Thursday, July 26, 2012

SHOWCASE 500 BEADED JEWELRY



A Grain of Sand

Have you ever walked on the beach and felt the warm sand between your toes? The warmth envelopes your entire being. Sometimes a rather drab day enfolds you in this wonderful happening. As I experienced this book, I kept thinking about the grains of sand that are part of the entity that makes up “beads.”

“Showcase 500” introduces the wonderfully talented artisans that take these tiny spherical forms and create magic. Many of the wearable art forms must have taken hours to create, but what’s the rush? The finished pieces are glorious. Bead weaving, bead embroidery, and bead stringing are some of the methods embraced to produce these amazing body and hand adornments.

After perusing the book, I watched a video of Teresa Sullivan’s bead work. She is a master in this medium. The piece she demonstrated was a sculptural bead head. Her actions were quick and decisive in her choice of beads and colors. The finished bead was quirky and delightful.

Met Innmon drew me in with her Egyptian Waves Collar. I could visualize it as Cleopatra (Elizabeth Taylor) wore it. No wonder Julius Caesar (Richard Burton) could not resist her wily ways.

Hub Peterson’s Blue Waterlillies necklace is beautifully designed and constructed. Wow, wouldn’t I be the bell of the ball at a summer party as I entertained in the gazebo.

The photographs in this book captured each and every tiny colorful speck worked by the talented beaders as they created. What a delightful memory of my walks on the beach this inspiration book elicited.









Wednesday, July 25, 2012

METAL CLAY & COLOR


24 In a Box

Ice cream cones were special. But, my favorite treat was a “24 in a box” crayon set. At that time, this box was considered to hold all the colors of the rainbow and then some. I could spend hours swiping them across the paper, coloring in blocks of letters, melting and combining them, and generally enjoying all their intrinsic colorful beauty.

I got this same sense of the effect of color when I reviewed Kalmbach Publishing newest book, “Metal Clay & Color.” Several years ago I played around with metal clay. Although there were many aspect of the material I found to be interesting, the lack of color to me was a turn-off. Not anymore! This “colorful” book by Mary Wohlgemuth, with a foreword by Celie Fago, is a must see, must have read for all metal clay artisans.

There are numerous projects listed beginning with “Easy keum-boo” where one can even utilize gold leaf, to a series of “Legends Rings” where one is introduced to the use of dichroic glass scraps to create various colored dynamic cabochons.

Color agents such as dye oxides, polymer clay, ceramic clay, and low fire under glazes are utilized in many of the projects. Gilders paste, a durable wax medium is introduced which adds an extra punch to the Flor earrings project. Alcohol ink is another technique used with great success.

This book is a Pandora’s crayon box of more than 24 colors for the metal clay artist. Watch out “Crayola” you now have lots of competition.



Friday, July 20, 2012

Steve Shimatzki is the winner of “21st Century Jewelry” sponsored by Lark Books.

If you would like to be in the random drawing for “1000 Rings” published by Lark Books, please enter your name in the “comments” section under the review. This current contest ends July 31st. All review are published on my web site at
http://www.rite-it.blogspot.com.

If you would like to read additional reviews about this book, click on the Amazon.com banner above my profile. You will then be linked to their site where you can also purchase this book, books, or other merchandise. Linking through my site to Amazon.com will help increase my book review rating.

Saturday, July 14, 2012

1000 RINGS


A Smorgasbord of Styles

Several years ago, Robert Ebendorf presented a seminar at Craft Alliance in St. Louis. He also stated at the time that “rings have always made a powerful statement.” I was wearing a necklace which I had designed with an intricate chain....think “rings.” He pointed out the various features of these rings and the construction of the piece. I was flattered by his comments and have continued to think about my message when I envision a design.

The wonderful and diverse variety of the rings featured in this book is both imaginative and engaging. I was delighted with the whimsical feathers incorporated into Serena Van Rensselaer’s “Isadora Ring.” Hope her client checked on the weather report before venturing outside.

Eva Werner’s ring reminded me of a hamster’s wheel. Thought it would be fun to take a spin around town with this on my finger.

Bruce Clark’s “Scratch That Itch” ring demonstrated in my mind that on design day he was warning people that they had better not get too close.

Inasmuch as my primary interest is “textile techniques in metal,” I loved Cathy Chotard’s gold and nylon thread ring. SergeyJivetin’s “Volume” ring elicited that same kind of response.

Michael Boyd’s rings were very captivating with their encrusted gemstone shanks. This “Poison Rings” group would certainly come in handy if one was in a tight spot.

Jeffery Taylor’s ring would be helpful on the cleaning lady’s day off.

Junghyun Woo’s “Something Container” with ring was beautifully simplistic. Each complimented the other.

All rings featured in this book illustrate the creative nature of the designers. Their choice of material is endless which range from every day items found in the home, and field, to gold, silver, platinum, titanium, gemstones, pearls, etc. The designs run from the ridiculous to the sublime. They are great conversation starters which don’t belong in gallery drawers, but on fingers for all to examine, question, and enjoy.




Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Women From The Ankle Down

The Story of Shoes and How They Define Us

Rachelle Bergstein

I really did enjoy reading this book by Rochelle Bergstein. She took the readers on an exciting walking stroll thru the definitive history of shoes.

Her research is impeccable as she traces the “shoe biz” captivating stories of Ferragamo’s humble beginnings in the period before WWI. Shoes were created by hand whereas now they are mass produced by industrial footwear manufacturers.

In ancient times certain types of shoes designated status. Times haven’t changed according to Bergstein, although the styles and materials are now limitless. One can pay an arm and leg today for a divine pair of shoes designed by such illustrious names as Christian Laboutine, Jimmy Choo, or Manolo Blahnik, idol of the Sex & the City Clan.

Bergstein writes about which individuals and times influenced baby doll heels, ballet flats, Birkenstocks, etc., and effects of fashion vs function. Judy Garland, Lana Turner, Jennifer Lopaz, Lady Gaga, is among this group. Each one in their own fashion made a particular style or pair of shoes popular or objects of desire. High heels elicited an aura of sexuality, and boots signified a woman’s empowerment.

The average woman has over 50 pairs of shoes. We are modern day Imelda Marcos. Bergstein believes they define who we are or want to be. Many of us just want to be “comfortable in our own shoes.




Thursday, July 5, 2012

21st Century Jewelry

Something Uniquely Different


Our family, all eleven of us, recently visited Las Vegas. Together, we celebrated my husband’s and my 60th wedding anniversary at the Venetian Hotel. My blog book reviews always describes some wonderful jewelry book publication. The Venetian Hotel reminded me of a beautiful precious jewel sparkling in the desert. As I perused “21st Century Jewelry,” a part of the Lark Books 500 series, I could not help but make this comparison.

The creativity that comprised the artistic sensibilities in each and every page is also evident in the lush ambiance of this “all suites” hotel. Seainin Passi’s droplet necklace resembled the azure blue of the pools with their gorgeous ever blooming gardens. As we strolled down the magical shopping promenade, the gondoliers summoned us with their lilting voices. We were enraptured by all the magnificent sights. Many of the amazing jewelry featured in this book had a similar effect on my sensibilities.

The Venetian Hotel is a rare specimen comparable to the Vesuvius Ring by Vicente Agor. Both showcase an abundance of color and beckon one in to experience its entire splendor. The Lark Books “21st Century Jewelry” with its captivating photographs and the Venetian Hotel in Las Vegas will forever be etched in my memories.