First Time Jewelry Making

This is a very comprehensive beginners guide to jewelry making. It breaks down each category to a very basic level while inspiring you to try something new. This is a must read for anyone looking to learn or refresh your jewelry making skills.

This book is more than just an education in beading but also serves as a refresher for the more experienced header as well as a way to try something new. Beaders can never have too many beads or too many books!
This is one that should be in every beaders library.
I received an arc from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really liked how this book broke down jewelry making. Each section discussed different types walking you through all the steps and then ending with a project using all the skills you acquired. This was a great hands on experience,

First Time Jewelry Making is an impressive book as it covers everything from the start to make jewelry. It is a big book that can be considered like a bible of jewelry making as it gives extensive step-by-step explainations accompanied by photos. It is also great when you feel like refreshing your knowledge even when you are already and advanced maker.

First Time Jewelry Making
The Absolute Beginner's Guide--Learn By Doing * Step-by-Step Basics + Projects
by Tammy Powley

Having dabbled a bit in stringing beads I thought this might be the perfect book to give me a bit more information to use in the future and BOY did it ever! I have always wanted to know how to knot between beads and learned not only how to do so with one but also with two strands and didn’t even know that was possible. I saw more equipment for jewelry making than I realized there might be and learned the technical terms for various items. I had the urge to go out, buy some tools, buy some wire and beads and see what I could make. I didn’t go but I still wanted to and can see anyone reading this wanting to, too.

Thank you to NetGalley and Quarto Publishing Group – Quarry for the ARC – This is my honest review.

5 Stars

Always wanted to learn how to make your own jewelry yet felt overwhelmed by all the different books? Well look no further because this is the perfect book to get you started on your jewelry making journey. It is more comprehensive than the usual introduction to beading books and includes topics not usually included. such as fabricating metal, metal clay and resin. Everything is broken down into small steps and each one is illustrated with large close-up photos. Quite frankly, I have never seen so many photos in a how-to jewelry making book. Most importantly, I believe this book is for more than beginners because of the diverse topics and techniques.

First Time Jewelry Making: The Absolute Beginner’s Guide starts with a discussion of all the tools with explanations and large photos of each. Next is a comprehensive review of jewelry findings (earrings, clasps and connectors) and an explanation of when or why to use them.

The rest of the book is divided into 6 general sections - Bead Stringing, Wirework, Chain Making, Fabricating Metal (using metal sheets and wire into jewelry without soldering), Metal Clay, and Resin. With each section, Powley lists the materials needed, teaches all the techniques and then provides projects in order for you to learn by doing. There are also very helpful tips throughout this book designated with a little picture of a plier.

To illustrate the abundance of photos, let’s review the Bead Stringing section. The first topic is Crimping using a crimp bead or a crimp cover. In addition to explanatory text, there are large photos for each step — 4 photos for how to use crimp beads and 3 for crimp coverers. Next is how to use Bead Tips and that includes 7 large photos for each step. The third technique is Knotting and there are 7 steps with 7 photos depicting the steps for 2 strands and 4 for 1 strand necklaces. The projects are a beautiful pearl bracelet with knots and a multiple strand floating bead necklace.

The Wirework section includes how to make your own findings, such as making simple loops, wrapped loops, wire hooks and so much more. Powley also shows how to wire wrap beads and using wire both as connectors and in design.

I am completely new to Chain Making so reading what supplies I would need as well as the step-by-step instructions with large photos for each step made me feel comfortable attempting this craft with the projects presented in this book. The same is true for Fabricating Metal and Metal Clay. I have dabbled in Resin before and felt this section was thorough and complete. And while I have made beaded necklaces before, there is so much I learned from this book that will greatly improve my work.

This is the most comprehensive jewelry making book i have ever seen and the abundance of large close-up photos make it the most photos visually and user friendly. I guarantee that no matter how much jewelry you’ve made, you will learn something new in this book.

Thank you to Quarto Publishing Group - Quarry Books and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

First Time Jewelry Making
by Tammy Powley

If you have never made jewelry before, this is the perfect book to learn how to. Everything you will need from tools to beads and wires are listed. Many photographs are provided along with detailed instructions on how to bend and twist wire, along with placing beads.

