All Wired Up by Mark Lareau (2000, Paperback, Illustrated)

This is a great book for those of you just starting out in the world of creating wire jewelry. You will learn to MASTER basic wire techniques THE RIGHT WAY. Don't develop bad habits, learn good technique out the gate and you will be glad you did! Bad habits are hard to break! Mr. Lareau stresses the importance of technique & he is right. The difference between a good piece of jewelry & a great piece is good basic technique. I think the title of his chapter 'The Perfect Loop' says it all. Something so simple says so much when you look at a piece of handcrafted jewelry.

He also offers a great deal of info that many forget to communicate to folks who are completely new to this art...for example, how to hold your pliers properly and how to sit to prevent injury and stress on your body!

To learn the techniques, you will create loops, bead links, ear wires, clasps, bails, headpins, and more. You will also learn a very basic cage for a marble, wrap for cabochon, bead cap, donut wrap, and briolette pendant. The projects are good starters, the techniques are the most important part of this book. And, Mr Lareau provides full color pictures of complex pieces for inspiration and to drool over :). Be sure to check out all of reviews on wire jewelry books & to give me a 'yes' vote if my review was helpful! Thanks!

This was one of my first books and I am glad it was!