Simply Pearls: Designs for Creating Perfect Pearl Jewelry

these are not your grandmother's pearls. if you want to use pearls, and bring the attention right up to your face, these necklaces will do it. fabulous styles, easy to create.

This is the most beautiful book on pearls! I thought that I didn't really care for pearls until I read this book. The designs are fabulous.The technical section is adequate, and the index of projects, excellent. I can't wait to get started! This is a far, far better book than Making Designer Freshwater Pearl Jewelry, which has a good technical section, but boring, boring designs! That one I am returning immediately.

Simply Pearls is probably the best book on making pearl jewelry at this time. I've looked at Making Designer Pearl Jewelry from Quarry, and Create Jewelry: Pearls from Interweave. They're both good books (4 star) but this one is outstanding. This book starts with the lore and lure of pearls, types of pearls, the care of pearls. The techniques are at the back of the book and includes classic knotting of course, stringing and simple wire techniques. The layout of the book is unique and well done. The projects are photographed on a simple, elegant white background on two facing pages then the instructions are on the following pages. The first four projects are variations of the classic knotted pearl necklace. Next is the classic (and knotted) 3 strand, a favorite of various First Ladies, and a strung, contemporary version using irregular pearls and gold beads as accents. Following chapters incorporate gemstones, cubic zirconia and gold-filled beads using a variety of techniques: knotted tin cup or illusion, stringing, wirework such as the cover necklace and some using premade chain. There are also earrings to complement many of the necklace styles. Simply Pearls is also a good reference book. If you thumb through this book you'll notice that there's a lot of text in the book but it's easy and also fun to read.

this book opens up a world of possibilities for the pearl lover - I love the book

If you love the new styles of pearl plus briolette or pearl chip jewelry, you are going to love Nancy Alden's book. The designs shown are simple enough to accomplish, simple to inspire but not so unusual as to stunt your own creativity. I particularly liked the green garnet and pearl strand, but the pearl chip earrings had me wondering if it wasn't time I got out a pair of pliers and some jewelry wire. There are interesting combinations of pearls and briolettes and pearls and other beads. Advanced jewelry makers will probably not find a lot new in this book, but newer jewelry makers will find this is a great basic text for learning about making bead jewelry that features lustrous pearls, whether round, flat, irregular or seed.