| I fell in love with Irina Meich’s
beautiful designs when I first purchased her 2009 release,
Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders, and several of
her following releases on wire wrapping with beads and cabochons.
Although I’ve been making wire wrap jewelry for years,
I can safely say you don’t have to be an expert to create
beautiful works of art following the clear directions and
accompanying photos in Wire Jewelry Beaded and Beautiful.
This issue is chocked full of over 40 designs to stir your
creative juices and help you make stunning pieces for yourself
or others, either as gifts or for sale. Among the designs
featured are coiling patterns, focal point frames and bails,
cabochons and focal point stones.
As always, Irina starts off with the basics, centering on
tools and techniques, including some new items (at least to
me), such as the use of Patina Gel and bracelet-making pliers.
The chasing hammer and bench block are used to make beautiful
spiral designs. Among them, great for beginners, are the “Pearl
Simplicity Pendant” and the “Spiral Zig Zag Earrings,”
and even the “Grecian Scroll Bracelet,” which
at first might seem a bit complicated. However, with Irina’s
easy to follow directions, you too can create stunning pieces
of jewelry, whether you’re making pendants, earrings,
bracelets or rings.
What I love most about this release is the section on “Focal
Point Frames and Bails” with wonderful designs that
make good use of beads and cabochons. Most everyone loves
pendants, and there’s a lovely “Lotus Pendant”
with variations that any beginner can make with stunning results.
All of Irina’s releases offer wonderful ideas and inspirations
for jewelry designers, and this latest release is no different.
In fact, Wire Jewelry: Beaded and Beautiful just proves her
designs keep getting better and better.
Notes: Irina Miech is a noted artist, teacher, and
author. This is her 8th book, and her first wire book since
2010.
Reviews of other titles by this author
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