Book Review: Totally Twisted

Title: Totally Twisted Innovative wirework & art glass jewelry

Author: Kerry Bogert

Pictures: 10/10
Clarity of Instruction: 10/10

Complexity: 3/10

Overall Score: 9/10

I'm going to do something a little off the wall with this one and list my complaints about this book first. Guess what? I only have one! The only thing I could find that bothered me about this book is that I can't afford the lampwork beads to make these cute pieces!  Now let's get on to the good stuff ;)
The designs in this book all work around basic wire working, and an essential tool for this is a wire gizmo (or something that will allow you to have long consistent lengths of coiled wire). You also need a good pair of pliers or two for this, and maybe some ice for your hands. I kid you not, it's hard for me not to ditch doing this and sit down to try and just make the wire components from this book. The pictures are large, and clear. There is no questioning about what you're trying to do in any particular step. The basic techniques section in the front is clear and concise without spending too much time on it. Digging into the meat of the book, I love the palettes that were chosen, and the designs are a lot of fun, both to look at and to wear (from what I can tell anyway). At the beginning of every design, there's a bit about it, a list of materials and tools you'll need as well as a list of techniques. Simple, straightforward, and well organized, while still being nice to look at. (I admit, I'm a sucker for a well designed book.) What I loved most about this book was the beadmakers section in the very back. It lists every lampwork artist whose beads were used in the book, which projects they were used in, a bit about them, and how to go about getting in contact with them if you want to purchase some of their work.

Do you have any thoughts on this book? Feel free to comment below. :)