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Twist, Wrap,
Weave
Kim St. Jean
Kalmbach Books
July 12, 2016/ ISBN 978-1627003162
Crafts & Hobbies / Jewelry & Beadwork / Wire wrap
Jewelry
Reviewed
by Linda Morelli
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| Notes:
Kim St. Jean teaches metalsmithing and other jewelry-making
techniques at the William Holland School of Lapidary Arts,
the Bead&Button Show, Swarovski’s Create Your Style
in Tucson, the Wildacres Retreat, and other venues across
the U.S.
Kim St. Jean expertly combines her love of teaching and her
creative talent as a jewelry maker in this latest release
from Kalmbach Books. The book includes 25+ wire jewelry projects
and incorporates the techniques of twisting, wrapping and
weaving colored wire. Whether you’re a novice or expert,
you’ll love the easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions
and photos that suggest techniques and new designs to help
you create unique jewelry.
What I love most about this new release is that each stunning
design abounds with color that accentuates the latest fashion
trends and styles for bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pendants
and rings. The “Basics” section discusses tools
and techniques, such as crochet, plain and wrapped loops,
clasps, jump rings, etc., along with full-color photos. I
especially liked the section, “About the Wire,”
that discusses the various gauges of wire and their uses.
There are three sections: “Wrapping” with nine
projects, “Coiling” with ten designs, and “Weaving”
with nine designs. A major portion of the projects are easy;
most readers will be able to start without any previous experience.
Precise photos and instructions will help a novice become
a pro in no time. I have my favorite, but at the top is the
“Sea Foam Web” earrings utilizing rondelles and
colored wire. Next is the unusual “New Beginnings”
bracelet, which involves making a Viking knit with wire, crystals
and beads.
The author was once a Swarovski Ambassador and uses crystals
to produce stunning pieces, and her jewelry-making techniques
complement each suggested design. The true value of the book,
however, is providing incentive to get your creative juices
flowing and help you create your own unique jewelry.
If you can? find the tools and materials mentioned in this
book, try Fire
Mountain Gems
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