Reviews (85)

An amazing adventure in glass beadmaking!
This full color book is a complete treasure trove of detailed instruction, eye candy and offbeat humor for the beginning beadmaker and the advanced beadmaker. As a beadmaker myself, I really looked forward to receiving this book, because Corina's were the first lampwork beads I ever owned and I adore her designs. When I received this book in the mail, I was elated and it completely surpassed my expectations. Corina covers the basics of learning to make glass beads, and then treats the reader with quite a few step-by-step instruction pages on specific designs. There are tips and tricks on safety, equipment, color, glass characteristics and even going into business as an artist. The whole book is completely filled with gorgeous color photos of all kinds of beads - and that alone was worth the purchase price. The end of the book (in the first edition, at least) has several adorably decorated plain pages for you to make notes and draw pictures of your own designs. This book remains one of my very favorites on the subject of making glass beads, and will occupy a place in my studio for years to come. Thank you Corina!!

An essential book for the beginning beadmaker
Before I began making beads, I read everything I could get my hands on, including this book. Now that I melt glass regularly, I still refer to this more than to any other. Corina is an extremely talented beadmaker and, in this book, she freely shares all of the tips and tricks of the trade with clear, step-by-step instructions (with LOTS of color photos) that gives newbies a great start, and broadens the knowledge base of even the seasoned beadmaker. She also tells you WHY things work as they do, and encourages experimentation. Unlike many other books for beginning beadmakers, she also covers studio setup and safety. When you are working with pressurized gases and a 1700 degree flame, safety is something you need to understand thoroughly before beginning to work in this mesmerizing medium. It's the next best thing to having an instructor standing at your elbow.

The excellent information on techniques gets 5 stars...
This book provides a wealth of how-to information on soft glass beadmaking and how to achieve various effects. The step-by-step instructions and pictures are excellent -- there is a lot of information that I haven't found anywhere before in print. A lot of the stunning techniques are broken down and demystified for the beginning beadmaker. I can see why so many others have rated this book so highly. I would definitely give the how-to content 5 stars.

There are only a couple of things that prevent me from giving this book 5 stars overall. One thing is the many typos. While this might not bother some, to me they were distracting, and made the book seem that much less professional. I don't necessarily blame the author so much as the editor -- these are things that should have been caught easily during editing. Perhaps they will be corrected in later editions.

The second (and more serious) issue I had was that of safety. While the author does talk about studio safety and what others do, it seemed that she trivialized some aspects and even mentioned that she does not always follow the recommendations herself. It's true that she is just being honest about how she works; however, with so many people looking up to her as a lampwork expert/role model, and using this book in lieu of taking a class, this is a bit disquieting. More is being discovered every day about the various hazards, as well as how they can be minimized, and even if she does not plan to follow all of the recommendations, I wish she had been a bit less casual about such an important topic.

Isbn: 0971964300
Subjects:  1. Art   

Reviews (4)

The most comprehensive book on glass beadmaking
If you're interested in making lampworked/torchworked glass beads, this is the one book that you need to have on your shelf. It may not become your favorite bedtime reading, but it's an indispensable resource for answering the practical questions that you'll have. There's plenty of technical info, particularly on safety issues, but it's presented in a way that even non-science geeks can understand. There's also a gallery section of pictures of artists' beads, although this is primarily a book for practical information.

Amazing work by Mr. Kervin...
When reading through this book it's hard not to believe that this had to have taken Jim Kervin years to finish. I don't think he left out ONE thing. When it comes to molten glass, ... a virtual plethora of information. What a useful book to have around. If you can't find the answer to your glass question in this book, I'd be surprised. I highly recommend this book...it is always within arms reach. Well done!

A must for someone starting out in glass beadmaking
This book is invaluable for anyone interested in glass beadmaking, from beginner to experienced beadmaker. It goes from safety and studio setup to techniques used in creating various glass beads both using soft and hard glass. It highligths some methods for pulling cane and making murrini. It is an all around excellent instructional book, but definately not a coffee table book.

Reviews (31)

This book was awe inspiring
After reading Cindy's book, my stained glass studio got a total makeover and is now a glass bead making studio. Cindy's easy read, good basic step by step instruction and choice of beautiful and inspiring photographs had me hooked. I carried this book under my right arm for about 3 months and still keep it within arms reach if for no other reason to get inspired by one of the many talented artists featured in Cindy's book. I would recommend this to anyone the least bit interested in glass beads, whether wanting to make them, collect them or just look at them. Thank you Cindy, I'm having a blast!

'Making Glass Beads' - Essential
This book is an excellent how-to for making beads. The book has the right amount of information, is easy to understand, and has wonderful pictures that depict what the step-by-step instructions are telling you. Not only that, but each page has five or so images of work by other well known beadmakers. Anyway, author Cindy Jenkins covers most beadmaking techniques, from stringer to frit, from hollow to sculpted beads, from tools to torches. 'Making Glass Beads' is essential for beginners and an excellent reference for pros.

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Reviews (5)

"Lapidary Review" - What a total misnomer!!
I expected this magazine to cover articles related to rocks, cabochons, semi precious stones etc. I have just received my second issue. At least 50% of the 95 pages are simply advertising - which I think is, to put it mildly, far too much. Their features this month are: "Dreaming in Metal," "Improving you Opal cutting," "2004 AGTA Spectrum Awards." The Step by Step projects include: "Forged hinged bracelet." "Ancient Vessel" - using glass, foil, and lampworking skills to create this "fun" pendant!!" , and how to make a pair of bell earrings using PMC paper!!

Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary defines lapidary as:"a) sculptured in or engraved on stone; b: of or relating to precious stones or the art of cutting them; c) having elegance and precision." This review deals with nothing even close to this definition. I wish I could cancel my subscription, but there is no place on their website where one can do this.

gone downhill
This used to be a great magazine but in the past year they have changed format, and have cut their articles by a third. The projects they go over have become less challenging, more for crafters then for jewelers. A third to half the magazine is advertisements, and they are always, the same.

Isbn: 1579904580
Sales Rank: 4766
Subjects:  1. Beadwork    2. Catalogs    3. Crafts & Hobbies    4. Crafts / Hobbies    5. General    6. Glass & Glassware    7. Glass beads    8. Hobbies/Crafts