Making Wire Jewelry by Helen Clegg and Mary Larom

Making Wire Jewelry by Helen Clegg and Mary Larom

This is one of the books I'd recommend for a beginner or aspiring wire jewelry artist. This book is filled  with original projects and designs as the  the book’s tag line , “60 Easy Projects in Silver, Copper and Brass”, clearly indicates. The book offers many simple techniques that are excellent for a beginner and the many wonderful pictures and illustrations almost ensure success in your own jewelry making. Using Making Wire Jewelry, just about anyone can readily learn not only how to easily manipulate wire but how to do it using different types of wire as well. If you're looking for jewelry making ideas and how to make unique jewelry, this book is a must-have.

Originally published in the 1950's (I believe), this book offers rare tutelage on making unique jewelry with a timeless flair. That may be why you won't see the same hashed over designs that one often finds in today's new jewelry how-to publications.  The projects in Making Wire Jewelry are plentiful, original, sophisticated and inspiring.

A very well organized book, Making Wire Jewelry specifies quite clearly the types of supplies, and simple tools you'll need early on. The book really takes of then demonstrating how to make easy wire components and then combine them to make necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and even belts. You'll learn to make bird cages with wire, rings, abstract wire pins and rings. You’ll also learn how to make wire circles, triangles and waves, daisy chains, loops spirals,  and yes folks, even wire buttons! After all that, also learn how to integrate beads with your wire jewelry making. Consider as well that you won't have to solder a single thing. All of this magnificent wire jewelry making is done with just your hands, wire and a few simple tools, bravo!

Doing a review of Making Wire Jewelry makes me realize that the book is all about making beautiful wire shapes and showing the reader exactly, in step by step illustrations, just how to do that to make unique jewelry in wire. That’s what working with wire is all about after all: learning how to make the wire take shape and transforming it into gorgeous jewelry.

Making Wire Jewelry by Helen Clegg and Mary Larom is a very special book and a superior addition to the art of jewelry making. I can’t recommend it highly enough. This book just gives and gives and gives and while it’s especially good for beginners, it has much to offer the pro as well. Buy this and be prepared to be wowed!

Making Wire Jewelry: 60 Easy Projects in Silver, Copper & Brass