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Ceramic Bead Jewelry: 30 Fired & Inspired Projects (Lark Jewelry Book)

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Disappointing -
I have purchased many books published by Lark in the past and have been delighted, but this one is not up to their usual standard. I found the writing a bit awkward and confusing.

I've never heard of glazes referred to as overglazes...took me a while to figure out what she was talking about.

Here is one example of a confusing statement: ... "Once you've fired the bead in the kiln, you embed the wire permanently into the clay." I had to reread the paragraph 3 times before I realized that the wire is put into the bead before you fire it. The sentence would have been more clear had it been: "Place the wire loop into the soft clay bead, and once fired it is permanently embedded in the bead"

I was particularly interested in using pmc with clay beads, the section on that idea left me with more questions than answers.

I also thought the photos, while well shot, didn't quite illustrate what the author intended.
I presume all the illustrated projects were by the author as I saw no credit given to them...another disappointment. I would have liked to have seen other artists interpretations/examples. I would have wanted to know that before I bought the book.

A list of sources for material was also lacking in the book. Usually Lark books include that.

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Exactly what I needed -
I stopped making pottery on the wheel about 15 years ago when my arthritis became too severe. Now I find myself making jewelry, and I am excited to return to working with clay as part of my new hobby.

This book would be most useful to those who have a background in working with clay. I do not want to suggest that the author failed to cover any necessary information; this is a field in which details are important, and I don't know how you could learn everything you need to know from any book. If you really want to make clay beads, pendants, etc., and you've never worked with clay, this book would be an excellent addition to a pottery class. Even though the book is very thorough, I don't think you can expect to pick it up (or any other book, either) and have all of the information you need. For one thing, the information you need will in part depend on what's available in your area from your local suppliers. There are different kinds of clay bodies and various kinds of glazes - you can even make your own, but that's getting pretty advanced. Electric kilns are different from gas kilns, which are different from wood-fired kilns. . .which are often artisan-made, and no book will provide what you need to know about those, as they are all different, and often must be fired several times before their quirks are understood.

A few weeks ago I went out and bought 25 lbs of porcelain, and even though I have quite a bit of experience with it for throwing and handbuilding, when it came to making small objects with holes, I had a lot of questions. This book answered every one of them, and I'm grateful I found it. Although I won't be making any of the author's projects, as her taste and style are very different from mine, reading through the projects still yields a lot of important information. If your taste, also, varies enough from the author's that you don't think you will make any of the projects, that's not a reason to shy away from this book. There's enough information there to guide you through your own variations so that you can produce your own artistic vision.

Read her instructions carefully, as they contain a lot of information. If you've not worked in clay before, I would strongly suggest taking a pottery class and using this book, along with your instructor's direction, to fine tune your craft. Then find another instructor. Just as one book can't possibly teach everything, neither can one instructor. This is a wonderful, rewarding hobby, and this book is an important part of the literature.

Great ideas!! -
I love this book. I am a beginner and was very inspired by the author and the great projects you find in this book. Very bright colors. I can't wait to work on my blue dot bracelet!! The steps are very well explained. Thanks for inspiring me!

mixed reaction -
This book is beautiful and full of inspiration, but weak on technology in my opinion. I bought it, sight unseen because I have been making ceramic beads for some months now, and experiencing a very steep learning curve. I hoped the book would address some of the problems I have been experiencing, however, this book reveals no big secrets. I am glad I bought it, but it was not all I hoped for.

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A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever -
"Ceramic Bead Jewelry" is a "how to make ceramic beads" book, but I didn't get it because I'm planning to make any beads. I got it more as an inspiration book. It has beautiful photography and layout, and I like looking at the pictures of the finished pieces. Jennifer Heynen, author and artist, has a bold graphic style that is very appealing.