Review by Booklist Review
Jeweler Legenhausen begins her guide to jewelry making with a brief discussion about design, noting that nature is a huge source of inspiration for her, along with architecture, objects, and the human form itself. She encourages readers to start with a sketch, then quickly moves on to an illustrated introduction to the tools of the craft, which include a wonderful variety of pliers and such materials as metals in both sheets and wire, clasps and pins, beads and string. Legenhausen suggests using inexpensive materials while getting the hang of the techniques, which are covered in baby steps, each demonstrated in bright and open page-layouts featuring crisp, close-up photographs. She covers bead stringing, wire wrapping, pearl knotting, jump rings, and hammering metal. Readers then arrive at the projects section, in which Legenhausen matches basic techniques to 16 forms of jewelry invitingly open to interpretation, including an elastic beaded bracelet, chandelier earrings, and a stamped letter pendant. With useful charts and resource information as well as lots of encouragement, this is a superbly well-designed and effective how-to.--Seaman, Donna Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Legenhausen, cofounder of Lotus Jewelry Studio in Baltimore, Md., takes care to feature the finer points of finishing sophisticated jewelry pieces while delivering an easy-to-follow overview of jewelry-making techniques for inexperienced and intermediate crafters. The book is arranged in the manner of a class syllabus, with each project building on the lessons and skills learned in the ones before it. The projects start by focusing on the basics of stringing beads, then progress through wire-wrapping and knotting techniques and finish with hammering and stamping projects. Inexperienced jewelers are thoroughly tutored through the essential skills needed to complete simple yet fetching creations. The book also offers a brushup on the fundamentals of jewelry making and new tips for more experienced crafters (e.g., the importance of stretching silk thread before use). Legenhausen has compiled a thoughtful and detailed instructional guide that leaves readers with the knowledge and encouragement needed to create their own designs and advance their jewelry-making educations. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by Library Journal Review
In this introductory guide to jewelry techniques, professional jewelry designer Legenhausen showcases her expertise. After teaching the basics, she delves more deeply into core techniques, such as finishing ends, pearl knotting, and working with jump rings. These core techniques are reinforced and expanded upon via a series of projects featuring beginner-level bead stringing, wire wrapping, knotting, and metalwork. The steps of each project, with styles ranging from laid-back boho glam to modern minimalism, are illustrated with close-up color photographs. VERDICT Beginners interested in a pictorial guide to basic jewelrymaking techniques with simple yet stylish projects will find this appealing. © Copyright 2017. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
