When I received this book from Interweave Press, Making Colorful Wire and Beaded Jewelry: 35 Fabulous Designs by Linda Jones ($19.95 US; $26.95 CA), my first reaction was, ?Geez, another wire and bead book?? However, like any good designer/writer knows, you need to find an angle for your jewelry book. It can?t be too different yet, at the same time, it can?t be just like all the other jewelry books on the market, and it is obvious that Linda Jones did her homework when it came to finding a new twist on an old technique.

Other than the fact that she has a lot of unique designs in this book that I hadn?t seen before (such as the Aztec Tree of Life Necklace, Squiggle Ring, and Falling Leaves Necklace), her twist comes with the inclusion of colored wire, both on its own and mixed with semi-precious wire. She also used a specialty tool that works really well with colored wire since it doesn?t mark the wire, the Spiral Bead Maker and Coil Gizmo. It was interesting to see how she included this tool along with more traditional tools like a hammer, block, and pliers.

One other thing I have to commend the author for is her write up on work hardening wire. Though I?d have liked to see a mention of the different hardness of wire (dead-soft, half-hard, and soft), she has a really good explanation of how to work harden wire and why it is necessary, probably one of the best explanations I?ve ever read.

On the down side to this book, my main beef is with the photography. There are loads of color photographs, which is great, but I would have liked to see more close up shots.

For someone like myself who is already familiar with the techniques, it wouldn?t make much of a difference. However, for the total, absolute beginner, this could be an issue.

If you have wanted to learn some new approaches to bead and wire jewelry, then definitely take a look at Making Colorful Wire and Beaded Jewelry: 35 Fabulous Designs by Linda Jones.