The second book, Chain and Bead Jewelry: Creative Connections, is published by Watson-Guptill, released in July 2009. This new book continues the author's exploration into beaded chain jewelry designs that he began in his first book, Handcrafting Chain and Bead Jewelry, a bestseller in its category, selling over 30,000 copies since its original publication in 2006.
Chain and Bead Jewelry takes you on a wire-wrapping adventure through 28 jewelry projects and dozens of techniques. Join him through this 160-page quest to balance metal and mineral, from the basics of metal wire, aspect ratio-precise jump rings, gemstone beads, and simple hand tools to the essential techniques you'll need to master jump ring assembly, setting headpin beads, forging S-clasps, and bending identical earring backs from teardropped Argentium silver wire. Discover wire-wrapping techniques that progress from simple earrings to embellished bracelets. More complex techniques are explored in the later chapters where gemstone beads are used to embellish a variety of age-old chains, from the Byzantine, Flower, Mobius, Dubious, Japanese, Inca Puño, and European, to the infamous six-sided Snake chain.
Read a review written By N. Smith in Amazon:
I am a huge fan of his first book and had this follow up pre-ordered for a very long time. I'm so happy to report that it didn't disappoint! You don't NEED his first book if you're new to the craft. The introductory section has great information on wire, rings, making rings, and everything you need to know to get started. The later projects all have step by step photos with clear directions. If you're a veteran, I'm pleased to say this book added a lot of information, particularly about tumbling and shining up your pieces. There's also great photo tutorials and instructions to flawlessly incorporate magnetic clasps into the design! He also includes the math and aspect ratio (AR) breakdown for more gauges per weave than he did in the first book. As I said, I loved his first book, and ordered this one on faith since I was NOT actually a fan of the cover "chaos wrapping" design. Pages 44-59 are dedicated to this chaos link in necklaces/bracelet/earring form. I like the intricate pattern and symmetry of chainmaille so the chaos just doesn't do it for me. Fear not! The rest of the book is his usual bold strong designs, with a different style "tornado" wrapped link, using beads in new ways, and I really like his play with different colored metals in this book which creates a whole new look and brings out the patterns. I'm sure I'll make everything BUT the cover piece at least once! ;-) If you're new to the craft, you could easily start with his first book or this one. As a more experienced "mailler" now, I highly recommend BOTH books make it into your collection! The second book does not supersede or repeat the first so much as it complements and expands on it nicely if you love his style!
I am a huge fan of his first book and had this follow up pre-ordered for a very long time. I'm so happy to report that it didn't disappoint! You don't NEED his first book if you're new to the craft. The introductory section has great information on wire, rings, making rings, and everything you need to know to get started. The later projects all have step by step photos with clear directions. If you're a veteran, I'm pleased to say this book added a lot of information, particularly about tumbling and shining up your pieces. There's also great photo tutorials and instructions to flawlessly incorporate magnetic clasps into the design! He also includes the math and aspect ratio (AR) breakdown for more gauges per weave than he did in the first book. As I said, I loved his first book, and ordered this one on faith since I was NOT actually a fan of the cover "chaos wrapping" design. Pages 44-59 are dedicated to this chaos link in necklaces/bracelet/earring form. I like the intricate pattern and symmetry of chainmaille so the chaos just doesn't do it for me. Fear not! The rest of the book is his usual bold strong designs, with a different style "tornado" wrapped link, using beads in new ways, and I really like his play with different colored metals in this book which creates a whole new look and brings out the patterns. I'm sure I'll make everything BUT the cover piece at least once! ;-) If you're new to the craft, you could easily start with his first book or this one. As a more experienced "mailler" now, I highly recommend BOTH books make it into your collection! The second book does not supersede or repeat the first so much as it complements and expands on it nicely if you love his style!
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