Bewitching Bead and Wire Jewelry- Easy Techniques for 40 Irresistible Projects is a collection by various designers of wire jewelry design that's creative, interesting and still manages to be written for the absolute beginner.

The pieces are gorgeous, they use a variety of techniques and mandrels. They are interesting and colorful. Very wearable art, the sort of things anyone could wear to any occasion and still unique enough to get commented on and noticed.

The introduction covers the basics of wire working with good illustrations and tips. The techniques are easy to understand, and so is the introduction to tools and supplies. There is also a wire gauge chart at the end of the book for help making conversions if you're switching wire types.

What makes the project instructions absolutely fabulous for people just beginning to work with wire is that they are very comprehensive with photos, illustrations and written instructions that take people step by step through creating uniform curves, spirals and waves in their projects. They show the various mandrels used and the mandrels are affordable. You have some specialty plier types which are easily found and affordable. The mandrels themselves are made from bottles, glasses, and round stick pens! So it helps beginning designers to see outside the expensive equipment and into what's easily available in their own home.

My favorite projects in this book are:

• Yuko Machida's Quartz Diamond Earrings- hoops featuring spiral cages and handmade ear wires, these are simply elegant and would look wonderful with casual clothes


• Bonnie Riconda's Double Jewel Hoops- on the other end of the spectrum, this pair of hoops is encrusted with shiny briolettes in different colors that almost look geode like, they appeal to the magpie in me and the technique would make a gorgeous pendant as well.


• Inna Gor's Teardrops and Maille Necklace- the graceful swags of curved wire make this piece something special. It could be dress up or dress down depending on metal type, finish type and beads used.


• Gordon Strickland's Charred Polymer Pendant- very affordable to make using craft wire, it does a really great job of explaining how to make swoops, loops and spirals to accent a bead.

I recommend this primarily for beginners-intermediate wireworkers, but even with my experience and collection of books I've found projects that really inspire me. Advanced wireworkers who like to follow instructions will find some great quick projects they might enjoy or elements they may incorporate into their own designs.

Published by Lark Books.
U.S.A. U.K.

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Lark Crafts provided this review copy of Bewitching Bead and Wire Jewelry to me free of charge for review purposes, my reviews are always my honest opinion.
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