Scan barcode
annieb123's review against another edition
5.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Woven in Wire is the second book from artist and teacher . Published by F+W Media and Interweave Press, it's due out 17th July, 2017. The book is available in softcover and contains 160 pages. Like most tutorial instruction books, there's an intro followed by chapters covering tools/supplies and basic techniques including the different weaving techniques along with some very basic torchwork (basically just materials and some good safety advice and drawing a bead on wire (melting the end to form a ball)). One thing I really appreciate about the author's style is that she's encouraging without being too eager or smothering as well as giving some really valuable tips about her own working methods and the specific tools that work for her. There's an awful lot of product placement going on in the world of how-to books and I really applaud the author for refusing to be a shill for any specific company.
The intro chapters (~20% of the page content) are followed by tutorial chapters for the (by my count) 13 projects from beginner(ish) to masterwork level. Interspersed in these chapters are really valuable tips and tricks for working with the materials and saving frustration where possible. The projects run the gamut from earrings to pendants and everything in between including rings bracelets, clasps etc. There wasn't a single project in the book which I didn't want to make. That almost never happens to me.
I worked as a bench jeweler in the traditional commercial jewelry trade for over 16 years (until I went back to school to become a bio-engineer at a ripe old age; it's never too late to take up another career). Anyhow, the point is, working as a jeweler I always wanted to flex more of my creative muscles and work more with wire as a structural element. I never got my chance as a professional working for a paycheck (I was the faceless drone re-sizing your engagement ring, or possibly repairing your necklace when you lost it down the garbage disposal *true stories*). I have set up a bench in my workshop now and share creative space with my daughter, also a budding bench jewelry artist.
I love the fact that many of these projects use forged wire as a basis. The shaped and flattened wire structure gives the entire piece stability and solidity without losing any of the fluidity and organic-ness (it should be a word) of the woven wire.
This is not a book for following slavishly. This is a book which provides loosely structured learning guidelines for developing your own style and finding and adapting your own techniques. In that sense, Sarah Thompson is a fantastic teacher. This is a worthwhile book, lavishly illustrated and photographed. Her passion for her art and her willingness to share the 'good stuff' she's learned is rare.
Well worth adding to the jeweler's library. This book will age very well and remain current as your skill progresses.
Five stars, really lovely.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Woven in Wire is the second book from artist and teacher . Published by F+W Media and Interweave Press, it's due out 17th July, 2017. The book is available in softcover and contains 160 pages. Like most tutorial instruction books, there's an intro followed by chapters covering tools/supplies and basic techniques including the different weaving techniques along with some very basic torchwork (basically just materials and some good safety advice and drawing a bead on wire (melting the end to form a ball)). One thing I really appreciate about the author's style is that she's encouraging without being too eager or smothering as well as giving some really valuable tips about her own working methods and the specific tools that work for her. There's an awful lot of product placement going on in the world of how-to books and I really applaud the author for refusing to be a shill for any specific company.
The intro chapters (~20% of the page content) are followed by tutorial chapters for the (by my count) 13 projects from beginner(ish) to masterwork level. Interspersed in these chapters are really valuable tips and tricks for working with the materials and saving frustration where possible. The projects run the gamut from earrings to pendants and everything in between including rings bracelets, clasps etc. There wasn't a single project in the book which I didn't want to make. That almost never happens to me.
I worked as a bench jeweler in the traditional commercial jewelry trade for over 16 years (until I went back to school to become a bio-engineer at a ripe old age; it's never too late to take up another career). Anyhow, the point is, working as a jeweler I always wanted to flex more of my creative muscles and work more with wire as a structural element. I never got my chance as a professional working for a paycheck (I was the faceless drone re-sizing your engagement ring, or possibly repairing your necklace when you lost it down the garbage disposal *true stories*). I have set up a bench in my workshop now and share creative space with my daughter, also a budding bench jewelry artist.
I love the fact that many of these projects use forged wire as a basis. The shaped and flattened wire structure gives the entire piece stability and solidity without losing any of the fluidity and organic-ness (it should be a word) of the woven wire.
