The Winner is

CONGRATULATIONS TO MITZI WARREN, THE WINNER..

I Can Herringbone

Sounds Fishy to Me

Many years ago I made my husband a scarf on a six harness table loom. It was a herringbone black and white pattern. Unfortunately, I didn’t dress the loom with enough warps, but I told him I had designed it to be worn as an ascot. He said “this sounds fishy to me,” but he wore it on a few cold winter nights. Looked very dashing!

The book “I Can Herringbone, by Lark Books leads the reader from the basic stitch to the more advanced techniques. Once again, as in all good presentations, we are introduced to the materials and tools. The chapters explore flat herringbone stitch projects, tubular, and variations on this theme. Final chapter explores bezeled stone creations. All very large illustrations show the working thread in black, and there is further clarification of needle path.

Most of the designs utilize the ubiquitous size 15’s 8’s, or 11’s seed beads. Thus because many of us stockpile these sizes, we can be off and stitching. Projects are presented for different levels of difficulty.

Nothing is an insurmountable challenge.

It was really interesting to view these projects in the context of their herringbone technique. If I decide to make the willow lariat it will be easy. I won’t have to guess the finished length. The dimensions are spelled out. Nothing fishy here.

Jewelry Illustration

It’s All in Your Hands

My youngest grandson “sees.”  He can think of or look at an object, put his own spin on it, and render it in his own unique visual language.  I marvel at this inborn ability.

When I attended art school, my lament was, “I am very creative, but I can’t draw well.”  My instructor turned a deaf ear and a blind eye to my protestations.  He soon demonstrated to me that I could.  My renderings replicated my design concepts.  It didn’t happen overnight, but my eyes finally become adjusted to the “light.”  What fun! 

Even though one may not have an innate ability to render a concept on paper, this book does an excellent job of presenting rendering and scaling jewelry designs in the proper perspective.  One begins with two dimensional drawings and then proceeds to the more advanced processes.  Use of both light and shadow are explored along with shading flat and smooth surfaces.  Various texturing techniques are explained also.  If one looks at a gemstone with its many brilliant surfaces and tries to duplicate that on paper, the answers are uncovered.

From these two dimensional drawings to the more complex ones, these tools are all here.  This book puts them all in your hands.  Just a matter of removing one’s blinders and “seeing.”   

The Metalsmith's Book of Boxes & Lockets

Many years ago I attended classes at Craft Alliance, which is a wonderful craft center in St. Louis, Missouri.  The metalsmithing studio was well equipped with a  more than ample library.  The books on the shelf ranged from Tim McCreight’s small wonder “The Complete Metalsmith, to “Form Emphasis for Metalsmiths,” Heikki Seppa, and “Jewelry ConceptsTechnology,” Oppi Untracht.

The students ranged from beginner to the more advanced.  One particular student caught my attention.  She was very reserved, but extremely focused.  Each week I marveled at her mastery of the metal and its adaptability to her design requirements.  Her finished container with its reticulated top was a “piece de resistance.”

I was delighted to discover Debbie LaFara as one of the featured artist in “The Metalsmith’s Book of Boxes & Lockets” by Tim McCreight.  She started with a sheet of metal, cutting out shapes for the body and legs.  Her tiny cylindrical hinges fit like a glove.  Her soldering skills were impeccable.    

As I perused the book, many metalsmithing processes were presented to the reader.  The instructive photographs, along with the author’s excellent detailed step by step process, made a wonderful source of information for both the novice and more advanced metalsmithing practitioners.  The book begins with building a box and continues on to explore hinges, lids, catches, tubing, soldering techniques, and finishing

Even if one has not advanced to Debbie’s level, this book’s contents are a treasure trove of information.  It is very obvious that one does not have to feel “boxed in” when exploring one’s own creativity as displayed by the multitude of  beautiful and innovative boxes and lockets displayed therein.

  

Contest Winners

Hip, Hip, Hooray:  The following contest winners have been announced.

Lark Box of Books

Winner:  Twyla Harbick of Springfield, Oregon

Lark Books Contest Ending October 31, 2012

Winner:  Wendy - Sent her an email.  Last name unknown.

Interweave "Halloween Treat-Not Trick Contest"

Winner:  Ellen Turner

Build Your Own Wire Pendants

No Brick or Mortar Required

I remember as a child, I had envisioned building a skyscraper. My architectural aspirations were not to be realized. However, my creative spirit was fulfilled with my jewelry design concepts; albeit on a much smaller and less grand scale.

As I proceeded, the ideas were first executed on paper. I had a large drafting table ready to go. The materials were chosen and all additions and subtractions were noted before proceeding.

Kalmbach Press has recently published “Build Your Own Wire Pendants” by Kimberly S. Berlin. After initially setting forth the tools, materials, techniques, the author sits down at the drawing board and executes her customized frames with an assortment of beautiful beads and cabochons. Many of the frames have been embellished with twisted and hammered wire. They are all geometrically appealing and suspended on dramatic bails. Ms. Berlin has presented us with precise pendant design blueprints.

One doesn’t have to procure any architectural certification or license. Just get inspiration from the ideas and directions set forth in this book. Although it isn’t “The Architectural Digest,” the structures featured will enhance any “neckline.”