Irina Miech, who is better known for her work in Precious Metal Clay has written a new book especially for beaders who like working with metal in cold techniques. This book is a sequel to Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders.
It says it's a wire book, and much of it is, but there are other techniques in this book as well.
The introduction starts with a description of the types of tools you'll need, then it goes straight into the projects.
In the beginner section, there are a lot of basic techniques which have been covered in other books before. They are all well photographed steps and create wearable simple pieces that are easy to personalize with your own style and color choices. She illustrates wrapped links, plain links, coils, wrapping and using filigree pieces to create very pretty pieces of jewelry. It's a well done introduction into the basic skills, and includes some very fun pieces like a bead wrapped skeleton key and a lovely bangle bracelet which could quickly become a favorite instant gratification project.
Then the part of the book that makes it truly worth adding to your bookshelf of wire working books. The projects increase in difficulty, building on the skills learned doing the projects from the previous chapter, the next chapter is Intermediate Projects. These include forged spirals, contemporary wire wrapping, more on making findings, using filigrees to create bezels for rivolis, and some very nice looking beads made with links of wire. At the end of the intermediate chapter is a project that uses riveting techniques to make a very polished pair of earrings.
The last chapter is Advanced, still building on the skills from the projects in the previous chapters, it starts with a stamped and riveted pendant. The projects are intricate and gorgeous. Providing ideas and skills for cold fabrication techniques that are very inspiring. I love the fibulas (shawl pins).
The end of the book has more information about the wire types, plier types and other tools and techniques, so if you do get hung up on something, it might be in the reference in the back.

You can get this book from the publisher, Kalmbach Publishing or by clicking the Amazon link below.

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