Make Wire Beads

Rating:
Summary: Inspiring and easy
Review: Finally there is a wire bead making book that is not subtly selling equipment. No winding gadgets or jigs to buy - because you already have what you need in the junk drawer of your kitchen. With a few tools: dowels (I used crochetted hooks and knitting needles), pliers, cutters, a ruler and round and square wire, Lisa instructs on how to make rich and juicy beads you can be proud of. Not the usual flat, delicate and totally inappropriate-for-jewelry beads, these have heft. There are beads for every level of proficiency and interest: from simple to scrunch beads to specialty beads. Lisa doesn't just stop there. She includes tips on patination and finishing techniques. There is no filler in this book, just photos and instructions and comes in an easy-to-use format that lies open. The only disappointment is that the book's black and white photos do not do the beads justice and one is always referring to the colour cover. Here is a book that satisfies the wireworker's insatiable appetite for new techniques. And best of all, for the price of a lunch.

Rating:
Summary: WHAT A GAS!
Review: I really needed a diversion and this book was IT! I spent a few luxurious hours lost in making these gorgeous little beauties..it was fast, easy and very gratifying. The instructions are foolproof, very concise, and the comments the author makes really helps one avoid making mistakes BEFORE they happen.

The book is well laid out with lots of good advice and information about different types of wires and simple ways of changing the wire to create more complex looks and textures to the beads.

I highly recommend this book if you're looking to learn something new and original with wire...AND if you need a great quickie divesion.

Rating:
Summary: WHAT A GAS!
Review: I really needed a diversion and this book was IT! I spent a few luxurious hours lost in making these gorgeous little beauties..it was fast, easy and very gratifying. The instructions are foolproof, very concise, and the comments the author makes really helps one avoid making mistakes BEFORE they happen.

The book is well laid out with lots of good advice and information about different types of wires and simple ways of changing the wire to create more complex looks and textures to the beads.

I highly recommend this book if you're looking to learn something new and original with wire...AND if you need a great quickie divesion.

Rating:
Summary: I did not find this book helpful
Review: I was very unimpressed with this book. It seemed more an advertisement for other books than the instructional I was looking for. In all fairness, the instructions on how to make very simple beads were fine, but there were no illustrations and no directions on how to proceed after the simple beads were made.

Rating:
Summary: I did not find this book helpful
Review: Lisa Van Herik overcomes many of the problems common in instructional books, and she does it in such a way that you want to make beads right away. And with this book, you can.

This book is clear and follows a logical step-by-step method. It starts out with necessary tools and techniques and doesn't demand a lot of equipment or years of metalsmithing to make that first bead. Chapters 4 through 7 are organized so that the beads become increasingly challenging. At any point, you can combine techniques to create your own beads.

Van Herik obviously has tried out these instructions on beginners, because she alerts the reader to common mistakes and tells you how and why to avoid them. It's rare to find instructions that tell you why to avoid certain moves--by the time the reason becomes obvious, it's too late.

All the beads are pictured in the front of the book, laid out in a pleasing pattern. The numbers are not in order in the photograph. I've had to hunt for a few beads, but it's not a big problem. In the text,the beads are listed in numerical order, with instructions. A few pages show finished jewelry, and not all the beads shown in the jewelry are covered in the book. This is not uncommon in instructional books, but giving the page numbers for the instructions that ARE in the book would have made the problem go away.

Beginners might have problems winding wire on dowels. It's easy to wind it too tightly, and once the wire bites into the wood,it is difficult to remove. The problem is never mentioned, but I've encountered it often, particularly with square silver wire. The problem is easily solved by using various diameter knitting needles or welding rods.

This is a handy and well-thought out instructional book that the beginner will come to depend on and the experienced bead-maker will return to often for more ideas.

Rating:
Summary: Creative, fun, fast, easy.
Review: Lisa Van Herik's enthusiasm for her art is evident in every page of her book. She really loves the beads she's created and is very eager to share her techniques. The book is well written, nicely organized, and accompanied by helpful photographs. Lisa takes the reader by the hand, explaining in detail the tools you will need, the different types of wire you can work with, and defines the terms she will be using in the bead making instructions. Before you get to these instructions, called "recipes", she explains basic techniques. I found myself rummaging through my junk drawer, digging out scraps of wire and a pair of pliers, and grabbing a wooden spoon so I can use its handle in place of a dowel, just so I could try my hand at coiling wire, the first step in making wire beads. I had fun making a few coils, then I couldn't resist flipping through the recipes and trying my hand at a bead or two. This was so rewarding, I can only say that I have added a stop at the local hardware store to my list of things to do, so I can purchase some of the types of wires Lisa mentions in her recipes. I'm looking forward to making some really beautiful beads.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Weekend Activity
Review: Lisa Van Heriks' book "Make Wire Beads" made a believer out of me. I've been making beads in glass and raku fired clay for many years and it was an absolute treat to make beads from wire. I found the instructions clear and to the point and was able to complete several projects that I am proud of in a weekend. I didn't have many of the questions that you want to ask when working from a how-to book, everything was made readily apparent and with a little practice working with dowels, my beads came out beautifully. Thanks Lisa for showing me another outlet for my creativity!

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous Weekend Activity
Review: Lisa Van Heriks' book "Make Wire Beads" made a believer out of me. I've been making beads in glass and raku fired clay for many years and it was an absolute treat to make beads from wire. I found the instructions clear and to the point and was able to complete several projects that I am proud of in a weekend. I didn't have many of the questions that you want to ask when working from a how-to book, everything was made readily apparent and with a little practice working with dowels, my beads came out beautifully. Thanks Lisa for showing me another outlet for my creativity!

Rating:
Summary: More beads!
Review: What a wonderful book, especially for beginners. The instructions were very clear and concise. The techniques are quite unique and allow the reader to create with a great deal of confidence. Using readily available supplies anyone can create elegant beads and be proud to wear them. Even an experienced beader would find this book worth exploring for "new ideas". I can't wait for the next book !