Book Review! - Stylish Jewelry Your Way

Compiled by Karin Van Voorhees

Published by Kalmbach Books

Fabulous, Simply fabulous book!  Kalmbach has done it again! This book is a compilation of projects, styles, techniques, and designs to wet the imagination and inspire one to "get busy creating"!

Put It In Reverse with Polymer Clay by Sheryl Yanagi

All of the 32 projects of stringing, stitching, wirework, metalwork, polymer clay, metal clay, and resin have been formerly published by Kalmbach in Beautiful Jewelry Make It Wear It, Bead&Button, or Bead Style magazines. The most wonderful addition in this book is the Bonus DVD featuring 28 techniques.

If you love to create, experiment with new techniques and materials, or simply want to stimulate your creative muse for a new design, this book will do that. I just love it! The step-by-step directions are easy to follow. Pages 89-94 give Basic instruction in stringing, stitching, wirework, metalwork, clays and resin. The DVD also explains basic skills with close-up demonstrations of 28 techniques. I personally enjoyed several of these. I have tried for quite some time to get my tubular peyote stitch to look right. Seeing it close-up on the DVD was very helpful. I also enjoyed the metal clay demonstration. The DVD run time is 77 minutes; however, it is designed to watch for assistance, to refine a skill, or as a confidence builder as you work on a particular project.

Newfangled Bangle, pages 82& 83, by Sherri Haab.

The book is divided into 5 categories: Romantic Allure (7 projects), Tailored Classic (6 projects), Urban Edge (8 projects), Bohemian Beauty (6 projects), and Modern Art (5 projects). Each project also offers a Budget option to make it more affordable or a Design option for more creativity. In addition, each project lists the materials, tools and supplies, techniques, and DVD review locations. Some projects even list a location from which to purchase particular materials.

Bracelets in Bloom, page 14, by designer Naomi Fujimoto

This project is found under Romantic Allure. It has a Design Option for a ring strung on memory wire with a showcase of Lucite flowers. 

Wrap and Weave, pages 31-33, is a Tailored Classic project by Kris Silva. It has a Design Option turning the bracelet into a choker!

These Lovely Latch-backs found on pages 52 & 53 by designer Leanne Elliott Soden use metalwork and wirework techniques. Learn how to cut your own disks on the DVD!

Last but not least, a project I made!

This is the bracelet I made from the project by Kim St. Jean under Tantalizing Triangles, pages 56-58 in conjunction with the Patina Compass Blog Hop by Kathy Lindemer of Bay Moon Designs. I have already worn it & received so many complements!

This book definitely is worth adding to your collection! It instills confidence to try new techniques or just to "dabble in something different"! Try it, I think you'll like it! :)

Patina Compass Reveal!

"Is better late than never!" a good motto?

In December 2013, Kathy Lindemer with Bay Moon Design put out the call for designers who wanted to try patina. Since it was something I've been wanting to try, I signed up. A few days later, in the mail, comes this wonderful compass by Vintaj.

Unfortunately for me, the cedar season hit hard in our area making me very ill this year. So the compass was moved from room to room, to suitcase, to computer bag, to chair, .....  Well you get the picture! Until one day, I couldn't find it at all!!!!!

At last, I found it! However, I'm new to patina and so it didn't quite turn out as I imagined. I used Andirondack Alcohol Inks in Red Pepper & Oregano colors with Silver Guilder's Paste.

I guess it's not bad for a first shot, but I really wanted the colors to stand out stronger. So if any of you have suggestions, I'm really open to them.

My mom had surgery this week, so while I was at the hospital waiting & waiting & waiting, I worked on the pieces to go with the compass. Several people moved to the other side of the waiting room, probably because they couldn't stand the grinding sound as I smoothed & filed the edges on the copper. :)  It was a little humorous & if I hadn't been in such a crunch I would have had pity on them! But I had no extra time. Sorry people!

And all this turned into - My compass clips broke so I attached it with wire after I punched a few holes in it :)

Thank you Kathy for this wonderful opportunity to try this new technique and for putting on this very interesting blog hop!  Now I can go blog hopping!

Hostess:  Kathy Lindemer,  BayMoonDesign 

Jennifer LaVite, Dry Gulch Beads and Jewelry

Karia Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyn's Creations

Shai Williams, Shaiha's Ramblings

Jessica Murray, Whimsical Monkey
 
Tammie Everly, TTE Designs

Kay Thomerson, KayzKreationz Blog

Claire Fabian, Saraccino

Christie Searle Murrow,  Charis Designs