Member Reviews
What an amazing book. Instead of using cord to make these beautiful bracelets you use wire and other threads. This book takes you step by step through what looks like a daunting task but makes it so easy to follow. There are wonderful photos to guide you as well. I have never tried Kumihimo but always thought they were so beautiful now I can make them myself.
I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com and chose to leave this review.
These pieces are beautiful and very skilfully explained - if you like working with wirework and enjoy making unique jewellery, this is certainly a book for your library. Well explained and illustrated, with decent sized photographs and clear instructions. It is a lovely book
Wonderful book, with easy to follow instructions and great for beginners to learn from the very first steps.
I do wish it would have given a few more ideas on where to find the materials worldwide, but other than that its a great book!
I've been beading for a long time and I’ve used different wires and leather to make bracelets but I’ve never learned how to weave them all together.
Ms. Larsen did a wonderful job by walking you through each project from what tools will be needed to the different gauges of wire and other findings to finish each of her projects. I was impressed with the amount of detail she spent with each project. I noticed that this book was connected with Interweave and I'm a big fan of their publications and products.
The main thing that caught my eye regarding this book was the beautiful photography, the soft color palettes corresponded perfectly with the different colors of the finished project. If you have no beading or jewelry experience what so ever you will find this book a work of art on its own.
I’ve already put this book on my Christmas list and will definitely be purchasing this book for my fellow beading friends.
I would like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for proving me with the galley in exchange for my honest review.
I am writing this as a complete novice of Kumihino Wirework. I'd never heard much of it but I've been getting into crafts lately and wanted to check this out. The braided jewelry in this book is beautiful and it was good that the instructions were simple, step by step, and easy to follow. With this book you can't help but appreciate how beautiful some of this work is. It's a fun crafting book that is fine for a beginner to use if they'd like to try this out.
This book describes how to create wirework jewelry using a kumihimo square. I've done kumihimo using thread or cords, and the beautiful pictures tempted me into reading this book. However, I think the actual weaving of the wire will be too hard on my arthritic hand (though there's one beginner project I intend to try soon).
The author described the basic equipment you need--basically, a kumihimo foam square, some soft, thinner wire, and some jewelry making tools and materials. She described her method of making the wire weave neatly and how to do the three basic braid patterns that she uses in the 21 projects. She also described how to finish the jewelry when you complete the wire weaving.
The projects detail what materials you need and the steps you take to make the project. There were pictures demonstrating each step. There were 7 beginner projects, 12 intermediate projects, and 2 advanced projects. The projects were mainly for making bracelets and earrings. There were 9 projects for making bracelets, 7 for making earrings, 4 for necklaces, and 1 ring. Seven of the projects used beads (plus some "variations" on other projects also added beads), and four projects wove leather as well as wire into the braid.
Some gorgeous designs. Think they will take a bit if mastering but will give it a go.
Instructions are clear and concise.
Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy is a beautiful to look at book — one of the many reasons why I chose it — and you learn easy steps to make 30 gorgeous braided jewelry designs! So doable even a klutz like me can master the technique, with stunning results! You’ll learn, as I did, how to craft amazing jewelry using kumihimo wirework, bringing the ancient art of traditional Japanese braiding to modern designs. The cover shows a lustrous example. Highly recommended!
Pub Date 11 Sep 2018
Thanks to F+W Media and NetGalley for the review copy. Opinions are fully mine.
#KumihimoWireworkMadeEasy #NetGalley
A beautiful and comprehensive introduction to the jewelry making craft of kumihimo in wire. Kumihimo is the art of braiding in most cases using string or yarn to craft jewelry, but this book introduces the use of wire. Beautifully photographed and expertly outlined instructions using pictures and grafts make this a wonderful learning experience. The instructions are concise and complete and confidently guide the reader towards creating these projects for themselves. The author is an accomplished artisan who enthusiastically shares her skills. I look forward to trying this beautiful art form .
Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy is a new and refreshing look at traditional kumihimo worked with metal and mixed media threads instead of the traditional cords. Author Christina Larsen is a self taught jewelry artist with an active YouTube following. Published by F+W Media (partnering with Interweave Press) with an anticipated release date 11th September 2018, it's 146 pages and available in paperback format.
This is a tutorial book and includes clear full-color photographs to support and enhance the clear step-by-step instructions. The book is laid out in a logical progression, beginning with a general introduction followed by a chapter of tools and materials. The following chapters develop techniques, braid structures, and finishing and make up approximately 30% of the page content.
The individual project tutorials progress from simpler projects to more complex, but all of them are really beautiful and none of them look like beginner projects. Each project has its own chapter starting with a chapter heading listing measurements, all materials, and tools necessary for project completion.
I was really surprised by the breadth of the included tutorials. Bracelets are what spring to mind for me when I think of kumihimo but this book includes earrings, necklaces (and not just torcs), and even rings. All of them are rich looking and lovely.
My only (small) quibble with the book was the lack of any supplier links or recommendations. In the age of e-tailers and internet supplies, that's certainly not a big hurdle.
This is a genuinely useful addition to the wireworker's library.
Four stars
I received a free copy of Kumihimo Wirework Made Easy (20 Braided Jewelry Designs Step-by-Step) by Christina Larsen in exchange for an honest review. This book contains written instructions and photo tutorials on how to create basic wire braids. The book also contains the same type of instructions for creating bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings using those braiding techniques. The braids are gorgeous. I especially love the bracelets!
#KumihimoWireworkMadeEasy #NetGalley
I liked the idea of making simple but cute bracelets out ofthings that are easy to find and dont break the bank. Although my dont look as cute it was still interesting to learn some new not so hard crafts.
I’m not familiar with this type of jewelry making, but this guide makes me feel confident that with the right materials, practice, and patience, I’d be producing wirework jewelry. Very detailed step by step instructions with pictures all along the way. Nice work!