A Bounty of Bead & Wire Earrings: 50 Fun, Fast Jewelry Projects by Nathalie Mornu
This is a book I received from Lark Crafts as a review copy back in December. It took me a little while to get to this title due to the holidays, illness and travel. As I have said, I am not a jewelry maker, but I found some interesting things to inspire me in this book and am glad I finally was able to review it.
First, there are lots of great photos. There are photos of the projects, inspiration photos, such as the various “Earrings Around the World” photos, clear photos of tools and processes as well as large images of each project. The photos really make this book.
The other element that I like about this book is from the “charts and graphs” department. I haven’t ever seen a book that includes a chart detailing the size of holes (figure 1, pg. 8). Not only does the chart show what an 18mm hole looks like, but the chart includes a 2″ ruler alongside the equivalent ruler in millimeters, thus showing that an 18mm hole is approximately 3/4″. There is also a key to wire gauges (pg.139), which I thought would be helpful to designers.
Throughout the book are “Designer Tips”, which cover such aspects as “do not ream crystals. They shatter easily” (pg.9). Good to know and a perfect way to communicate that information.
While I have said I am not a jewelry maker, I do buy an use beads on my quilts, including the recent Kissy Fish. Thus the pages called “Bead Types and Shapes” (pg.10-11) were of great interest to me. There is a bead type called West African Lost Wax. Who knew? There are also rice, Roccoco, Chinese cinnabar, domed, donut and Cupolini. All of these sound very interesting. The pictures next to each of the names and description ensure that the reader knows what the author means. If this type of chart is not prevalent in jewelry books, then it would be worth buying this book for the chart. Nathalie Mornu talks about wire, tools, safety and techniques with the same clarity and knowledge.
If you like projects, then this book has lovely projects. My favorite is called Florentine Lace (pg.91), because of the filigree the maker creates. I was hard pressed to choose, though, because I also liked Spellbound (pg. 114) and the shape of Rain (pg.107) as well.
I think jewelry makers would get something out of this book. Buy at your bookstore or check it out at your local library.