Many techniques are included in this book. Everything from wire crimping, metal work, clay and resin creations. By following the instructions in no time you’ll be making some pretty cool looking jewelry.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#Netgalley

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to review First Time Jewelry Making. I enjoyed this book very much, I am not a novice at jewelry making, however, there were many things that were new to me as I read through this book, I am definitely going to sit down when I have time this summer and reread this book and try some of the techniques that the author described.

First Time Jewelry Making is exactly what it says on the cover. It's an introduction to jewellery making.

Tools, materials and methods are introduced and a lot of colour photographs offer step-by-step instructions. especially explaining certain knots.

The photographs seem a bit old fashioned, as well as some of the materials used in the pictures. Still, the content is very informative, especially for people beginning jewellery making.

First Time Jewelry Making by Tammy Powley is a tutorial guide with progressive lessons in beginning jewelry making. Released 26th March 2019 by Quarto on their Quarry imprint, it's 128 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

I worked as a goldsmith for 16 years (before I went back to school to become a full time bionerd). I was lucky enough to apprentice to an amazing master goldsmith, however for most would-be jewelers, that's not an option, or desirable, since most people enjoy jewelrymaking as a hobby and aren't interesting in shifting careers. This book is for them.

The author begins with a thorough introduction to tools and some safety. I will note that for students just starting out, buying all of the equipment she lists in the introduction would scare away all but the most ardent/wealthy would-be-jewelers. Proceed through the lessons included in the book, by all means, but I would strongly recommend holding off on any equipment purchases until you feel the need to access holding you back or seriously hindering your growth as an artist. I am a total tool junkie and as my teacher once told me, remember humans were making jewelry thousands of years before electricity. Start with hand tools, you need the pliers and nippers listed in the introduction. Buy the best tools you can afford; you don't want pliers flying apart at a critical moment (been there, done that). The introductory sections cover about 12% of the content.

The following chapters start with simple materials and supplies introductions, progressing to short mini project tutorials using the techniques pictured. Highlighted sidebars provide concise materials lists for each tutorial. The techniques and processes included in the book cover: bead stringing, wirework, chain making, metal fabrication, metal clay, resin and paper.

There is a good resource and links list at the end, along with designer info and a short index. The resource lists are slanted toward North American readers, however a short internet search will provide sources for supplies which are available to readers in other parts of the world.

This book should give the beginning jewelry artist enough confidence to seek out further instruction or progress independently. I am slightly concerned that it felt as though the author was skirting around the use of a torch in the projects. Torches are mentioned in conjunction with metal clay projects and briefly elsewhere. I do understand of course that this book is 128 pages and a full discussion on torch use would take up too much of the page content. The information is readily accessible elsewhere on the internet/youtube. I strongly recommend that students do their homework before investing in any particular torch; talk to jewelers doing the same sort of work for which you want to buy one.

Well written and clearly photographed with attractive, easily modified projects.

Four stars.

A great intro to the basic materials needed for jewellery making and starter examples into many types of jewellery making, from stringing to metal work and resin.
Clear photos and instructions.
A nice into from anyone looking at different approaches to jewellery making and deciding which to try.

First Time Jewelry Making by Tammy Powley is absolutely wonderful. There are so many crafters out there who would like to get involved in jewelry making but have no idea where to start. This book is perfect for the crafter who wants to learn from scratch. The tools are expertly explained, the types of wire, beads, how to crimp and a million other techniques that are so useful and inspirational. The photos and illustrations are spot on and easy to follow. I would highly recommend this book to get started on the proper footing for jewelry making. Well Done!

Great book for first timers as well as intermediates! The author goes over the directions clearly with illustrations. I like that she explains the tools and supplies needed and where you could find them. I learned several new things in the beading section and would like to attempt making chain jewelry as well. I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This a very thorough guide for anyone who wants to make jewelry and doesn't know where to start. Is filled with techniques, materials and tools, as well as clear instructions. Its main strength is as a complete guide, more than a source of visual inspiration (although it all includes examples of finish pieces).

Thanks to NetGalley for providing and ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Truly a great beginner book, FIRST TIME JEWELRY MAKING contains sooo much information and guidance it’s almost overwhelming. Detailed explanations of each tool, and how to use them. Focused exercises on things I wished I had really practiced in the beginning of my own jewelry making. Overall, definitely a book I would even keep in my library for when I do need refresher information along the way.

