The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making: More than 700 Large Format Color Photos

by Tammy Powley

This book is a comprehensive how-to book about all aspects of jewelry making. It serves as a reference and technique guide for .all the common methods and styles of jewelry: beaded jewelry, wire, crystals and gems, polymer clay, PMC. The organization provides easy access to information with step-by-step directions and 600 full-color photos for clear understanding. Easy projects allow the reader to try the techniques in each section. Galleries of jewelry by a various artists offer the reader examples and inspiration to pursue the hobby for themselves.

Genres: Nonfiction, Jewellery Making, Crafts, Jewellery, Art

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Tammy Powley is a writer, designer, and teacher. She works full-time as a college English professor and is the author of numerous jewelry making books. See her web site at http://www.tammypowley.com for more information.
Watch her YouTube channel, My Bookshelf: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYA8...

Reviews

[Amy Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a mixed bag for me: techniques I had picked up early on years ago, along with stuff that would either require equipment I don't have or supplies beyond my price range (some can be substituted with lower cost materials). The photos were good although in a few step-by-step instructions seemed a bit sparse on the first straight read through but on going back and looking at projects are definitely more than adequate. I felt a bit confused as to who the intended audience was initially, as the basics and techniques that can be worked cold or with minimal additional equipment (bead stringing, wire work, chain, polymer clay, fiber, mixed media) contrast with soldering with precious metals (requiring a torch and supports) and precious metal clay (requiring a kiln) and resin (resin is fairly expensive every time I’ve priced it out + safety considerations such as ventilation, face mask, and care during sanding - which are touched on).


Some nice looking projects, great for inspiration, as well as picking up tips that might have been missed if self-taught. (Proper knotting between beads such as pearls is something I had previously not learned, as well as seeing a step-by-step of wire work was neat).

[Amy Adams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking for a book to introduce some of my jewelry students to a range of basic techniques. This was not the book for that. The title and the pictures on the cover make you think that you're going to be learning tips and techniques for the beginning jewelry maker. However, the book seems to jump all over the place. You start by learning how to make a wrapped loop, but a few dozen pages in, you're hit with soldering and other techniques that require temporal and monetary investments.

On the upside: the pictures are bright and clear, and the instructions are easy enough to follow, as long as you've had some experience already with making jewelry. This would book would be good if you are ready to pick out a new advanced technique like soldering, resin, polymer clay, or metal clay, but you're not sure which to pick, as it offers overviews of each of these techniques.

I would recommend that you look at it in your local library instead of buying it.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much metalworking with precious metals for average home reader. Beading, including crocheting, working with metal clay, polymer clay, transferring images onto bracelets and pendants, resin jewelry techniques. There are less labor consuming ways to get better results...

Detailed photos, unnecessary too many of them, essentials would be better.

Some pieces are complex and tasteful, others as in any other jewelry making book.
Take a look and form own opinion.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book covered a lot of topics, but in reading through the them, there seemed to be critical steps missing or not explained adequately. I would like to have seen more photographs of the different steps, because there were times I could not see how she got from point C to point G. It struck me that I would have been better off seeking a specialty book on each topic.

[Mckinley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers many techniques from bead stringing to wire work, chain making, metal fabrication and soldering, working with clay, fibers and resin. Lots of step by step photos.
I wouldn't say this is an introduction book sense some knowledge is helpful.

[Tessa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay. This is a nice book but it wasn't what I was looking for. It had a lot of information, but not really the kind I wanted.