Product Description

Based on traditional techniques invented by the Vikings, these 70 projects require only a spool of wire and a few simple tools. The book shows how to make earrings, bracelets, chokers, and pins using colour photographs and step-by-step illustrations.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #197945 in Books
• Published on: 1999-12-31
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 128 pages

From Library Journal
These two guides cover specialized techniques not often found in jewelry craft books. Wood is not usually thought of as a jewelry material, but carved and polished wood makes striking necklaces and earrings. Lydgate (The Art of Making Small Wood Boxes, Sterling, 1997) has collected projects from 24 woodworkers. Many involve laminates or marquetry, and all have step-by-step instructions with diagrams and color photographs. Danish crafter Peterson's jewelry is of two types: jewelry that is knitted, twisted, and braided in techniques similar to macrame and jewelry made from rings similar to chain-mail armor. The projects are inspired by pieces found in Viking hoards and have a strong medieval appearance. Both books are suitable for general crafts collections.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Intricate, impressive jewelry
This book is a gem. The instructions are clear and easily followed, yet the resulting jewelry (especially the Viking knitting) is beautiful and definitely does not look homemade.

Note that this book uses British wire sizes. If you are in the United States, simply subtract two from the gauge given in the book. For example, 26-gauge wire in the U.K. is equivalent to 24-gauge wire in the U.S.

Still a great buy, three years later
I bought this book several years ago and reviewed it then. I used it to learn how to make some findings, then shelved it and forgot it. A few weeks ago, I needed to learn how to make chain mail. I went to the internet and downloaded several instructions, none of which I could understand, and many of which had pictures designed to discourage. All-black backgrounds, poorly focused rings, or color-coded tutorials so complex that the color legend needed a whole page on its own. Then I remembered that Great Wire Jewelry had chain mail instructions, and pulled it from the shelf.
If you have trouble with printed instructions, give this book a try anyway. Between the very clear pictures and the very clear descriptions, even I, the chain-mail challenged, figured it out. And figured it out well enough to move through several more complicated weaves, gaining experience and courage as I went. For the $15 price I paid a few years ago, this book is certainly worth the price as a reference, an instructional tool, and, with its clear pictures, a nice design book as well.

Make great wire jewelry without using a torch!
At 60 pages, this is a relatively small book, but it's packed full of instructions and information! The author opens with a brief discussion of materials and finishing methods. Each project is rated for difficulty, which ranges from easy/children through difficult. Subsequent chapters are arranged according to the technique that is used. These techniques include knitting, braiding, twisting, and working with jump rings. Each technique is introduced, with tips on materials and finishing and step-by-step instructions. The color diagrams are very clear, as are the color photographs of finished pieces. The projects require a minimal investment in materials. Instructions are provided for making some of the tools yourself. The back of the book includes a description of tools and a table of mandrel sizes for making jump rings.

This is a focused book, targeted at the beginner or intermediate level. You won't find wire wrapping or soldering or an exhaustive overview of techniques. However, I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to explore solder-free chainmaking. This is an excellent book if you are seeking ideas for men's jewelry, chain maille, medieval jewelry, or Viking jewelry.