Video #733: In today’s video I review a book about Micro Macrame Jewelry, by completing one of the projects in it.
Today’s Book about Micro Macrame Jewelry, was written by Jenny Townley.
Since I just did another book review last week, I had not planned on adding another one so soon. But… I ended up making a macrame bracelet out of the book, that I am giving to my Mom for Mother’s Day, so I kind of had to do this review now, before I give the piece away.
The book that I talked about last week was, Bead It, Iron It, Love It! … and I ended up using one of the Perler bead patterns in the book, as the design for making a polymer clay cane. Since there were a few viewers who were concerned that my cane might not reduce very well, I wanted to quickly show everyone that the pattern does in fact reduce beautifully, right down to a very tiny size with no distortion at all.
Now, moving on to this week’s Micro Macrame Book… I felt the best way to do a review is by actually tackling one of the projects.
I made a bracelet from the book, but had to tweak the design a bit, in order to be to be able to use my own polymer clay focal bead.
Flipping through the book, it is set up pretty much like any typical craft book, with the basic information on tools and techniques at the beginning, and projects sections to follow. I will say that the book design is nice, with beautiful photography and nice project designs.
On the book cover, it says, “Every technique explained, for beginners and up” … however, I would say that it is really more suited for intermediate Micro Macrame and Jewelry makers, due to the fact that some important pieces of information were missing.
In many craft books, it’s common to see missing steps, primarily because of publishing restrictions. Often there is not enough room for all the photos and detailed steps that are necessary to give good instructions… so they are edited out.
For example, the Beaded Bracelet with Focal Center design that I chose to do, did not show the back of the focal bead, and how it was added to the bracelet. Nor did it show how to finish the knotted ends and add the ribbon clamp. Now because I am not a beginner, and because I have a wide range of jewelry making skills, I was able to figure it out. But for someone new to the craft, I am not sure if they would be able to complete the project and achieve professional looking results.
As you will see in the video I decided to tweak the pattern a bit to better suit the polymer clay focal bead I chose to use. I also explain how to finish the cord ends and add the ribbon closure.
These ‘holes’ in information with many books, are the very reason why I think good video tutorials can be a more effective way of learning. With properly filmed videos, you can capture all the steps and hand movements that it takes to make a successful project.
All that being said… I do like and will recommend the book for Intermediate jewelry makers… and will end up making more projects from it. The designs are quite lovely.
I hope this review was helpful for you… and that my Mom likes the bracelet.
- Related Resource: Micro Macramé Book by Jenny Townley on Amazon
- Related Resource: Mini Macramé Board on Amazon
- Related Resource: Dazzle-It Asian Knotting Cord on Amazon
- Related Resource: Ribbon Clasps on Amazon
- Related Video: Perler Bead Pattern Polymer Clay Canes
- Related Video: Shopping at Shipwreck Beads
- Related Video: CaBezel Polymer Clay Cabochon
- Related Video: Drilling Holes in Raw Vs Baked Polymer Clay
- Related Video: Vol-078 Faux Raku Macrame Bracelet
Do you have any suggestions for videos on tips, techniques or products you would like to learn more about? Let me know in the comments section below!
My goal is to help you to learn quicker and easier ways to bring up the professionalism in your polymer clay art.
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Looking forward to hearing from you!
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HI Cindy,
It’s really great to get an honest opinion on products like books pointing out little things that are missing.
The good and not so good. I have to admit though that I prefer ebooks or online tutorials like yours so that I can work along with it, pausing the tutorial while I catch up. Great it’s like having a one to one lesson.
Many thanks
Marie
ps Doug, The camera quality is so so good now, especially when it zooms in, previously it used to send my eyes blurry and had to shut until I thought the zooming had stopped.
Hi Marie,
Thanks for the comment and the kudos :-)
This post was sitting here for longer than normal without any comments, so we were beginning to think you guys weren’t really liking the topic or the presentation very much.
Hopefully others will chime in as well.
Are “Cindy Style” book reviews something that we should do more of in the future?
Is Micro Macrame of interest… or not?
Let us know…
To answer your questions, Doug…
Micro macrame? Not particularly interested myself (too fiddly for me) but there may be lots of others who are and I can live with it if you do more :-)
“Cindy style” book reviews? You betcha! I’d rather hear honest opinions, both good and possibly not so good, before buying a book.
