Kerry Bogert has written a fun new book about wireworking with colored wire and art glass called Totally Twisted : Innovative Wirework & Art Glass Jewelry.
The designs in this book are bright, colorful and bold. Made with classic wireworking techniques like coiling and spirals, the jewelry is fresh and fun.
The first part of the book is very well photographed and explained instructions for the basic techniques. How to make earring wires, how to file ends of wire so they aren't sharp, the tools you'll need and why. One of my favorite things in these instructions is that the author is a woman after my own heart. She's not wedded to the idea you need a lot of money to get started. She uses nail files on the wire ends and the same method for doing wrapped loops with one pair of pliers that I usually use. The art glass in the projects are brightly colored lampwork beads, donuts and other shapes. The wire is a mix of sterling wire and colored copper wire, so it's very affordable.
After that you get into the projects.
There are some projects that require experience working with wire. Fortunately practice pieces made with copper wire aren't very expensive and make nice gifts as well if you're happy with how they turn out. A lot of the designs would be very simple for the wire novice to make. Just read through the instructions and practice any part you think you might have a problem with.
The projects are fun. This is one of those few wirework books I've read that my 14 year old daughter would truly enjoy. The bright colors and shapes are cheerful and happy. They would make great casual pieces to brighten up an outfit. My favorite projects are the bracelets of course. I love bracelets as a quick accessory to tie together an outfit.
The simple S link Fantasticness made with sterling, a bright colored pillow bead and a very pretty handmade toggle that's a design element is suitable for business wear.
For a bigger challenge, I love Timeless. Made using coiling, spirals, a handmade toggle and a bright disc bead it's colorful. It got it's name for how it looks like a watch but since you can't tell time on a bead, it's Timeless.
I like this book for myself. I'm not a wire novice but I'm also not as good with wire as a lot of people are and I know I can learn a lot doing some of these projects. I also like it for my teens who both enjoy working with wire a lot more than seed bead weaving. My son will try the projects using brass, copper and silver for a more industrial look and probably substitute nuts and washers for the beads. My daughter will dig into my collection of lampwork seconds I can't ever resist at bead shows to find the most colorful of them to make brightly colored pieces.
You can get this book from the Interweave Store or below from Amazon.com



Interweave Publications provided this review copy of Totally Twisted to me free of charge.
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