Book Review:Wire Jewelry VISUAL Quick Tips by Chris Franchetti Michaels

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Wire Jewelry VISUAL Quick Tips by Chris Franchetti Michaels

Spiral-bound: 224 pages

Publisher: Visual; Spi edition (January 9, 2009)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0470343842

ISBN-13: 978-0470343845

Just like Visual Quick Tips Beading book I reviewed last month, author Chris Franchetti Michaels Visual Quick Tips Wire Jewelry book is a winner!!!!

Along with tons of tips, tricks and how to’s, it also has the coil wire binding so it can lay flat while you have 2 hands full of wire and pliers. I really think ALL jewelry instruction books should be bound this way!

As with the Beading Visual Quick tips, this book has lots of detailed color photos and concise instructions so you never have to second guess how to bend a piece of wire or guess what size gauge you have in your hand. This book is a MUST for anyone who wants to start making wire jewelry or as a handy reference guide for more advanced wirewrappers.

Chapter 1 is all about jewelry making wire-types of wire, wire shape, gauge, temper finishes and care.

Chapter 2 goes over wirework tools. From pliers to wire cutters, hammers, block, mandrels, files and more. There are pictures of each, so you can tell the difference between a rubber mallet and a chasing hammer.

Chapter 3 is all about safety, storage and organization-all important!

Chapter 4 is when you start working with the wire-Basic wirework includes making jump rings, eyepins, basic wire clasp and more.

Chapter 5 is more advanced techniques. You’ll learn how to make a wrapped briolette, wave finger ring, herringbone wrap and more.

Chapter 6 is wire chain. Make S hook chain, double spiral chain, byzantine chain and other fun chains.

Chapter 7 is using a wire jig. From basic techniques to wire jig patterns.

There is an appendix with the American Wire Gauge chart, coils per inch reference char, millimeter and inch conversions, oxidation methods, polishing techniques and resourses. I love this book and you will too.

Lots of Americans seem to think that May 5 is Mexican Independence Day, but that holiday actually falls on Sept. 16.

May 5 is the celebration of the Battle of Puebla, in which the Mexicans defeated the French in 1862. Independence Day marks the beginning of their fight for independence from Spain in 1810. That was the day of what’s known as El Grito de Dolores, or the cry of Dolores, for when the Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang the church bells at his church in Dolores and declared that Mexico should be free from Spanish rule.

They would fight for their freedom until 1821 when they finally gained independence.

Fabulous Classroom has a little of the history and ideas for celebrating the holiday for all age groups. There’s also a link to a good video in that post about the real story of Mexican Independence Day.

Twinkl also has a good tops about the history and different activities, discussion ideas, crafts and foods that can be incorporated into lessons at school or used at home.

I also found a few pins that no longer link to a website but include good information on Mexican Independence Day, including some questions for students to answer based on the reading. You can find more printables and questions for kids from TX Homeschool Mama on Etsy (also available in Spanish).

You can find a lot more paid resources about Mexican Independence Day at Teachers Pay Teachers.

Mexican flag crafts are a fun option for celebrating Mexican Independence Day (though the current iteration of their flag has only been in use since 1968). Kids Activities Blog has a free Mexican flag printable and a few different ideas for decorating it including dot markers and torn tissue paper.

You can also find some great Mexican crafts at Red Ted Art. The post includes all sorts of Mexican inspired projects including Day of the Dead crafts, Frida Kahlo pinatas and upcycled musical instruments. I love the giant paper flowers they shared from Honestly WTF.

Have you read?