Teach Yourself VISUALLY Jewelry Making and Beading Paperback – Illustrated, October 8, 2007

I bought this in soft cover book form back in 2011 and have enjoyed it greatly! Haven't tried the E book version. The reason I am writing this review now is that I noted a very bad review and thought I might take a moment to balance the scale some. That review said if you want to make crappy cheap jewelry for yourself or a gift that someone would just throw in the trash then this is the book for you because it only shows you how to make crappy cheap looking jewelry. Well, I don't have the latest version so I can't say what jewelry projects are in the newest version but if they are like mine, they are VERY basic. IF you have NO creativity and want a book that has step by step instructions on beautiful jewelry, full of designs with lists of everything you need....then NO this book isn't for you. BUT if you want to make and design your own jewelry but just don't know how to do it or the names and uses of the tools and materials.....then YES, you have found the RIGHT book! Each project may not be something you like BUT it is meant to teach you a certain set of skills using tools and materials that once mastered, you can THEN use those skills to design and make your own beautiful jewelry! The book is very easy to use and the photos are great. It has a wide variety of styles and materials to learn about. I still keep mine handy even after seven years, I will use it to refresh my memory if I haven't worked with certain tools or materials in awhile. Or if I forget the proper name of something. This is a great book for all ages, please give it a chance and enjoy creating your own masterpiece!Again, I can't comment on the E book version as I haven't tried it.

When I purchased this book I'd already been designing and selling my work for a while, mostly I donate to charities and often give lessons as part of that service. After reading the reviews, I looked through it at one of the local craft stores, and loved it! I felt it would really help when I donate a lesson, but I put it my "Wish List" on Amazon and didn't purchased it right away.Once I did take the plunge and make the purchase, I was so glad I did! I took my time to really go through it and get a feel for it's depth and scope. I am a very visual learner, and this book has the most beautiful and incredible photos - great for teaching, and as good/or better than any other book of this genre that I've purchased."Teach Yourself Visually: Jewelry Making" explains each type of jewelry making skill, right into advanced benchwork. While going over skills in beading, knotting, and wirework, there are a series of easy to learn, and well laid out, projects. If there are any techniques you aren't interested in learning - you can skip them - there are more than enough skills and projects to keep you busy while advancing your skills. Once you've mastered a skill, or simply want to move on, you can skip to the projects section, and make practical use of the skills by making fun and appealing projects.This book is substantial and complete. It's one of the most comprehensive books I have on jewelry making without just glossing over any subject. I've been making jewelry for about 12 years, and (primarily) donating, and teaching for about 10 years. I would recommend this book as an addition to any jewelry makers library - especially visual learners.

I love this beading/jewelry resource--the photos, the descriptions, the organization and explanations. The author covers a lot of information, and the instructions and photographs are clear and easy to understand for the most part. I didn't give this book five stars because I ended up needing to buy a more basic resource with even larger photographs and clearer explanations. For example, after reviewing this book, I still didn't know what tools I already had and what I needed or the differences between them. There are so many different types of pliers that I've needed to find more information. I also had additional questions about wire gauges and beads in general. I've also needed to look to other sources for inspiration as this book may tell you what to do but not offer examples of what you can do with what you know. In sum, though, I think this is an excellent how-to resource.

I've been playing at jewelry-making for six or seven years and have read several books on my hobby, but THIS one is the one I was looking for. How I wish I had read it as soon as it came off the press. Michaels does an amazing job of taking each element of the work, and giving details often overlooked by others, details that can make all the difference. In each description of needed items she includes numerous ideas and helpful hints and ideas on how to best use each thing she describes. I've not encountered such an in-depth book in terms of actually working our craft.The visuals are excellent; I was amazed to find that II was never left trying to figure out anything (as has always happened with other books) Okay--I'm dense, but dense people like to do things well too! Chris Moyer has done a Grade-A job and I heartily recommend this book to anyone the least bit interested in jewelry-making. A must-have.Chris, it's clear that you have an excellent understanding, and a brilliant mind to categorize so well the huge amount of information needed for this hobby-work. I especially appreciate the warmth of your presentations and know that other readers will tune into it as well. At no time did I feel like a dunce listening to a teacher; I felt, from start to finish, like "Grasshopper" being led by a "Master." Thank you for investing so much of yourself into giving the rest of us what we need to also be very good at our craft (Ariel I.).Very good visuals--images that truly explain. That missing data is only part of