Lapidary Journal Media Reviews: Books, Video & Software

Making Bead & Wire Jewelry: Simple Techniques, Stunning Designs
by Dawn Cusik
published by Lark Books, Asheville, NC, 2000.
Hard-cover, color, 8-1/2" x 10-1/4", 128 pages, $27.95.

Reviewed by Pat Moses-Caudel.

The appeal of creating beautiful jewelry using wire is growing by leaps and bounds, with new designs and styles that can amaze. No longer is wire considered something to be used for fixing fences and hanging pictures. Wire is now the base of truly unique and beautiful styles of jewelry. It is also plentiful in everything from copper and brass to colored wires to fine silver and 14K gold. When beads are added to the equation, you get magic.

Making Bead & Wire Jewelry is magic. This lovely book is a wonderful introduction to the varied and unique designs that can be created with simple tools by anyone. There are attractive color pictures, as well as tips to assist you in your project. A gauge is included to show the size of beads in millimeters, and discussing construction of the project is explained, from basic wire wrap techniques to findings needed to complete the piece.

There are 75 projects that range from simple to complex, including instructions for all of them. Some more advanced projects, without step-by-step drawings or photographs, may seem daunting to beginners, but once you become used to working in wire, you will grow into the tougher ones. Using a jig, you can create identical pieces. This would be perfect for making a necklace or matching earrings, etc. The jig diagrams are in the back of the book.

There are also 15 contributing designers, all well known in their fields, offering pieces that will give you an overview of what is happening in new wire designs. It was fun looking through the book and recognizing the works of friends and familiar artists. The bioís that are included show that each artist is very well versed in his or her passion for jewelry.