| The techniques of creating jewelry are pretty | | | | 1990), covers the basics of designing jewelry with |
| simple, but the artistry involved requires an | | | | beads and then presents detailed instructions for |
| understanding of design basics in order to be | | | | a variety of projects. The book also contains |
| successful. Taking a course in jewelry design at a | | | | many photos and descriptions of a multitude of |
| local art school or continuing ed program is great, | | | | beads and covers the process involved in creating |
| but if that's not possible, or if you want to | | | | earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and decorative |
| expand your understanding of jewelry design | | | | brooches.More basic but a lot of fun, The Art of |
| beyond your instructor's approach, then one or | | | | Making Jewelry, by Deborah Krupenia, Tammy |
| more of these books will give you a great | | | | Powley, and Jessica Wrobel (Thunder Bay Press, |
| start.Author Elizabeth Olver takes both the | | | | 2005), covers the tools and materials used in |
| subject of jewelry design and her readers | | | | jewelry making, including standard glass, metal, |
| seriously in her book The Art of Jewelry Design: | | | | and ceramic supplies as well as more unusual |
| From Idea to Reality (North Light Books, 2002). | | | | materials such as paper and papier mache. The |
| The book combines detailed hand-drawn | | | | book offers specific instructions for a wide range |
| illustrations and dramatic full-color photographs | | | | of projects using a variety of techniques, and |
| with solid content covering essential design tools, | | | | profiles twenty well-known jewelry artists and |
| stages of the design process, the various | | | | their work.Each book illustrates basic techniques |
| elements of jewelry design and creative concepts | | | | but then takes them into very different |
| involved in successful jewelry design. Creative | | | | directions, resulting in a wide range of artistic |
| concepts, as defined by Olver and enumerated in | | | | styles that can act as inspiration to the fledgling |
| the book's table of contents, include "organic, | | | | jewelry designer. Each one individually offers a |
| geometric, abstract, figurative, narrative, symbolic, | | | | solid technical understanding of jewelry-making; |
| icons, fashion, fine, series," and "sculptural." This | | | | together they provide an excellent introduction to |
| book will help you find your own unique style of | | | | the creative range available in this unique art |
| jewelry making based on a solid understanding of | | | | form.Aldene Fredenburg is a freelance writer living |
| design.If your taste in jewelry runs to beads, The | | | | in southwestern New Hampshire. She has written |
| Book of Beads: A Practical and Inspirational Guide | | | | numerous articles for local and regional |
| to Beads and Jewelry Making, by authors Janet | | | | newspapers and for a number of Internet |
| Coles and Robert Budwig (Simon & Schuster, | | | | websites, including Tips and Topics. |