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

Into The Forest Blog Hop

I must apologize to everyone. 

My blog & pictures are going to be very late! 

In the area where we live the Cedar trees are blooming outrageously this year. 

Unfortunately for me, I'm highly allergic & thus have been very sick. 

Today I went to the doctor after feeling sick for about two weeks now.  I have thrush (a yeast infection in the throat/mouth that usually babies get not adults), conjunctivitis, swollen glands which are so bad they've knocked my neck out of place which in turn has affected my left arm/shoulder/back area making moving very difficult. I feel like I have the flu but no just a very bad case of Cedar Fever! Yuck!

So I'm super sorry Lisa, I have not been able to finish my project or blog. Hopefully by Monday I will have finished and only be a little over a week late :(

Soutache & Bead Embroidery - Book Review!

Soutache & Bead Embroidery

by Amee K. Sweet-McNamara

Published by Kalmbach Books

What is Soutache (pronounced as "su-tash")? It is embroidery with or without beads that many have called cording or braiding. It has been around for hundreds of years, used on upholstery, uniforms, wedding dresses, and used in making tassels. I myself have used it in upholstering furniture without really knowing the names of what I was doing. 

When I received this book, I was rather unsure of what Soutache  was. However, upon further study, research, and internet exploring, I found that this technique, art form, and jewelery design is very popular. Old has become "new" again - what goes around has come around again! 

Aren't these gorgeous!

The book begins with a wonderfully detailed Supply List - which is so important for those of us who don't know where to start. Next comes eight fabulous pages of Techniques. Each technique is named with a picture & detailed description. These pages were extremely helpful as I worked through a project to refer back to for assistance.

Chapter One: Creating Basic Shapes has 6 projects. Each building techniques so that your knowledge and ability to recognize these basics grow as you go! These core concepts begin even the most elaborate of projects or designs.

Princess Earrings on page 19

This first basic shape is also known as the "lollipop". It is the nucleus for many other shapes and projects. It is finished with the "Eskimo slipper" to make a complete basic shape.

Each project gives the basic shape learned, tools to be used, materials needed, & instructions with detailed picture.

For example, the Pinwheel Bracelet highlights the Basic Shapes of pinwheels and spirals. The Bonus Skill is embellishing edge beading.

Chapter Two: Adding Elements expands on talents learned in chapter one, adding in cabochons, flat beads, rhinestone chain and more. The instructions are simplified in this chapter but if you need help, refer to the Techniques pages 10-17 at the beginning of the book.

Suspended Stone Necklace on page 41

This is the first project in Chapter Two. Each of the projects in this chapter "Concentrates" on working with certain designs, techniques, materials, etc.. with an added Bonus Skill.

The Suspended Stone Necklace project concentrates on working with large, flat beads. The Bonus Skill is working with metallic braid. Obstacles that would be encountered are addressed and overcome.

Chapter Three: Layers and Light introduces techniques to use to break up the volume of your Soutache work so that it doesn't become "heavy" both in actual weight and visual mass.
 Each project in Chapter 3 also has a Concentration Skill and a Bonus Skill.

Blissful Abundance Necklace

For example, the Blissful Abundance Necklace project on pages 79-83 concentrates on designing with multiple techniques with a Bonus Skill of Soutache-wrapped straps. Incorporating multiple techniques into a single piece increases the perception of complexity and detail. I found these projects very intriguing to my creative muse. 

"Dangerous Liaisons" necklace, 2013 from the Gallery

This book has 18 detailed projects designed to challenge the beginner and the intermediate beader. However, I think even the most advanced beader would be intrigued. The book ends with a gallery of 16 beautiful Soutache & bead embroidered jewelry creations by the author.

I have totally enjoyed this book and my interest in Soutache is piqued!

Thank you Amee Sweet-McNamara and Kalmbach Books for publishing this beautiful book!

BOOK REVIEW - Bead Meets Metal

BEAD  MEETS  METAL

by Kay Rashka

published by Kalmbach Books

The author & artist, Kay Rashka, knows her business. She has been creating jewelry for 25 years, 20 of those years have been working with metal. She is well known in the jewelry making industry and her work has been featured in Art Jewelry magazine.

If you've ever had a desire to work with metal and don't know how or where to start, this is the book for you. I've taken several classes & still wonder what to do. This book is a jewel! This book merges  metalworking techniques with wirework and beading. You learn how saw, form, drill, and texture sheet metal which are techniques necessary to make earrings, pendants, bead caps, charms, and other findings. The author also teaches how to form and forge wire to create clasps and earring wires. Some projects call for the use of heat with an easy-to-use, handheld butane torch. You will also learn how to ball wire ends, anneal, and solder metal. This book is packed with teaching tools, techniques, tidbits, alternative ideas, tips, and other information to help you be successful in learning metalworking.