HI Cindy and Doug,
I only spotted the video this morning and do check every couple of days but hey got it in the end. Yes, I do think there should be more reviews and if possible some reviews on ebooks.
Yes, Micro Macrame is interesting and would like to think I could incorporate it in with Polymer so if Cindy wouldn’t mind sharing her knowledge with us all via some tutorials that would be fantastic.
Have a good week and hope things soon get better in your country following the terrible fires. Do you live any where near the affected state?
Thanks Marie
Thanks Marie for your feedback. Just so you know we are very far away from the forest fires happening up north, but it is very sad to see what has happened there for those living in Fort McMurray. :( I can’t imagine what that would be like to have to grab what you can and run… not to be sure if you would have anything to return back to. Life has enough challenges as it is. Fortunately, no one was killed and many homes were saved. But it will take some time to rebuild and recover from such devastation. My heart goes out to any family that has been impacted by a natural disaster such as this.
Hi Cindy and Doug,
I thought I’d just let you know that the email/link to the Micro Macrame from yourselves has only just landed in my email inbox. Wonder if it’s same for everyone, maybe that’s why there’s been no comments yet.
Hi Marie… yes same for everyone. Right now, we are publishing new videos each Monday… and then we email the the links to the Monday video on Friday (today).
The clasp – using the sew on for attachment – is wonderful. Love your review of the book also, so many books leave important stuff out, that can make me crazy when I get halfway through. Magazines can do that also. Keep up the good work, LOVE your videos, wish you had a “like” on this page, or have I missed it?
Thanks Susan! By the way, you actually can ‘like’ one of our posts, by sharing it. You should see some floating icons on the left side of the page that you can click on to share it to your other social media sites. Thanks again, I am so pleased that you are enjoying what you are learning here!
Yes Cindy and Doug, I just got it in my inbox this morning also. Great review. The bracelet is gorgeous and I’m sure your mom loved it.
When are the new paid tutorials going to start again?
Hi Wilma… in case you didn’t realize it… your fix of new paid tutorials hasn’t really stopped at all.
During the extended period that it is taking us to get the new web site renovations done (to get them done right)… we are continuing to upload 3 (new-for-you) back issue Volumes to your library account, with each quarterly payment that you make.
When we have updates to announce about the new site, we will definitely post that info in the Email Newsletter, as well as here at the blog web site.
Thanks for being a valued member of our PcT community.
I thought your review was excellent Cindy.
I think instructors who do things regularly often just blaze through what they are showing because they’ve done it so many times and they forget there are those of us who haven’t and need that extra step. So easy to forget and leave out. How often have you said ‘Oh! you should do this’ to anyone – because our mind just moves on. I can see that happening so easily when putting together a book – all those perfect pics etc. etc…something that isn’t required when doing a video – just focus and shoot…
I thought your solution to adding the focal was great. I have a question though. How does it feel on the wrist – that hook under the focal – and how easy is it to actually put on your wrist with the hook being hidden under the focal.
Secondly – with the great weather I think a lot of us are spending time in the yard and not in front of the computer. I just got to this with my morning coffee and noted that you were wondering why the lack of comments.
And lastly – You wondered if we would do micro macrame. I like the look of it but just don’t have the patience for it – that and the tiny wire wrapping people are doing. I obviously need to do some yoga and zen out. :0)
You make a good point about the back of the bracelet having possible issues with wearability, however, I wore the bracelet myself for two days and found it very comfortable to wear.
I think it was because of two reasons… one the hook was designed to sit up against fabric and usually in an area that would have some pressure against it, such as at the waist. If it were to jut out or be abrasive in any way, it would eventually cause damage to the clothing. It being a rather old method of fastening, I am guessing they have tweaked the design to sit nicely, over the years…
The other reason is that the macrame design is fairly thick and therefore the focal bead sits up higher on the knotted area and away from the skin.
As far as easy to use, I found it quite easy to hook on. The loop is large enough and the hook small enough that you could just hold the large focal and grab the hoop with the hook. My Mom had no problem hooking it on and said it was comfortable to wear. (She loved it btw.) So overall, it was a successful bracelet design! :)