Susan
Barzacchini has provided an outstanding new release from Kalmbach
with Inventive Wire Weaving. She starts with an excellent
20-page section on tools and supplies, including some unusual
tools like disk cutting, drills, and metal stamping tool boxes,
plus finishing and polishing toolboxes. She also covers soldering
and additional wire and metal tools, wire gauges and hardness,
torch beading, disk cutting, annealing and, naturally, wire
weaving techniques.
The value of this release is the superb and visually stunning
designs. Each project has a listing of supplies and tools
necessary, and while some of the projects may appear daunting
and intricate at first, the detailed instructions and full
color photos clearly explain the design’s progress and
will encourage you to try your own hand at a wire weaving
project or two.
Each of her totally unique designs adds additional depth to
the resulting jewelry. Each took my breath away. Of course,
I have my favorites: the Sonoran Sunrise Pendant, the Ocean’s
Treasure Earrings, and the visually captivating Taxidermy
Eye Pendant. I also appreciated Ms. Barzacchini’s inclusion
of design variations and use of unusual materials, which have
given me some great ideas for all those single cabochons,
beads and gemstones I’ve been holding onto for possible
future projects.
Susan Barzacchini’s release, Inventive Wire Weaving,
is an outstanding and wonderful compilation of the artist’s
stunning creations. Whether you’re into wire wrapping
or weaving, or just want to try something new, once you see
the cover of this book, you’ll want to pick this up
and use it to stir your own creative juices. You can be sure
I’m keeping it as a great future reference, any time
I get a “designer’s block” or want to make
something unusual as a gift for a friend or family member.
Or, in the case of the Taxidermy Eye, for myself.
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