Fiber-Wire Beads & Jewelry by Lisa Vann
ISBN 0-87349-445-8, Softbound, 127pgs., $21.95US, Krause Publications, 700 E. State Street, Iola, WI 54990-0001,  715, 445-2214, www.krause.com

I first met Lisa was when I reviewed her book, Make Wire Beads, and we have been friends since.  Lisa used primarily wire for projects in her first book.  Her latest book, Fiber-Wire Beads & Jewelry, is a fun and exciting book combining wire and fibers to form beads and jewelry.  Most the techniques are easy to learn and many of the projects quick to make. All the projects are in color and small beads are frequently added as embellishment.

Lisa invited me to contribute a couple of bead crocheted bead projects for her book.  As we emailed back and forth, I became more curious about her projects.   I was excited to receive a copy and finally see what she had been up to.  I found the layout pleasing and the colorful beads a treat for the eyes.

One chapter is devoted to crochet.  My two bead projects include how to convert them to ropes, add beads to single crochet, standard bead crochet instructions and patterns .  Lisa’s crochet directions are not worked like standard crochet with patterns.  She describes how to work crochet stitches in a narrative along with photo illustrations of working crochet onto, through or around the wire to create the project. Lisa uses crochet to cover or embellish wire frames and shapes.  You do need to know how to chain, slip stitch and single crochet to work all the crochet projects.

The braided necklace with bead crochet combined could also be worked using fiber netting instead of crochet, however, crochet works up much faster .  The crocheted necklaces incorporating metal chains are easy to adapt and create a whole new look.   I have pulled out some of my old chain necklaces to experiment.  Cuff bracelets are another interesting concept with crochet worked over the frames.

Lisa makes cuff bracelets using other techniques in various chapters of her book.  You can make frames using some old thin metal bracelets worked together or bracelet blanks (plain plastic or metal bracelets) or jewelry frames.

Lisa’s book is primarily dedicated to diversity of techniques including wrapping, coiling, braiding, winding and twisting for exquisite beads and jewelry.  The materials section is very thorough, acquainting you with the latest of wires, sizing, dowel types, pliers, yarns and threads and jewelry findings applicable.  This section includes color photos with examples of wire sizing from thin to thick.  A definition of terms and basic techniques follows.

Each bead building technique is worked step-by-step with color photos.  It is fun to see how the wire is wrapped and the fiber combined for unique finishes.   Types of sealants to use and protecting the fiber wires are discussed.  Instructions are provided for finishing the bead ends and adding wire as part of the findings, creating an attractive jewelry finish.  Lisa discusses the use of bead caps and disc beads for ends of fiber-wire beads.

In addition to making the fiber-wire beads that can be used as components for jewelry, Lisa created  projects for making a variety of necklaces.  The ball chain rope is elegant, who would ever have thought of using ball chain as necklace sections?  A thick fiber braided choker with wire insertions and the fiber wrapping is classy; a fiber and wire wrapped choker with coral for a sea motif; chokers that begin with wire and then add fiber and beads in the choker and as tassel hangings; fiber and wire beads that are all smunched up and look like solid metal beads worked onto a choker; a donut metal shape wrapped with fiber and wire and used as a focal piece are just more of the goodies included.

One choker is made of thick gauge wire that is shaped, then the ends wrapped and shaped with fiber, coiling the end for a finished pendant.  There are also cuff bracelets that can be worked with winding and coiling fiber and wire onto thicker wire; beads that are made with the same techniques forming various shapes and spiral coiled earrings that are very easy to make.  There is a mini loom bead that is simple and yet lovely with a handmade wire frame and fibers woven between the coils of wire.

Linda Hendrickson contributed a project using 4-ply cords to make plied cord bracelets.  Linda explains how to make the cords first and then make the bracelets.   The basic concept of these bracelets immediately gave me ideas for making items using other techniques.

After an exciting look through all the projects and beads that can be made, a gallery of bead and fiber art awaits your eyes.  My Malana and Gamay beads can change appearance just by the type and bead size used and some of these bead variations are in the gallery.  Lisa also included a bead crocheted bead ring that I made and embellished with thin metallic threads.   There is a neckpiece Lisa created using a beautiful enamel pendant by Susan J. Lewis; a choker created by Mishi Campbell using polymer beads by Susan Berkowitz which is reflective of a coral reef and awesome chokers by Linda Hendrickson of fiber and wire.  Linda excels with her usage of fibers to create illusions of dimension.

Fiber-Wire Beads & Jewelry is a book chocked full of bead projects; beads wrapped with mesh beads, beads worked with sparkly eyelash fringe and embellished with beads and wire that will stir your children and grandchildren’s imagination to experiment.  These beads would make superb decorations.  It is always a wonderful surprise to find a book with so many easy designs, some that are more exacting while others allow for extensive experimentation. .   You will love the results for one of a kind beads and jewelry.