Wire Wrapping: The Basics and Beyond | Jim McIntosh | The BEST book yet, and I have spent $$$$;...

Wire Wrapping: The Basics and Beyond | Jim McIntosh | Excellent wire wrapping text!

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Wire Wrapping: The...

	Wire Wrapping: The Basics and Beyond Jim McIntosh CreateSpace, 2007 - 284 pages average customer review:based on 36 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

The BEST book yet, and I have spent $$$$; the ONE to start with.

This is the first book I have found that REALLY shows you everything you need to do, step-by-step, and requires only a couple of types of wire and truly minimal tools.

I have spent thousands of dollars (not an exaggeration) trying to "get it" as far as wire wrapping. I have an online shop and although my main focus is faceted gemstones, I love the look of wire wrapping and carry intaglios and other interesting items to wrap. I have spent a fortune trying out products, and nothing worked for me. Part of the reason is that I have no artistic talent, but the biggest reason is that I got started wrong. I took my first wirework class from someone who owned a store and just downloaded class information/patterns from the internet. Half-hard wire was used in all classes, and I could not understand why I could not get it to make the lovely curves I see wire artists achieving. One of the first things the author explains is that the half-hard wire that is so popular is hard to work with and hard on the hands. I obtained some dead-soft wire and shazzam! -- My first attempt produced a finished, wearable result.

I bought this with Jewelry Studio: Wire Wrapping, and it was a good combination. There really is no overlap, and the styles are completely different. I think both are quite useful. Whereas Jewelry Studio throws you off into the deep end (it is quite a small book, without space for details), this book shows every single step in photographs -- literally. Each simple project covered an amazing number of pages, simply because such care was taken in explanation.

This is not an "eye-candy" book; you will not find a single color photo except on the outside covers. It also covers nothing but cabochons. However, it is still the most valuable publication on the topic I have purchased (and I have purchased more than a hundred) because if you follow his instructions to the letter, you will turn out a piece of wearable art the very first time. If you can't get past that stage, all the inspirational photos in the world are not going to help. And completing the first pendant makes you understand things better. For example, you wrap around any corners or narrow curves to keep the wires from separating. How the bail and upper wraps work together is not nearly as clear from a diagram or photo as it is when you are holding the piece in your hands.

Another major benefit of this book: You need only two kinds of wire (22-gauge square and 21-gauge half-round, both dead soft) and really basic wirework tools (such as square-nose pliers and flush cutter). Every other book I have calls for dozens of types of wire (different combinations of metal, gauge, shape, and hardness) and an endless array of tools and supplies, many of which I have never found. (Jeweler's rouge, anyone?) Later he adds a third wire (round!). Even books I love (such as Making Metal Jewelry by M. Lareau) make me despair when I make a list of the "basic" tools, only to find that I need about $3000 of them, not to mention the inevitable organizers and storage needed so you can actually find them when you need them.

If you really want to learn wrapping and have felt very frustrated with other resources that have lots of clever ideas and enthusiasm but not enough detail for the beginner, this is the book for you.

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Excellent wire wrapping text!

I am relatively new to this area of jewelry work, and was looking for direction in managing cabachons that was not 'prefab'. This book is WONDERFUL not only because of the excellent step by step direction and photos, but for the earthy humor and readability. Mr. McIntosh is unbelievably generous in his detailed direction. I do not have wrapping classes available in my area, and was searching for a book to give me general direction so I could begin to learn. The directions Mr. McIntosh outlines are better than those I received in class or any other text. I followed them and made a beautiful wrap the first time, which I have found to be very unusual in the jewelry making.
I HIGHLY reccommend this book for the novice or experienced wrapper, as he has many techniques that are simple yet elegant, and can be applied to many types of jewelry. This is an absolute keeper for my library, and an inspiration for both my wire and polyclay items.

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A "must have" book if you're interested in wire wrapping

I first saw a wire wrapped pendant 3 months ago and thought it looked like something I could do and enjoy. I started out with simple designs and inexpensive wire. Then I found Jim's book. It's very well written, easy to understand and follow. My wife and our friends are amazed at the pendants I now create (in fact I'm amazed!). Jim is a master who is willing to pass on his secrets. If you are interested in creating wire wrapped works of art...buy this book.

Great Book

I just started wire wrapping a few months ago and bought a few books and DVDs showing how to do it. This seemed to be the "basic" style for wire wrapping. This book takes the style I had just learned and adds another element to it and I love the different look! Plus it offers many other new, creative options to the basic wire wrapping. The downside is that all the photos are black and white (in this day and age color should be the standarad for "how tos")but the upside is that there are lots and lots of them for the many steps. This has become my favorite wire wrapping book.

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Best Book Out There

I've only been wire wrapping (or attempting to wrap) for a few months.
I learned more from this book than any other that I've purchased or any DVD/system that I've purchased.

If you are seriously into wire wrapping, or just curious, this book will convince you to go for it.

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, page 5, 6, 7, 8

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