This book provides a systematic and well-illustrated introduction to basic techniques in jewelry-making with simple tools. The focus is mostly on the use of hand tools, beading, wire manipulation, polymer clay, etc. rather than methods requiring acetylene torches. The photos demonstrate the use of the tools in excellent detail, and there is enough information about each technique to give the reader a solid start and then to decide whether to plunge in with more specific books on that topic. I was particularly impressed at the professional-looking results of some of the simple chain-making methods involving making and connecting thick jump rings. I wasn't expecting that level of sophistication, because many introductory books focus on simple bead stringing that looks like anyone could put together. This book combined with a few simple tools would make a good gift for someone looking to get started with handcrafted jewelry making.

From beginning to end, this book details what a first time jewelry maker will need. I myself find it overwhelming on how to construct jewelry items. I don't know where to begin, I have no idea what to get, or materials or tools I'll need.


The author goes in to great detail on what tools you'll need what they do and how to use them. The materials you may want to work with and how to work with them. The author also narrates the different types of equipment you can use, and safety precautions and items you may need to use.

The book provides examples on how to create specific jewelry pieces. Lists are provided detailing the exact materials and equipment you need and step by step how-to's to create the piece of jewelry.

After reading this book. I find it's a great reference in getting started in creating jewelry pieces for the first time. The author has provided enough detail on tools materials and precautions one will need to get started. It's simple and easy to understand.

The content is very extensive, and includes Basics, Bead Stringing, Wirework, Chain Making, Fabricating Metal, Metal Clay, and Resin. All of them with sub-sections full of information and photos to go along the tutorials and instructions.

Each of these sections will walk you thru skills and techniques on that specific section, culminating on a project where you can use the techniques just learned.

I leaned so much about jewelry making tools. I know which ones I need and want to buy, and which ones I won’t be playing with because they go beyond my interest as a jewelry maker hobbyist. I love this craft, but I am not looking to be a professional maker.

The abundance of photos included in this book as reference or as part of the step by step tutorials for the jewelry making part is impressive and very extensive. I find is always better to have more than you need when it comes to reference, than not enough and feeling lost in the process and not being able to finish a project for lack of guidance. (in other words, I am very happy with the amount of photos displayed in the book).

All the projects are beautiful, beginner friendly (as the book announces), and are made with the techniques that the book teaches.

So all you need to get started is to read the materials and tools sections of the project and get your supplies ready!

The eight projects are:

A knotted Bracelet
A multi stranded necklace
Crystal earrings
A two-tone bracelet
A double chained bracelet
A heart pendant
Silver link and crystal earrings
A Japanese lady bug pendant

My personal favorite is the Multi Stranded Necklace. Is a very modest necklace, but very beautiful. I can see myself not only making this necklace, but also wearing it with different outfits. Maybe even make the same design but with different colors and different kinds of beads.

If you ever wanted to get started in jewelry making but you’re the kind of person that prefers a guide to walk you thru the process, this is a great beginner’s guide that can help you start making different kinds of jewelry.

This book shows a variety of jewelry making techniques, with step by step instructions and lots of photos. There's a very good overview of tools, findings, bead types, and materials necessary for jewelry making, including using more complicated materials like metal clay, sheet metal, and resin. There is a simple project included for each section to help you get started. The book covers enough information to give you a taste of the techniques to get you started and see what you like, but you'll need to look elsewhere for more focused instruction, say if you wanted to learn more about a particular technique. This isn't a bad thing, just saying don't expect to learn everything you ever wanted to know about jewelry making from this book. It's great for beginners, and more experienced makers can brush up or explore new techniques.


#FirstTimeJewelryMaking #NetGalley

After now trying this book out for a while, it’s fantastic, clear instructions on how to do what. Would recommend for anyone wanting to learn a new skill

Jewelry making was my favorite hobby. This is a best book for the beginners who want to start making jewelry.......

If you are truly a beginner, this book is a great starting off point. There is a comprehensive list of critical tools and techniques.

I would gladly buy it for anyone wanting to learn the skill.

DISCLAIMER: A digital copy of this book was provided by NETGALLERY in exchange for my fair and honest review.

Great book for absolute beginners in jewellery making. The title was best viewed on my iPad as opposed to my Kindle device. I love DIY projects and this definitely helped fuel my passion further. Will be sharing this title with my mum who loves making jewellery for her Etsy store.

An impressive and thorough guide to hand-making your own jewelry! I've loved beads since I was a kid and have been inspired to stop by my local craft stores to rekindle the joy of jewelry making! The sections are broken up into comprehensive and sensical divisions for beginners and intermediate makers.