate to French rural life in the old days, and are split up into sections, such as The Sea, The Circus, Vines, and so on. The projects are not terribly difficult. Actually I found the author's website in her book. You can go there and replicate certain ones if you choose. I make my own jewelry, but I certainly respect good design and Kaari Meng really knows her way around vintage beads and lovely bracelets and necklaces!
It is a total pleasure to own and read this book. I recommend it thoroughly to any sybarite who loves beauty of any sort, and in particular to anyone who loves to make jewelry!
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27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Eye candy and easy to do, September 15, 2007
This has to be one of the most visually stunning books on beaded jewelry I've seen. There are no step by step photos but the graphics and layout gives this book a coffee-table look. The jewelry is practical and easy to do.
French vintage jewelry is more colorful than American and British style which was influenced by the somber colors of Victorian and Edwardian England. The book start with the usual discussion of tools, supplies and techniques but the layout and photos makes this a treat. Even the wire wrapping tuturial has vintage type artwork.
The book is divided into chapters based on themes such as sea (La Mer),
which uses soft blues and corals, marketplace (La Marche) which uses fruit beads, garden (Le Jardin)using vintage flower beads, the churchyard, (La cimetiere) using buttons and subdued colors.
Many of the projects use antique-type chain and buttons, stampings and perforated disks. The many side-bars thoughout the book give hints on using vintage type findings and materials, making substitutions and design hints. The back of the book gives sources for finding vintage-type beads and findings.
All in all, French Inspired jewelry is a good read and user friendly book at the same time.
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