Reviews

With this classic and her new book, Bugle Bead Bonanza: A Sparkling Collection of Jewelry Projects (Lark Jewelry Book), Jamie Cloud Eakin has established herself as one of the premier beading teacher-authors working today. Thank you, Jamie!

I searched every bead store I went to looking for information about beading around cabochons. I came across this book about three months ago. It's very detailed and great for the beginner. I'm very pleased with the book - it should be in every beginner seed beader's library. Even those of you who've been beading for a while, should check this book out. It has wonderful, colorful graphics, and easy steps to follow. Since I got this book, I've beaded around 30 cabochons!

This book often gets recommended with "The Art of Bead Embroidery" but they really are two different books. "The Art of Bead Embroidery" incorporates cabochons into the designs a lot and they are often the focal point, but it also uses a lot of different types of beads and stones as well into the creations. This is pretty much just bezelling cabochons and adding some fringe. Don't get me wrong... it gives you lots of creative ideas on how to do that and is a fabulous reference for that type of work... but it's a much narrower scope than "The Art of Bead Embroidery" is. Based on other reviews I bought this book thinking it was the same type of work as "The Art of Bead Embroidery" is. They are not. Great for what it is... just be aware of what that is.

i am starting to dabble in this field and this book is great!! so if you are a newbie and want to keep your head above water this is a great book!!

This is by far the best book for cabachons. Very easy to follow the instructions and beautiful ideas.

Reviews

My husband and I want to get more involved than the basics of chain maille. This book is filled with well thought out instructions as well as beautiful jewelry, especially the ones where beads are added. The author includes chain designs of his own as well as good overall knowledge of the craft. I think I am also going to get his other book as soon as possible. The only thing I have had trouble with is finding sources for the ring sizes which are measured in inside diameter and by wire gauge for the most part . Most U.S. distributors are not so precise on the measurements given.

This is an excellent choice if you are new to making your own jewelry, especially if you are interested in wire working,

This book is a gorgeous primer on doing jewelry quality chain mail pieces. The introduction is well written and covers the tools you'll be using and the materials and how best to pick beads to design jewelry with. The focus of this book is using pre-made jump rings, and he provides sources and sizes for all the projects in the book. He explains gauge and inner and outer diameter, then explains basic chain mail weaves and techniques. Chain mail is time consuming. There is a lot of repetitive motion. He offers tips to make it easier and suggests you take breaks as needed. The projects are lovely. You will need to read the instructions as well as look at the diagrams, but he's color coded the diagrams to show which rings are closed, which you're adding, and which rings are from the previous step. My one issue with the projects is that they are not laid out in order of difficulty, so you'll have to read the instructions for each and decide if you're ready for it. But don't let that intimidate you, some of the simplest projects, built around plain cable chains are stunning and success with those will give you the confidence to go to a more difficult project. The projects use a variety of ring types, from the sterling and gold filled you'd expect to make jewelry from, to more unusual materials like using neoprene rings to add color and stretch to designs. He has a guide in the back of the book for materials used and where to get them. I know a lot of people have been very interested in chain mail lately, and this book is a nice one to add to your library if it's something you've ever had an interest in making chain mail jewelry, or if you simply want to be able to make your own chains. My favorite projects in the book range in difficulty. The very easy and wearable Gypsy Cuff Earrings, the slightly more difficult Möbius Knot Bail, and the definitely have to take it one step at a time Bronze Age Bolo tie which features a Byzantine weave chain and a donut bezeled in chain mail.

I bought this book for ideas on how to "spiff-up" my chainmaille jewelry. Turns out, adding beads has had it selling almost twice as fast, with a better turn on profit. These designs are stylish and I wear them myself too! Definitely a two thumbs up for those who wish to add a little something to the art of chainmaille jewelry!

Chain mail jewelry is lovely but when beads are added it becomes spectacular. Learn techniques for threading beads onto chain mail, and eight weave patterns - then produce nearly thirty completed projects from anklets to necklaces with a fine pairing of 'how to' photos and instructions. Any crafts library strong in jewelry-making will find this outstanding in its features.

Reviews

I am probably a beginner/intermediate beader and I really enjoyed this book. There was a variety of different beading patterns (herringbone, peyote, right-angle weave, etc). There is something for everyone.

This is great... I am a long time novice beader and this book gives me all sorts of great idea.

I think this is a very good start on how to use seed beads. There are a number of lovely necklaces, bracelets and earrings with the pattern and explaination on how to make them. I gave this 5 stars because I am just learning to bead and this seemed like a really good book to help with getting me going.

If you are a beader this book is for you. It is fun and easy and something for a beginner or advanced beaders.

This book is specifically geared for beginners and uses no-nonsense language to explain how to do things in such a manner that it actually WORKS. Great care taken with the instructions and wonderful pictures/diagrams help people (like me) who have never even picked up a tube of beads and a beading needle before, and the projects are interesting enough to keep me going as I learn. I would recommend this book to ANYONE wanting to get started in beading.