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| Creating Crystal Jewelry with Swarovski: 65 Sparkling Designs with Crystal Beads and Stones | 
 enlarge | Author: Laura Mccabe
Publisher: Creative Publishing international
Category: Book
List Price: $24.95
Buy New: $14.74
You Save: $10.21 (41%)
New (23) Used (5) from $14.74
Avg. Customer Rating:  32 reviews
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 128
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.5
ISBN: 158923345X
Dewey Decimal Number: 745.5942
EAN: 9781589233454
Publication Date: February 1, 2008
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Brand New, Perfect Condition, Please allow 4-14 business days for delivery. 100% Money Back Guarantee, Over 1,000,000 customers served.
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
Elegant, old-world jewelry with modern style.Working with world-famous Swarovski crystal beads, author Laura McCabe creates luminous necklaces, earrings, pendants, and rings for beaders of every skill level. The author provides complete step-by-step instruction for 20 projects (10 for beginners) -- and presents 45 more in a photo gallery of design variations, teaching readers how to vary colors and shapes to create custom effects. All 65 designs are made with only three simple beadwork techniques: flat peyote stitch, tubular peyote stitch, and spiral rope. Laura McCabe also provides a chapter on making decorative embellishments, such as bezels, picots, berry clusters, and branch fringe. The concise instructions are illustrated with easy-to-follow illustrations. - Beaders of any skill level can create their own high-end, boutique-style jewelry
- Goes beyond stringing to teach readers three basic beadweaving techniques and principles of design
- Only book on market endorsed by the worldAes leading manufacturer of cut-crystal beads
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| Customer Reviews: Read 27 more reviews...
 Disappointed and in the Minority December 27, 2008
I was really looking forward to "Creating Crystal Jewelry..." as I greatly admire and respect Laura McCabe, I believe that this was her first book release, which made it all the more tantalizing to wait for the insight and projects that have made her (as another reviewer said) one of today's beading greats.
Sadly, the book is a disappointment. Although the instructions are very clear and abundantly illustrated, the project on the front of the book is about all you are going to make. It seemed like most of the projects were variations on the one piece of cover art, which is nice, but I didn't buy a book to show me all sorts of variations I could have thought up myself.
Most of the projects feature Swarovki Rivolis, a disc shaped glittering stone which is the center stone in the cover art "flowers." Rivolis can also be purchased from other manufacturers for a lot less money, and it's no surprise that a Swarovski (sponsored?) book doesn't mention less costly alternatives. The projects call for these expensive stones, as well as 3mm and 2.5mm Swarovski bicones, which are relatively new and relatively rare. One gets the impression that the whole book was written as a big commercial for Swarovski. I don't mind Swarovki's ads, but normally I am not expected to pay for advertising. Another huge turn off was Laura's statement (paraphrased) that she alone created the current demand for such stones, because a few years ago, no one but she was interested in them. That is simply not true.
One cost saving and terrific learning tool is to make these projects with low cost materials the first time, saving the Real Deal Swarovskis for when one has mastered the technique and decided that the project is worth the relatively large expense of Swarovski beads. I made a trial version of the cover bracelet with pretty buttons in place of Rivolis and inexpensive Czech fire polished beads in place of the Swarovski bicones. It looked beautiful when it was finished, and is far more appropriate for daytime than the cover bracelet. I later made the bracelet with Rivolis and bicones. It looks every bit as nice as the cover bracelet - thanks to Laura's incredibly clear instructions and method of teaching. The only thing is that I really have no place to wear something like that. It's glittering away on a bracelet stand in my workroom, and I alone am there to see it sparkle.
All in all, the book is a mixed bag: pretty eye candy that repeats itself endlessly, and beautiful, clear directions that don't give you an option to learn technique without breaking the bank. Too bad. I expected so much more.
 You've got to buy this book October 24, 2008
To say I love this book is an understatement. The explanation of tools, beads, and crystal guidelines are just what every beader needs. Don't think this book is just for crystals either. There are many techniques that can be used for other types of beads. A++++
A Luscious Book! October 15, 2008
Laura McCabe has written a luscious volume full of vibrant Swarovski crystal jewelry. Who among us doesn't love the sparkle and color of Swarovski crystal? Bicones, faceted rounds, rings, rondelles, one of my favorites - margaritas and rivolis! Combined with seed beads to create bezels, Laura is a master at making the beads and crystals sing with color and sparkle. Included are Laura's most notable designs, the Rings and Things Necklace, the Three-Strand Rivoli Bracelet and the Crystal Burst Ring.
The book is organized into seven instructional chapters followed then by the crystal jewelry projects. Chapter one is a brief but comprehensive history of cut crystals. Chapter two is a detailed discussion of the types of seed beads and crystals used in the book's projects. Chapter three describes tools and materials. The four basic stitches needed to create the projects is the topic of chapter four.
Beaders are resourceful, they can make beads mimic almost anything a metalsmith can do. The bezel is a good example. Seed bead bezels and open-back bezels are described in chapter five. The resourcefulness continues with chapter six where the reader learns to create a toggle out of seed beads. Chapter seven is like the cherry on a sundae, a final, sweet sprinkling of sparkle - embellishments and then it's on to the projects.
In the chapters that teach a off loom technique, there are pictures of completed steps. It might have been helpful to include pictures of the step in progress but there are detailed written directions that may do just as well.
What I love about the projects is the "Beading time" given at the top of the project. It gives you an idea of how long it will take you to do a project. There's also a little synopsis that gives you an overview of the project. Sets the tone and the direction which I find very helpful. On pages 29-31 there are guidelines for bezeling rivolis and other crystals that is worth the price of the book.
The techniques in this book can be used with artbeads to vividly highlight the colors and characteristics of a special cabachon or bead. An art bead can take you in a unique and interesting direction - flameworked disks will have a distinctly modern twist. Try it, you'll like it!
Wonderful Addition To Any Beading Library September 17, 2008
This book is wonderful, beautiful projects, great instructions! This is a definite must for anyone who loves to bead with crystals and seed beads. Laura really makes it easy to follow her instructions, even if you are attempting the stitches for the first time. Look forward to making everything in the book. :)
 Beautiful designs September 6, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This much anticipated book is a winner.Supplies are quite costly,so plan to spend some$. Directions are clear. I've been beading for 5 years and now only make pieces I really love. Great way to use those rivolis! Janet from Florida
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