Be Bold Jewelry REVIEWS

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.

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Found this lovely micro-macrame & bead tutorial by Annika deGroot. The instructions are clear and there are tons of pictures. I’ve got all kinds of ideas in my head now!

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.  (more…)

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. (more…)

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.   (more…)

 

Instruction Quality: 3.5/4

Photo/Illustration: 3/3

Projects: 2/3

Techniques Covered: Cuff bracelet forming using fusing and some lampworking

Recommended for: Glass fusers with at least some experience looking to create fused glass cuff bracelets.

NOTE: Bracelet forming requires a small, top-opening kiln.  A removable kiln lid is recommended. Safety needs are increased since you will work in an open kiln.

Comments: The basics are covered well and  project instructions are fine for the most part, although there are some spelling mistakes that I found distracting. Where the book shines is its wonderful use photographs to illustrate the instructions. This book has photos of pretty much every step, no matter how small, which is great for visual learners. (more…)

Ease of Use: 4/5

Features: 2.5/5

Recommended For:  Beadweavers looking to create simple to intermediate patterns with software. People looking to try a pattern software for free. English, French, and Spanish reading beaders.

Comments: This is the best beading freeware I’ve seen. Its not always intuitive, and there isn’t much in the way of instructions available. However, the Pattern Wizard walks you through the hardest part of the process, so spend some time with the program and you’ll get the hang of it before to long. (more…)

Instruction Quality: 3/4

Photo/Illustration Quality: 2/3

Organization / Ease of Navigation: 2.5/3

Techniques Covered: Beadweaving, Basics, Finishing techniques

Recommended for: Beginning beaders and experienced beaders looking to add a new stitch to their repertoire.

Comments: This is a nice site that provides tutorials for almost all most popular stitches: Herringbone, Peyote, Brick, Daisy, St. Petersburg, etc. It also provides basics and finishing information and a nice little glossary. One nice touch is that terms found in the Glossary appear in bold throughout the site – sort of like in a textbook. An improvement that I would love to see would be links from each of those terms to the Glossary term. I realize that process would be pretty time intensive, so I can’t complain about it!  Although the site does not have any particular projects to complete, it does have thorough instructions, so with a little imagination you can effectively design your own pieces. The site provides some nice tips, for instance suggesting beginners first try Peyote using Delicas or sliver lined Czech seed beads since they have less of the “round” shape, making them easier to stitch. (more…)

Content Quality: 4.5/5

Organization / Ease of Navigation:  4.5/5

Regular Updates: Yes

Techniques Covered: Several beadweaving stitches, fringe, explains basic tools & supplies

Recommended For: Beginner beadweavers

Comments: The free online Guide to Beadwork is a nice resource for beginning beadweavers. Navigation of the site is pretty intuitive; there is always a button for returning to the table of contents and you can jump ahead to other sections of the same chapter without having to return to the main page. It did lose half a point for inconsistent labeling though. For instance the “next”  and “book” buttons appear in a few different places, forcing the user to hunt for it. (more…)