Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

Book Review: Felted Jewelry: 20 Stylish Designs

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Felted Jewelry: 20 Stylish Designs (Lark Jewelry Book) by Candace Cooper

  • Hardcover: 112 pages
  • Publisher: Lark Books (April 1, 2007)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1579908705
  • ISBN-13: 978-1579908706

One look at the cover and I said “YES!!!!” and quickly swiped it off the table at Bizarre Bazaar last year.  Finding books on felted jewelry isn’t easy, trust me=I searched and searched before I found this and Carol Cyphers books. I love the 3 dimensional stuff, and this book has it.

This is a  well rounded book with lots of projects that get you really excited about making felt jewelry. Ms. Cooper gives you a solid foundation in feltmaking, and you will want to make every project.  And even if one  of the projects doesn’t grab you, you will be so inspired by the book as a whole that you will feel confident to tweak it and put your own creative spin on it. I also love that embellishing is covered in here, to “gild the Lily” quite literally so to speak!

If you want to make felt jewelry that isn’t just plain balls-get this book. You won’t be sorry!

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Book Review Wednesday: Bead Jewelry Making For Beginners

There is something very satisfying about bead jewelry making. It is one of those crafts that feels easy to start, but still gives you that lovely “I actually made this” moment when you finish a bracelet, necklace, or pair of earrings.

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is Bead Jewelry Making for Beginners, and unlike the trinket dish book where I was torn between our polymer clay and jewelry sections, this one sits very neatly here on Jewelry Making. Beads, findings, clasps, wire, earrings — no category confusion this time.

This looks like a useful beginner-friendly book for anyone wanting to move beyond simply stringing beads and start understanding how handmade jewelry actually comes together. Things like choosing beads, adding clasps, using findings properly, and making pieces that sit nicely are the little details that can make a beginner project feel much more polished.

I always think bead jewelry is a lovely craft for quick handmade gifts too. A simple bracelet, pair of earrings, or beaded necklace can be made fairly quickly, and it is easy to personalise with favourite colours, birthstones, charms, or leftover beads from the stash. And yes, if you have ever tipped a packet of seed beads across the table, you already know this craft comes with its own tiny chaos.

This book would suit new jewelry makers, teens, handmade gift makers, or anyone who has a bead stash tucked away and wants a little guidance getting started. Pair it with a basic set of jewelry pliers, beading wire or stretch cord, clasps, jump rings, and a bead mat, and you are ready to go.

My Shellie-style take? Bead Jewelry Making for Beginners looks like a practical, approachable starting point for anyone wanting to learn simple beaded jewelry techniques without feeling overwhelmed.