Spotlight on Wire Book Review

I checked out the new Spotlight On Wire book by Melissa Cable from the library and really like her ideas and way of explaining the how to. The the book is broke down into six sections each focusing on a different item or techniques.  All of the photography for the book is nice and uncluttered, the directions are clear with plenty of step by step photos to help you along. The most interesting project in this book is the one of  her showing how to use a regular pasta machine to texture copper and silver wire.  I have a rolling mill but most folks don't, this is a very inexpensive way to add interest to your wire without having to layout much cash. She also made corrugated wire and I can see it in several future pieces. The project I decided to make first was out of the Heavy Gauge Wire chapter it's called Charming Story, I used the silk ribbons I had sewn and dyed a few years ago to add a bit of color. 

Charming Story Necklaces

Spotlight on Wire Book Cover

Charming Story Page

Metal Style

I just picked up the new book Metal Style at my local library and had to give a shout out to the author Karen Dougherty for a job well done.  Unlike so many books that look like they will offer up a good range of projects and then fall short on the instructions, this book works you through all different styles of cold connections using interesting projects that you will really want to make. There are 20  projects in this book that feature directions from many of the top metal workers around including Richard Salley and Lisa Niven-Kelly on how to make balled headpins, use resin, etching and many more fun techniques.  I am a learn by seeing type of person and the step by step photos along with clear directions will guide you along your way to learning how to use wire rivits, tube rivets, miniature bolts and mesh screen. I am going to have to purchase this book or I will surly be paying library fines.

A five star book review

Yesterday I got a book out of the library that deserves a 5 star review, the name of the book is Easy & Elegant Beaded Copper Jewelry and it's 253 pages of amazing wire possibilities.  This book includes 346 different links, hooks, ear wires and more with complete instructions for making each of them.  This alone would be worth the price of $24.95 but then the author Lora S Irish takes it a step further and shows you hundreds of  ways to put these parts n pieces together making some very beautiful jewelry.  I think that no matter where you are from a beginner to an advanced wire worker this book would be a good purchase.  The only thing that could make this book better would be a poster with all 346 links to hang on my wall as a reference tool.  I can't wait to sit down at my bench with this book.