Jean reviews Wonderful Wire Jewelry: Make 30+ Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces, and More by Erica Swanson

I love to wire wrap, don't you? Even if you have never tried it before, you will be delighted by the offerings in this new book by editor Erica Swanson. She is joined by twenty-one contributors, including Janice Berkebile, Lisa Niven Kelly, Barb Switzer and Brenda Schweder. Wonderful Wire Jewelry has tons of  bracelets, earrings and necklaces to start your spring off with fresh and lively new designs. Don't worry if you are a newbie: a sensible basics section is waiting for you in the back of the book. You will soon understand the types of wire and their properties, the tools you will need and what they are called, and the techniques which are used in wire wrapping.

The projects begin with bracelets and cuffs. Celebrate the month of February by creating the very first project by Janice Berkebile, the "Entwined Hearts Bracelet" in copper. You will want to make it as a tribute to Valentine's Day, but it is also is a heart link bracelet with a heart clasp to wear year round, The warm copper color is a lovely reminder of hearts and love, and copper wire is easy on the budget as well.

If you haven't been introduced to Barb Switzer yet, wait until you see her "Hinged Framed Cuff" in the same first section. You will be able to choose to make the hinges from hardware cloth which you get from garden centres and hardware stores, or you can cut your own framed hinges with a Dremel.
These framed hinges then are stacked one up, one below,so that your bracelet has a step effect. Within the the frames are the beads of your choice. The resulting bracelet is unique and perfectly beautiful.

The Bracelet and Cuffs section has tons to love. The reader will find all sorts of projects made of all kinds of wire.  However, so does the Necklaces and Pendants section, which follows it. The "Flower Pendant" by Lisa Niven Kelly, which features 18 gauge wire spirals woven into a flower using 28 gauge wire and then oxidized, is both lovely and hip. Worn on a silver necklace with a jump ring she teaches you to make, this will be one of your go-to signature pieces.
Check out the "Rain Chain" necklace by Brenda Schweder, which uses her own invention: the tool,
"Now That's a Jig!" This necklace is made of steel wire as well as Swarovski components. Although steel wire is a challenge to work with, this teacher makes is far easier due to her jig, and the results are beautiful.

The Earring & Rings section is full of glamorous and fun pieces to try.
If you love earrings, try the "Waterfall fern earrings" by Erin Paton.  There is a template for the reader to follow to make these elegant sterling earrings. These gracefully swirling earrings are really lovely and would suit anyone's taste. Be prepared to get tons of compliments on these if you decide to make them.
The "Scrollwork" earrings by Collette Kimon will appeal to the Victorian lover in you. Heavily oxidized sterling is wrapped and coiled and accented with beads.
There is an introduction to riveting in this section which teaches the reader to make riveted earrings (as well as a matching bracelet which adds to the fun). By Irina Miech, it is called the "Riveting Spirals" set.
The final project, by Dawn Horner, is a powerful and stylish ring offered in copper or sterling. Called the "Crazy Eights Celtic Ring" it enables the reader to learn to make an "update on the timeless infinity symbol in a contemporary ring," How can we resist that?
Wonderful Wire Jewelry: 
Make 30+ Bracelets, Earrings, Necklaces, and More
by Erica Swanson
has way more to offer, project-wise than I have mentioned. Each tutorial is lovely and different. This book is varied, wonderful and worth owning!