I Can Right Angle Weave

The Little Engine That Could

As I was reviewing this new beading book published by Lark Books author Madeline Gidez, I kept thinking about the children’s book, “The Little Engine That Could.”  The moral of this wonderful little story is “don’t give up.” 

Some of these beaded woven structures have been very daunting to me.  But, almost similar in age to the biblical, Job, I don’t give up.  The excellent instructions in this book are complimented by a multitude of well defined diagrams and twenty five projects which range from simple to challenging.  Each one is presented in large enough print for these ancient eyes.  We are taken along thru this book, sometimes huffing and puffing as the designer increases and decreases the structures to create bracelets, earrings, and necklaces of many styles and colors. Her arrow language is easy to follow along each and every curve, twist, and bend.

The gallery pages are filled with wonderful examples of imaginative creativity.  These artists, like the little engine, proved that they “could.”

Chain Maille Jewelry Workshop

Fire Breathing Dragon Scale Weave

 

A couple of years ago, my chain maille necklace was juried into the show “Maturity and its Myth.” The show was built around artist over the age of 70 whose creative juices were still flowing. Although, for many of us, our skin was now extremely dry and wrinkled.

I had wanted to create a piece incorporating the dragonscale weave chain maille pattern, but unfortunately after many hours of coiling, cutting, opening, and closing, I couldn’t get the aspect ratio to work. I settled on the European four in one as pictured below with the wire-wrapped Swarovski pendant as a focal point.

This book would have saved me many hours of labor and frustration. The information presented covers jump ring gauges, inner diameter, and aspect ratio. The purist can make jump rings or take the easier route and purchase same. The color coded illustrations and directions are easy to follow which solves the puzzle of “what goes next”?

Everything from Byzantine, Spiral, European, Parallel, Round, Persian, and my elusive Dragonscale Weaves are presented. The author, Karen Karon even shares a Half Persian starter tool which is wonderful for giving stability to this weave.

Thank you Interweave for leading this chain maille aficionado down the safe path. That fire-breathing dragon scale creature has been conquered and extinguished.

Congratulations to Theresa Kelly, winner of Lark Books "Metalworking 101 for Beaders."

Rustic Wrappings

Kerry Bogert

The autumn season is now upon us.  As I drove down our road, the sweet gum trees on both sides served as an arch.  The leaves are already changing from vivid green with a profusion of sweet gum balls to shades of orange, yellow, and red.  Nature has its own set of natural patinas.

This publication “Rustic Wrappings” has presented the reader with a lovely pallet of colors and the means of obtaining same.  I recall that in one of my metalsmithing classes we explored patination.  Harsh expensive chemicals were on hand.  One had to almost run a factory in order to obtain the expensive toxic chemicals that arrived in their gallon containers.

In this book, published by Interweave, there is the perfunctory list of tools, wire manipulation, techniques, findings, etc.  The exciting part of this publication is the presentation of patina recipes and sealing solutions.  We are taken on the road of discovery of liver of sulfur, oxidized patinas for brass, heat patina, and ammonia and salt water patinas, vinegar patina, potato chip patina, alcohol ink patina, in addition to rusting and sealants.

Once the author sets our gears in motion, the various projects are listed in a trip-tik like manner. Patina earrings, bracelets, necklaces, bangles, are stopping off pages.  Metals, whether twisted, flattened, hardened, embroidered, coiled, pierced, plated, etc., are incorporated into journey.

I felt like an explorer on a trip of discovery as I reviewed this extremely well mapped out book.

Metalworking 101 for Beaders

Something for Everyone!

  

Designing and creating custom findings, pendants, and other projects has never been too much of a challenge for me.  Since I am not self taught, I confess to having spent a great deal of time and money studying with the finest.  In essence, thought there wasn’t anything new to teach this old dog.

When I reviewed “Metalworking 101 for Beaders,” I was put down a notch or two. Yes, sheet, wire, and tubing are very familiar to me.  I have a workbench overflowing with tools and materials, but this book taught me a thing or two. 

Scrimping was an unfamiliar term.  Scrimps are more attractive than crimps and easier to affix with their tiny tools and screwdriver.  No accidental disheartening cracking and malformation of those elusive crimps.

The basic metalworking photos in the book were well defined and all explanations on how to proceed were clearly set forth.  In addition, author gives many wonderful clues to assist in sanding, forming, and soldering.

Twenty-nine projects were presented in an easy to understand format.  Candie shared many of her design concepts by providing multiple sketches.  I was intrigued with the details of the fanciful feathered friend broach which would complement any outfit.  It was an delightful  exercise utilizing many elements of jewelry construction. Author also shares many of her pattern templates.

As I stated in the beginning, there is something in this book for beaders and anyone interested in further whetting their creative juices.

Setting Stones in Metal Clay

Jeanette Landenwitch

 Just a Stones Throw Away

First of all, this is a spiral bound book.  This makes it so much easier to read the pages.  I don’t have to hunt in my cabinet for a stack of cans to hold the pages open.

The contents section of this publication by Brynmorgen Press is very thorough.  It covers gemstones, tools and materials, settings, bezels, prongs, and other setting options.

 I have perused many PMC Yahoo Groups and frequently the question comes up about setting stones and the appropriate stones to use with this material.  I learned that natural stones can be fired in the kiln, but others such as pearl, ivory, shell, coral, amber, and jet are verboten.  Most, but not all synthetic stones can be fired in a kiln.  Simulated gemstones comprise another category, such as the cubic zirconia that is ideal for kiln firing.

There is a table on pages 14 and 15 illustrating gem tests that were done by Kevin Whitmore and the staff of Rio Grande.  Here one can find many answers to both torch and kiln firing.

The line drawings of the techniques and the setting illustrations are well executed.  There is no guesswork here.  As an example, the bezel strip on page 44 is a definitive “how to.”  One is presented with a heat tolerant gemstone pressed into a lump of clay, variations of the method, and final finishing steps.

The goal of “Setting Stones in Metal Clay” was to expand the PMC’s artist’s stone setting options.  They are all here and are less than a stone’s throw away!

Winner of Lark Books Contest

Congratulations Jvaala!  You are the winner of contest ending Sept. 30, 2012.