Be Bold Jewelry REVIEWS turns 1 year old this month!
I can hardly believe that a whole year has passed since I started working on this project. It continues to be a labor of love. I hope you all have enjoyed reading the reviews and exploring all the free forums and pattern sites as much as I’ve enjoyed writing and posting them.
Sincerely,
MeganG
Instruction Quality: 1/4
Photo/Illustrations: 1/3
Projects: 3/3
Techniques Covered: Beadweaving, stringing, use of findings
Recommended For: Intermediate and Advanced beadweavers who like ultra-feminine jewelry.
Comments: I’ll start with the good. The projects in the book are great. They are lovely, elegant, and very feminine. I love that all 17 projects are unique. Too often jewelry books have 4 real ideas, but 5 variations of each of them. There is a great variety of technique used. Many of the stitches that have been gaining greater popularity in recent years are there: RAW, ndeble/herringbone, beading cabochons.
Also good: the photography of the jewelry. You will have no problems getting inspired here. The jewelry looks great. You can see all of it; no creative blurring of half a necklace in the background. There is also a resource guide in the back that provides a list of suppliers. However, some of these suppliers are wholesale only. Now that over a year has passed since this book came out, there is the ever increasing possibility that they will no longer carry all the supplies.
I really, really wish I could love this book. Because it is beautiful. At first glance I thought, “Wow, this looks fantastic.” Then I started getting into the nitty-gritty of the instructions and suddenly things weren’t looking quite so rosy.
![[cab+233.jpg]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_f1QR0TiLTXs/Smc_7JQR_eI/AAAAAAAAA7k/-0ThMY1eY_Q/s1600/cab%2B233.jpg)
Annika deGroot's Aspen Choker
deGroot’s book Micro-Macrame: 30 Beaded Designs for Jewelry using Crystals and Cords is near the top of my Birthday Wishlist. I’ll review once I get my grubby little hands on it!
Instruction Quality: 4/4
Photo/Illustrations: 3/3
Projects: 2/3
Techniques Covered: Knotting and some basic wire work
Recommended For: Beginners, possibly Intermediates looking for ideas they can adapt and take to the next level
Comments: This book is pretty much equal parts jewelry and other accessories (pouches, belts, headbands, etc). This review deals primarily with the jewelry making portion of the site. Some of the other projects have potential for inspiring an adaption to a jewelry piece, especially the belts and straps which could be reworked as necklaces or bracelets.
Often the “basic skills” section in jewelry making books are half-hearted attempts to quickly expose the reader to the different skills needed to finish the projects in a book. I’m very happy to report that this is not the case in this book! This is a solid primer. The directions for each knot type are clearly written and clearly shown in multiple photographs. The tips included are helpful. Included knots/patterns: overhand, lark’s head, half, square, repeating half knot sennit, square knot sennit, square knot with alternating fillers, alternating square knots, half hitch, double half hitch, Josephine, square knot pattern with alternating fillers and knots. Read the rest of this entry »
I’ve intended to participate in the marvelous Bead Journal Project for the last two years running, but have always missed the deadline to register. I completed my registration today and I can hardly wait for January so I can get started!
2010 will be the fourth Bead Journal Project. Hundreds of beaders from all over the world have participated over the years. The different styles and approaches are fantastic and very inspiring.
Curious? Find out more about the Bead Journal Project.
Ready to participate? Register on the BJP’s registration page.
See what the 2009 participants have been making on the BJP 2009 blogs.
Wonderful, wonderful stuff!
Instructions Quality: 2/4
Photo/Illustrations: .5/3
Projects: 1.5/3
Techniques Covered: Foiling, glossing, gluing
Recommended For: Beginners who do not need visual aids; paper crafters looking to try jewelry making.
Comments: There are a few really nice projects in this book, which makes it more of a shame that the book itself is so flawed. I’ll give it to you simply:
The good: Some pretty projects using interesting techniques with adequately written instructions.
The bad: The same small handful of techniques repeated in 40 variations. The only photos in the book were of finished pieces, piles of supplies, and occasionally the back of a piece.
Despite its flaws the book is worth a look since there are some cute ideas here. I suggest checking it out of your local library rather than buying this one out right. Read the rest of this entry »
Instructions Quality: 3.75/4
Photo/Illustrations: 3/3
Projects: 2.75/3
Techniques Covered: Machine sewing, hand sewing, finger knitting, wrapping
Recommended For: Beginners and intermediates looking for inspiration
Comments: This book has a lot to offer. It starts off with a solid introductory section that covers materials, equipment and some techniques. I always appreciate a materials section that includes tips on where to find/buy the materials. The techniques could have been fleshed out a bit more.
There are 25 projects in the book and templates are included at the back of the book. There are a few that repeat a similar look or technique, but for the most part the projects are unique. Not every project in this book will be right for everyone, but I think there are enough different styles and techniques that you should find a few different pieces that strike your fancy. The book did lose a quarter of a point because a few of the pieces looked more like craft projects turned into jewelry rather than pieces of jewelry. Having said that though, there are some really gorgeous pieces of jewelry in this book. The Vintage Rose Cuff and Choker is sumptuous, the Flower Garland is fun and beautiful, etc. Read the rest of this entry »
The project is a leather and bead bracelet. Instructions can be found here.
Free Project
I hope to start writing more of these in the future, so your comments are appreciated.
Please enjoy!
MG
Beadwork.About.com has a new caretaker!
Jennifer VanBenschoten is a very talented and knowledgeable bead artist so I’m looking forward to seeing what she does with the site. I know she has some product and book reviews on the horizon.
Sounds like she has a lot in store for us:
“My goals for the site are to make it engaging, informative and fun for both the beginning and advanced beader. I want to have a good mix of projects and articles – enough to get the beginner interested and feeling confident about their skills, and some advanced projects to provide a little bit of a challenge.” –Jen
Her site has only been live for a day, but go ahead and check it out.
Instruction Quality: 3.5/4
Photo/Illustrations: 3/3
Projects: 2/3
Techniques Covered: Chain mail
Recommended For: Beginners and intermediates; people who like costume jewelry.
Comments: The book contains a rather perfunctory introduction; touching briefly on what chain mail is, tools, materials, and finishing touches. The 29 projects range from Beginner to Advanced, but a beginner who has patience and is comfortable opening and closing the rings would be able to complete the advanced projects with no problems. One notable flaw is that all but one project, a byzantine necklace and earring set, is for flat mail. This gives a rather limited view of chain mail techniques.
The European 4-1 linking pattern is covered very nicely in the introductory material. I was a little surprised that some of the other common linking patterns were not singled out for this special attention, but instead they are only identified by a small header near the directions for the projects where they are used. The book is definitely geared towards completing the projects, not familiarizing the reader with chain mail techniques in general. ”Tip Boxes” are sprinkled throughout the book and they contain some very helpful tips. Read the rest of this entry »
