Jewel Loom Inspirations: Quick and Fun Beading and Jewelry Projects

I was shopping for something else on Amazon and this showed up as a recommended item. Because I thought the bracelet on the front was so lovely, I clicked on the link. I ended up buying both this book and a Jewel Loom. If you don't want to buy the Jewel Loom (for what it's worth, they are pretty inexpensive), I would say, based on my past experience with other looms (mostly the cheap craft store variety) that you can do most, if not all, of these projects on other looms, so don't let that stop you. (You may have a bit of trouble using really thick warp threads on the looms that have springs across each end.) This does have fairly extensive instructions for using a Jewel Loom at the beginning, which I appreciate.One thing I really like about this book is that it gave me a ton of ideas. I had always limited myself to using seed beads on looms in the past. But here are bugle beads, 2-hole squares, square/cube beads, faux pearls, and lots more. I have a massive order of Miyuki Tila beads on the way now (these are slightly different 2-hole squares than the CzechMates the author uses, but I have confidence they will work), just because I love flat square beads so much. For the first time, the author of this book has introduced to me the idea of using different sizes of beads in the same loomed piece, by stringing the warp threads farther apart in some places and closer together in others. (Of course this will take a bit of measurement and practice.) I know that some of the beads used by the author in the sample pieces (like 2-hole pyramids, some of which I have and which I've been struggling to think of how to use) would be difficult to incorporate into off-loom bead weaving. Anyway, maybe this information is not new to everyone, but it is certainly eye-opening for me!Another thing I like about this book is that it gave clear instructions on finishing the ends of loomed pieces. I have struggled with this in the past -- probably because, although I have a lot of beading books, I didn't have any loom books until now. Anyway, this instruction was helpful and the techniques it presented were effective.The photography is lovely and there are full color instructions for 17 projects. If you want to see if the author's instructional style is for you, the instructions for one full project are available in the "Look Inside" preview. (As a side note, I love this. Too many craft book previews stop right at the end of the list of tools.) I am not saying I would make every project in the book (some are a little "out there" for me) but there are enough that I love to make the purchase of the book worthwhile, and there are ideas and advice sprinkled throughout.It is true that there are some loomed pieces shown in the "inspiration gallery" at the end of the book for which instructions are not provided. Most of those have loomed bases and then some embellishments added, and they are of common materials like 15/0 seeds beads, faux pearls, 4 mm and 6 mm firepolished beads (or crystals if you have the budget). I am not personally having any trouble figuring out how these were made just by looking at the photos and thinking back to the directions in the book. (In fairness, I spend my free time leafing through Fire Mountain catalogs, plus I have been beading off and on for over 20 years, so perhaps I just have a really good level of knowledge about bead types. I also rarely copy a design from a book exactly, but use different colors and embellishments to suit my own personal style. This book gives me the tools to go in the directions I want to go, and I am happy with it for that reason.)Overall, definitely glad I bought this. (You will need to make an investment in a few tools, clasps, ribbon, threads/wires/cords, beads, and a loom to get started, if you don't already have a massive stash.)

Easy to use!! Really! If you try a standard loom kit there is just no comparison. It only has two parts. The instructions are easy to follow. You can join a whole community of nice folks on Facebook and You Tube that are creating with a multitude of instructional videos and ideas. Not just for seed beads. You can use a multitude of cords fiber and strings to make it your own as well as almost any bead!! Love it!!!

I love this book! I just bought the Jewel Loom about 3 weeks ago and I have been having a blast with it. While this book does have some step by step instructions it's mostly a book to give you ideas of what you can do. I would say that this book is geared to those that have intermediate to advanced loom beading skills. There are some step by step instructions, but I would not say they are geared towards the beginner. There are many cute patterns and ideas. It really gets the creative juices flowing. The pictures are great as well. The price maybe a little steep, but there is a lot of work that went into making this book and I am not just talking about the layout of the book but the beaded projects and ideas as well. I will keep this book and I know I will refer back to it many times to help inspire me.

Using the book has given me inspiration for some projects. Easy to follow.

Beautiful book with helpful tips on finishing off loom bracelets and using square double hole beads. Also shows loom earrings and loom pendants. Wonderful illustrative pictures. Shows good use of colors. A truly eye catching book with some great ideas but really only uses square beads with no real delineation. I am glad I bought it because I am fairly new to looming and the tips alone were well worth it. I feel I got a great book for the fair price. I recommend it especially to newcomers to looming. It also profiles the use of the "Jewel loom" which she designed. I recommend her loom for quick projects not really bigger than bracelet size. I also use her loom.

I own the Large Beading Goddess, the small Goddess and the original jewel loom. I purchased this book to get me started. In my opinion it covers everything. The photos are beautiful, the projects inspiring and lots of step by step instructions. Definitely a must have for every Jewel Loom beader!

A wealth of information. Great for beginners or advanced. A good number of projects, with instructions and supply list. There is a section at the end that is just pictures, but it is not long and is clearly marked. So glad I bought this one!

This book is great! I love Jewels' loom! I have another loom and just could not make it work, but this one is so much easier and the book has so many great designs and ideas in it! I just can't wait to make more!

Good instructions for each item.

Los patrones mostrados son muy interesantes

Great reference book with beautiful illustrations. There are a few patterns that can be used. This book has so many inspirations! I am happy with my purchase.

Fabulous

great ideas