Great Wire Jewelry: Projects & Techniques

Not much there

This book has a lot of the most popular and traditional techniques along with many other projects and how to’s. Step by step pretty clear instructions and demonstrations. I’m excited to make some of these jewelry items.

At 60 pages, this is a relatively small book, but it's packed full of instructions and information! The author opens with a brief discussion of materials and finishing methods. Each project is rated for difficulty, which ranges from easy/children through difficult. Subsequent chapters are arranged according to the technique that is used. These techniques include knitting, braiding, twisting, and working with jump rings. Each technique is introduced, with tips on materials and finishing and step-by-step instructions. The color diagrams are very clear, as are the color photographs of finished pieces. The projects require a minimal investment in materials. Instructions are provided for making some of the tools yourself. The back of the book includes a description of tools and a table of mandrel sizes for making jump rings.This is a focused book, targeted at the beginner or intermediate level. You won't find wire wrapping or soldering or an exhaustive overview of techniques. However, I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to explore solder-free chainmaking. This is an excellent book if you are seeking ideas for men's jewelry, chain maille, medieval jewelry, or Viking jewelry.

1) ATTENTION BEADERS! For those of you that are looking for new findings - this book is great! Especially since you probably have the experience with working with jump rings, headpins, eyepins, wire, and probably also have the tools neccessary to do the job. 2) ATTENTION BEGINNERS! If you are looking for a simple gift that looks fantastic - one that you can say you made yourself - this book is stellar. I would highly recommend skipping the knitting, making your own jump rings, using mandrels & using saws, though. If I were you, I would turn right to the section where the author demonstrates designs using jump rings, then go down to your favorite jewelry/craft supply and go BUY the jump rings you want to use. Assemble a project and then decide if you want to do another with more costly metals and supplies. You don't need an elaborate setup to create AWESOME jewelry. Once your comfortable with wire, and are ready for the next step, go back to the front where you can find the knitting & braiding instruction.3) ATTENTION ADVANCED! This is probably not the book for you. Most of the content of this book can be found in different parts of all other jewelry making books, especially those books used for instruction. This book is definitely a BEGINNER'S book, and you will probably get little or no useful information from it. To put it this way, the author suggests some projects are even suitable for children.

I just got this book, along with two others about a week ago. I never thought I could make professional looking jewelry, but with this book I did! I loved the easy chains I started out with, but then I ventured into the braided and knitted wire designs. I made the sinnet tie guard and it is so gorgeous! Took me about an hour, and this will be a terrific jewelry gift for men!In the book, she describes making tools in order to saw wire to get the jump rings which make up many of the chains here. I just used mandrels that we had bought in a craft store (Wild Wire kit) to make the wire coil and clipped thru each ring with my wire cutters. Maybe the result would be a little nicer with the saw, but let's face it -- we are not all comfortable with such tools. Also, if you don't have a piece of leather (required for several of the projects in here) I just used a piece of denim I cut out of an old pair of jeans I have around for sewing projects. It worked great.If you are a knitter or know a knitter, you will not have to invest in the different sized "mandrels". I also used my Wild Wire kit mandrels and my glass bead mandrels (I make lampworked glass beads).For making clasps, earring hooks and a bunch of really great tips for the beginner working with wire, I also recommend All Wired Up by Mark Lareau. Strictly a beginner book, I was looking for cool findings that I could make myself and this book has great suggestions.

This how-to book has all the right basics: a list of tools and materials, a description of skills you'll need, and a key to how difficult the projects are. There is enough detail on the kind of wire to use (and avoid) to help the reader avoid expensive mistakes. There are even instructions so the beginner can make, rather than purchase, some of the knitting and drawing equipment.The book is small and focused. If you want an overview of all types of wire jewelry, this is not the right book. If you are an advanced solderer looking for more projects, this solder-free book is not for you, either. Great Wire Jewelry is a great book for beginners with some patience, who want to learn, through practice, to become advanced wire workers who make their own necklace- and bracelet-quality chains. Much of the book is a type of knitted or woven jewelry. There is also a smaller section on chain mail and connecting jump rings to create necklaces. There are clear and easy-to-understand instructions on how to make each type of chain. The pictures are simple and the color coding of existing and just-added pieces are easy to grasp. There are tips along the way to help. The book has some added extras, too. Color photographs of completed projects are keyed with the name and page number for instructions. Instructions are reverse-keyed so you can find the picture first.For a small book of focused projects, it's easily worth the money.

What a find! Learn how to make chain mail and "viking knit" chain jewelry. Of particular interest to textile crafters, beaders and Renaissance Festival reenactors and enthusiasts. This info is unavailable elsewhere, as my 5-year search can attest. Inspiring photos. Clear graphics. Projects graded from 1-4 "Vikings". Warning: Have pliers and plenty of jump rings handy--you'll want to dive right in!