Jewel Loom Inspirations: Quick and Fun Beading and Jewelry Projects Paperback – January 12, 2016

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.)

This loom is easy to use & fun to make jewelry on.

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 looked all over for the best deals on pattern books and this was one of the 2 I came up with for my girlfriends daughters birthday ..Anyway the book is nice and she is happy with it so I would absolutely suggest this brand to anyone looking for patterns .10/10 I would definitely order again

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!!!

Jewel Loom Inspirations is a good beginners book. It spells out and illustrates basic techniques with clear text and close photos. I would have preferred that various looms be used, as not all users would have or want the specific variety used. This book is an ad for the Beadaholique flexible loom. Additionally, I expected some more patterns with which to go on practicing and creating. So, I guess I find the book is more instruction than inspiration.

Absolutely gorgeous photos! Juliana "Jewels" Avelar has outdone herself once again. The book is filled with beautiful projects: bracelets, rings, earrings, necklaces, clothing accessories, and more. The book is well laid-out. Each project begins with a detailed materials-needed list, followed by step-by-step written and photographed instructions. I can see that they will be easy to follow to complete any of these gorgeous pieces. This is a fabulous gift for anyone who enjoys beautiful things. Even better - it arrived more than 3 weeks early - just in time to be wrapped and put under the tree. Truly a gorgeous book!

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!