Create Jewelry: Crystals [Paperback]

I love collecting jewelry design books. I pore over the ones I find to be good. I have the previous book, titled: Create Jewelry, Pearls, co-authored by the team of Marlene Blessing and Jamie Hogsett. I love it! Therefore it is not a surprise to me that, once again, they have created an incredibly stylish, fabulously photographed, fascinating to read(there are those great "did you know..." sidebars and facts, once again--I love those!) book filled with lovely, stunning, jaw-dropping projects.

I first started my designing career using Swarovski crystals in many of my projects because they are so beautiful to me, and there is no stinting on using them in this book. They are practically synonymous with the word crystal, although is it fascinating to read about the history of other, natural crystals, and special crystals such as Herkimer diamonds. I admit I love unusual stones and I find that project using Herkimer diamonds is particularly well designed, chic, and beautiful to look at!

There are fabulous historical facts, such as the carved cabochons of Essex ...we've all seen them, we just didn't know what they were! I am referring to those little dogs or horses painted behind bubbles of crystal, used for cufflinks or buttons. I loved reading about them!

I am so fascinated by many of the stories in the book, and I love how the authors, once again, managed to match the colors of the projects to the historical lore. The photos are intense, sensual, and beautiful! The models are gorgeous and the jewelry designs are totally exquisite.
This is top notch designing. I love so many of the projects! "Cosmic Jewels", a bracelet using Swarovski's new "cosmic" shaped crystals, is so fantastic! Jamie is a true artist! I adore "Brilliant Bangles" as well, and the history Marlene adds to that project is particularly intriquing.

There are super pretty linear earrings called "Catch a Falling Star", and a fantastic bracelet I personally wish to start off with...it is my favorite! Right at the beginning, it is the incandescent and fabulously sumptuous "Royal Tapestry." Of course, in looks, it resembles a rug (an oriental rug!). It is a cuff made of seed beads and crystals, and it is a knockout of a design! I want to make it first!

I think this book is spectacular! It's got pins, rings, lariats, and...well, beauty everywhere! It goes from the past, historically, to "fashion forward" styles, and is extremely fun to read and exciting to experience. There is a lot of seedbeading, but I am beginning to try my hand at that! I am a wire worker normally, but this book is so encouraging and beautiful that I am am falling for the seedbeadng projects hard! Jamie rules at that! And Marlene is so fascinating at narrating the facts she discovered while researching this book.
I give this book five stars plus! It is stunning and exciting to read and you will want to make the beautiful projects immediately! A great book!

I love crystals and was excited to see what this book might have to offer. Yes, there are some beautiful designs BUT for a book written by editors of a bead magazine I was horribly disappointed by the lack of concise material lists and instructions. I am a professional - have been working with seed beads for over 40 years/beaded jewelry design and crafting for over 30. I know how to work from instructions but this is the most frustrating publication I've ever dealt with.

When you work with seed beads it is very important to know something more than: "tawny topaz-lined size 11" - especially when you have over a dozen different shades in similar color groups. Surely someone who writes a book like this would know to give a manufacturer's name such as 'Delica' or color number like DB223. Components for these designs are expensive. I spent hours trying to track down and match these beads.

The directions themselves are scant with few detailed illustrations; more of an overview really. I doubt very seriously if either of these two women actually sat down with a needle and thread to make these projects themselves. If they did then why not note specifics?

The higher ratings really surprise me unless they were given based on just the pictures and factoids. But for someone - like me - who wanted actual projects to make...

If you are a beginning crafter I would not recommend this book for anything other than inspiration.

Do your eyes sparkle at the mention of Swarovski? Then this book is for you. By Beadwork Mag Editors and the Interweave Press, which I think brings us the most impressive needlework books. Gorgeous, mouth-watering pictures, crystal shapes and color charts, diagramed techniques. Project Resource Guide in back tells us where they got the components so you can make exactly what you see. Projects are put into 3 categories, "Classic", "Special Occasion" and Fashion Forward". All projects are tasteful, brilliant color choices and well made. No skimping on quality. Us beaders know the difference - this is not a "craft" book. Info on Swarovski and some history of crystals makes a nice touch throughout the book. 20 projects, including a brooch and a ring. This is elegant beading with classic touches; no wire work, dichroic or art beads. And yes, there are some in here to die for!