This is not a book for following slavishly. This is a book which provides loosely structured learning guidelines for developing your own style and finding and adapting your own techniques. In that sense, Sarah Thompson is a fantastic teacher. This is a worthwhile book, lavishly illustrated and photographed. Her passion for her art and her willingness to share the 'good stuff' she's learned is rare.
Well worth adding to the jeweler's library. This book will age very well and remain current as your skill progresses.
Five stars, really lovely.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
glitterandtwang's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really beautifully designed book, with clear and (it seems) easy-to-follow instructions. As someone who has never worked with wire or made jewelry, I felt like I could give it a shot using the information presented in this title -- though, as a lazy person, I have not yet done so.
bindingthepages's review against another edition
5.0
I received a copy from F+W Media through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve been making jewelry since I was a kid and I got into wire weaving after taking a class on wire weaving rings with my mom. I jump back into wire weaving on and off and mainly make rings and pendants, so I got excited when I saw this book. The cover is beautiful and I could tell that Sarah Thompson is very talented at what she does. Naturally, I was interested in what she has to say and what kind of wisdom she is sharing with everyone.
This book is more of a guide than a step by step book for beginners, which is cool because there are step by step instructions that slowly become more in depth as the projects and techniques become more complex. Thompson intends for this book to be a guide to help people new and old to wire weaving to learn or develop new techniques. In the process, we also get wonderful pictures of the beautiful pieces that she has created, which gives readers an idea of the kind of things that they can make as they become more experienced.
While the projects are not marked as beginner, intermediate, and advanced, it’s pretty easy to tell based on looking at the project and the graph that accompanies it. I think it’ll be pretty neat for people new to wire weaving to see and experience how simple it is to create items that appear a lot more complex than they are. This book is also great because Thompson covers all of the tools and other supplies that she uses, what they are for, and the pros and cons of the different types of wire that one can craft with. Not all of the tools are a must, but she explains what she recommends and what one might buy based on what they plan on making. I want to dig out my wire weaving supplies and get crafting after reading this book. I’ve never made a bracelet and I want to give it a go!
I’ve been making jewelry since I was a kid and I got into wire weaving after taking a class on wire weaving rings with my mom. I jump back into wire weaving on and off and mainly make rings and pendants, so I got excited when I saw this book. The cover is beautiful and I could tell that Sarah Thompson is very talented at what she does. Naturally, I was interested in what she has to say and what kind of wisdom she is sharing with everyone.
This book is more of a guide than a step by step book for beginners, which is cool because there are step by step instructions that slowly become more in depth as the projects and techniques become more complex. Thompson intends for this book to be a guide to help people new and old to wire weaving to learn or develop new techniques. In the process, we also get wonderful pictures of the beautiful pieces that she has created, which gives readers an idea of the kind of things that they can make as they become more experienced.
While the projects are not marked as beginner, intermediate, and advanced, it’s pretty easy to tell based on looking at the project and the graph that accompanies it. I think it’ll be pretty neat for people new to wire weaving to see and experience how simple it is to create items that appear a lot more complex than they are. This book is also great because Thompson covers all of the tools and other supplies that she uses, what they are for, and the pros and cons of the different types of wire that one can craft with. Not all of the tools are a must, but she explains what she recommends and what one might buy based on what they plan on making. I want to dig out my wire weaving supplies and get crafting after reading this book. I’ve never made a bracelet and I want to give it a go!
julesg's review
5.0
This how to guide offers a lot of information on woven wire jewelery. There are a lot of photographs and drawings to support the novice wire weaver in their endeavor to get to know the techniques. Materials and tools are explained as well as the different techniques, which are introduced in form of different projects to recreate. The projects range from bracelets, pendants to earrings. There is also a part dedicated to fixing and hiding mistakes - or as I like to call it, making this project your unique masterpiece.
Like so many other books by Interweave Press this is a guide book that will certainly help you try out this technique and maybe even master it with a collection of your own.
Like so many other books by Interweave Press this is a guide book that will certainly help you try out this technique and maybe even master it with a collection of your own.
More...