I am a confessed art book addict. I spend so much time enjoying my library that I don’t spend quite enough time creating the wonderful things the books inspire me to try. However, I choose only my very favorite books to review for Now What?, so I recently was trying to figure out what makes a book a favorite.

It has to push the envelope, of course, exploring new directions in whatever media is its subject. I really enjoy seeing a project that looks incredibly complicated, and then seeing the “how to” diagrams and quickly grasping the simple steps to get to that complicated result. And that is exactly my experience with this wonderful book by Jane Davis..
Jane drew all the diagrams herself - using a computer drawing program and you can easily understand them at a glance. It is not an simple thing to illustrate pliers and their positioning on the wire but she has done a great job. For example, her diagram of the proper way to separate a jump ring by pulling the two sides of the split in opposing directions is so much more elegant than my own fumbling attempt in this issue’s Wire Basics article. When multiple steps are involved in a procedure, the diagrams follow each other in logical sequence, so you can follow as well. And this a is a good thing.
After the initial introduction to wire working tools, materials, and basic techniques, Decorative Wirework is divided into two sections.

The first covers jewelry - featuring a wide selection of earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and even dinner rings that you would not believe you could make at home. Instructions are included for wire “cages” to encase stones or glass pieces, and there is a chapter devoted to simple pendant designs intended to show off special beads. What I found especially interesting was that I could easily see how the components of these jewelry projects could be used as charms and embellishments in the paper arts field as well.

I was equally pleased with the other main section of the book which deals with things for the home - everything from simple ornaments to a beautiful box embellished with an intricate wire leaf motif (shown above). There are bookmarks, jar lids, lampshade “fringe”, and even an exquisite tealight holder made entirely of wire and beads. Again, it was fun to think of all the other things you could do with these beautiful components.
About Jane Davis
I have not met her in person, but I did enjoy a “meeting” by telephone with Jane. She lives in Ventura, California with her family which includes three young sons, a husband, and a cat named Kahlua who keeps her writing chair warm for her.

Jane has been involved in arts and crafts all her life and had a jewelry piece she created in high school actually make it into an art exhibit at the LA County Art Museum.

Jane has a Fine Art Degree, but as often happens, life took some detours (raising sons etc.) until the “beading bug” bit in the late 90’s and she found her niche. She self-published several books on beading and fell in love with writing books in the arts and crafts field, which she no longers needs to self-publish. Knitting and Crochet are other areas of expertise on which she writes professionally, and she teaches beadwork classes.
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Decorative Wirework
by Jane Davis
Krause Publishers, 2002