Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

“Create Jewelry Glass: Brilliant Designs to Make and Wear” Book Review

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Create Jewelry: Glass: Brilliant Designs to Make and Wear (Create Jewelry series) by Marlene Blessing and Jamie Hogsett.

  • Paperback: 120 pages
  • Publisher: Interweave Press (April 1, 2009)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1596680679
  • ISBN-13: 978-1596680678

Another addition to the “Create Jewelry” book series by Interweave Press, Create Jewelry Glass does not disappoint.  Whether your style is saucy, sassy, flirty, elegant or dressy: this book has 21step-by-step projects to inspire your creativity.  Glass beads are affordable, readily available and in so many varieties that nearly all beaders and jewelry makers use them in their work.

This book is good for novice thru advanced jewelry makers.  The unique design projects are accented with sidebars throughout that have anecdotes, bits of history, and tips about glass beads.

Create Jewelry Glass features a wide range of techniques including not just stringing but also wireworking,  knotting, stitching, and bead weaving.  The book starts with how beads are made, then the projects which are into Classic, Special Occasion, and Fashion Forward categories. Following the projects portion of the book are sections on Techniques and Findings, Resources, and Related Reading.

There are so many gorgeous focal beads and projects in this book, I find it hard to narrow down to just a few. Rhumba is a multicolored bracelet project that utilizes Sarah Morans fabulous lampwork beads and beadwoven beads. Its a really innovative and gorgeously colored design.  Another two that I love are the Honey Blossom Earrings and Sweet Treat Bracelet.

Create Jewelry Glass showcases the beauty of glass beads and will inspire bead jewelrymakers to use their beads more creatively. It’s a great addition to any beadworker or jewelrymakers library.

Have you read?

Book Review Wednesday: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids, and I’ll admit this one is another of those books that makes me pause for a moment and ask, “Does this belong in Jewelry Making, Kids Crafts, or somewhere in between?”

Technically, it is not jewelry in the traditional necklace-and-earrings sense, but it is very much a beading book, and beading skills are such a useful doorway into jewelry making. For kids especially, learning how to thread beads, follow patterns, work with wire, and build little 3D shapes is a brilliant way to develop patience, fine motor skills, and confidence with craft materials.

The cover promises 3D beaded animal crafts for kids, with a focus on cute seed bead animals made with wire. The little fox on the cover is exactly the sort of project that catches attention — bright, cheerful, and very giftable. I can see this being a fun book for crafty kids, tweens, grandparents crafting with children, or even adults who secretly enjoy tiny beaded animals but pretend they are “helping the kids.”

What I like about this type of project is that it gives children a finished piece they can actually be proud of. These are not throwaway crafts. A beaded animal can become a bag charm, keychain, desk buddy, zipper pull, ornament, or little handmade gift. And if you have a child who loves collecting small things, well, prepare yourself — you may soon have an entire zoo made from seed beads.

There is also a nice connection here for beginner jewelry makers. Working with beads and wire in a simple 3D form helps build the same kind of careful hand skills used in beaded jewelry, wire wrapping, charms, and small accessories. So while I would be tempted to cross-post this over on our Kids Crafts section, I still think it earns its place here for anyone wanting beginner-friendly beading projects.

This book would suit kids who already enjoy detailed crafts, families looking for screen-free creative projects, or makers who want small bead projects that are playful rather than overly serious. I would suggest adult help for younger children, especially because seed beads and wire can be fiddly, and nobody needs a craft session ending with beads in the carpet forever. Although, let’s be honest, that may happen anyway.

My Shellie-style take? 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids looks like a fun, colourful and practical beading book for young makers who like cute projects with a real finished result. It is crafty, giftable, a little bit nostalgic, and a lovely stepping stone into more detailed beadwork and jewelry making later on.

You can find the book here: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids.