Creative Beaded Jewelry

May 20, 2013
Jewelry designer Schulz returns to some of her favorite cultures for inspiration in this how-to book featuring 33 bracelets, earrings, and necklaces. The book has a brief but adequately thorough begin-ning chapter on tools and materials, while good instructions on different techniques are sprinkled where they are needed to complete a project - no flipping back and forth between a design and a how-to. There is much here for the new and intermediate jewelry designer, with detailed and enlightening descriptions of many basic jewelry-making techniques such as knotting, stringing, and wire looping. The written instructions are spare but clear and complete; the instructional drawings are crude but ade-quate; and the photographs are clear, sharp, and inspiring in their detail of color and texture. Another plus: many of the projects can be completed with beads, baubles, and other materials available at chain craft stores like Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabric & Crafts.

June 1, 2013

Veteran crafter Schulz was inspired by Asian culture, color palettes, and surface design in this collection of beaded jewelry. The projects include basic stringing on elastic cord or memory wire, as well as some simple wirework and knotting. The beads are the stars here, rather than the techniques, and sometimes the Asian influence is a bit of a stretch, but the jewelry is pretty nonetheless. Schulz suggests sources for acquiring the beads used in the projects. VERDICT The accessories in this collection are eye-catching, and the projects are very accessible to novice jewelry makers.

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