The book begins with Materials and Workspace Safety. Then comes 22 pages of Fabrication - Tools & Techniques. These wondrously filled pages include learning how to cut, saw, drill, form & forge, texture, and finally closes with finishing the metal, followed by forming spirals, making earring wires, antiquing, etching, tube-riveting, and making jump rings. Each lesson includes the tools & materials needed with step-by-step instructions & pictures. I really enjoyed that at the top of each project the techniques used are listed; highlighting the new techniques.

I just love the Kimono Earrings Project on pages 48-50. New Techniques: sawing, creating stamped designs, doming. There is a box under each project that lists: Tools needs, Additional Supplies, Materials, & Beads. Then there are Design Notes & finally Variations to this project. Each project is unique & inspiring to the imagination.

Then there are the Etched Earrings with Turquoise on pages 58-60.. New Techniques: etching, designing earring wires. There are Tips & Design Notes & 4 Variations at the end of this project.

Finally, I also really enjoyed the Riveted Beach Stone Bracelet on pages 74-77 & learning how to rivet large stones to use in jewelry. New Techniques: drilling large holes in stones, soldering bead chain ends. Design Notes & Safety Tips were very helpful in sizing & choosing stones.

If you've ever had a desire to work with metal and don't know how or where to start, this is the book for you. I've taken several classes & still wonder what to do. This book is a jewel!

Pictures Become Collage

TaDa!!!

After many tries I have finally discovered how to make a collage. Now to perfect the process & remember how I did it!

Lampwork & Clay Blog Hop - The Reveal!

A few months go, Lisa Lodge of Pine Ridge Treasures organized this wonderful blog hop. We had the choice of either lampwork or clay. Since I really like both, it was a hard decision.

Lampwork won out on the coin toss up! 

The beads are beautiful! Marcia Seever of ShaZazz Glass is the wonderful creator of these beauties! What beauties you might say .... well  I did it again!   I forgot to take pictures of the lampwork before I began - SIGH! ;)
Does anyone else relate to this "Problem"!!!!????  :) 

It took me awhile to decide how to show off these beauties. In fact, I didn't come up with an idea until midnight last night!  I think my muse was sleepy! .........  However, after much brainstorming & dragging out a bunch of beads & wire, she finally woke &  ...... This is my newest bracelet!

(From left to right) The lampwork beauties are the first bead - brown & white swirl, the third bead - brown with black & orange, and the last bead that is multi-colors of blue, white, brown & orange (it actually reminds me of a fish. Aren't they gorgeous?! I added accents of turquoise, tiger's eye, brown Chinese crystals of different shades from ZnetShows , black Czech crystals, & a stone (the round grey with red) I found down in Mexico that I have no clue what it is.

Thank you Lisa!

Check out the other participants from the list below! I'm off to blog hop  -- ENJOY :))

Our hostess:  Lisa Lodge, A Grateful Artist

Mary Govaars, MLH Jewelry Designs

Melissa Trudinger, Bead Recipes

Kathy Zeigler Lindemer, Bay Moon Design

Laurie Vyselaar, Lefthand Jewelry

Annette Rivers, MamaOwl's Mess

Karin King, The Sparkle Things Blog

Shaiha Williams,   Shaiha's Ramblings

Mimi Gardner, Baubles, Beads and Other Curiosities

Dee Alcalde, Agape Creations Jewelry

Kay Thomerson, Kayz Kreationz

Karla Morgan, Texas Pepper Jams

Lori Jean Poppe, Lorillijean Creative Corner

Eleanor Burian Moore, The Charmed Life

Terri Wlaschin, Dances in Fog

Sharyl McMillian-Nelson, Sharyl's Jewelry

Jo-Ann Woolverton, It's a Beadiful Creation

Veralynne Malone, Designed by Vera

Linda Aspenson Bergstrom, TBD

Toltec  Jewels, Jewel School Friends

Judy Turner, Silver Rains

Gloria Allen, Gloria Allen Designs

Kathleen Douglas, Washoe Kat's

Connie Tipton, TBD

Christie Searle Murrow, Charis Designs Jewelry

Andrea Glick-Zenith, ZenithJade Creations

Michele Dotson, Star Jewels

Chris Eisenberg, Wanderware

Jennifer Clifford, TBD

Kathleen Breeding, 99 Bottles of Beads on the Wall

Molly Alexander, Beautifully Broken Me

Loretta, Loretta's Boutique

Carolyn Lawson, Carolyns Creations

Shirley Moore, Beads and Bread

Bonnie Coursolle, Jasper's Gems

Alice Craddick, Alice's Beads and Baubles (reveal will be delayed a few days)