WINNER

Gail Devoid of Boscawen is the winner of the Lark Book contest ending May 15th. Congragulation Gail. We're sure you will enjoy the signed copy of "Making Wire Jewelry by Janice Berkebile and Tracy Stanley.

30 Minute Bracelets, 30 Minute Rings & 30 Minute Necklaces

3+1=4

I recently reviewed Lark Books 30 Minute Earrings by Marthe LeVan, so that is where the mathematical equation comes into play.  “Three’s company and four’s a crowd” is certainly not true in this case. The 45 designers create 60 playful and fanciful projects.  Each book is filled with clever and easy-to-do assortments of bodily adornments.

The beginning introductory section in each book prepares one for a wonderful creative adventure. Every conceivable material is utilized to create the imaginative objects. Author posts clever time driven organization in each section.  GET READY emphasizes skills needed.  GET SET focuses on tools and materials, GO guides one down the instructional path.

Each project makes one feel the time is now.  There is something for every spirit and season.  I wanted to get started immediately.  How exciting it would be if I were a creature from outer space.  That way, I would have enough fingers, wrists, necks, and ears to parade across the universe bedecked in all my finery.

Beaded Fantasies

“Beaded Fantasies”


Sabine Lippert

A Night on The Town

Have you ever viewed the wonderful photographs by Bill Cunningham in the New York Times? His bi-line is “On The Street.” This week’s photo montage “Fabulosity” said it all. Women bedecked in fabulous jewelry and gowns.

“Beaded Fantasies” by Sabine Lippert says it all. Inspirational chokers, pendants, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and broaches exemplify her wonderful sense of design and color. The author practically takes the viewer’s hand as she leads one from list of supplies and techniques to her exciting world of bead design projects. The photographs are outstanding and the directions very well defined. It is captivating to note how each design evolved. The gallery pieces illustrate wonderful examples of what has been created by a world of talented beaders.

The page after page of “beaded fantasies” lured me into a state of euphoria. To prepare for “my night on the town,” I’m going to make a bee-line to my favorite bead store and adorn myself in some of these fabulous creations. Maybe Bill Cunningham will take note and you’ll see me in his next photographic spread if and when he comes to town.

  CLICK IMAGE OF BOOK TO BE LINKED TO AMAZON.COM WHERE YOU CAN PURCHASE THIS BOOK AND OTHER ITEMS.

Knitted, Knotted, Twisted, & Twined – The Jewelry of Mary Lee Hu

                            

Rapunzel

Through the years some artists have had an impact on my jewelry making life.  Among those most prominent is Mary Lee Hu.  I discovered her amazing wire work when my husband and I were in Los Angeles.  We walked into a gallery and her jewelry was exhibited there.  The light reflective shimmering undulating surfaces were spellbinding.  I contacted her at the University of Washington and subsequently signed up for her textile technique and wire workshop in Arizona.  As far as my story goes, I was hooked.

Mary’s jewelry and sculptural pieces exhibited in the retrospective show at Bellevue Arts Museum are her history.  The beautifully crafted catalog/book of 100 exceptional chokers, earrings, broaches, and neck pieces chronicles her artistic growth as a student and subsequent master of her craft.

All renderings and notations are very insightful.  They demonstrate an artist working on a concept and then carrying it to fruition.  This is a wonderful way for the viewer to experience the creative process.  One example is the bracelet on the first page of the portfolio section.  Another example is the bracelet #37.  Each piece is flawless.  The fine silver and gold wirework, whether knitted, knotted, twisted, or twined, is an extension of self.

Mary always brought some of the beautiful twine structures, as featured in this book, to her workshop sessions.  Her students were able to personally visualize their movement, design, and intricate wire and fabricated construction first hand.  She also shared many of the chains and belts that she had collected during her many travels throughout the world.  It is obvious that many of these samples constitute a major influence on her growth as a critically acclaimed international artist.

This book/catalog also has a section in the back that explains various techniques for “working with wire.”  Great starting point for those whose interest has been whetted, but don’t know where to begin.

I was also fortunate to be able to study with Heikki Seppa.  Heikki was a friend and colleague of Mary Lee Hu and a devoted admirer.  Several of her small fine silver wire insects were nesting under the glass top of his coffee table.  Since he knew I was fascinated with textile techniques, he would take them out for me to touch.  Instead of firing up the torch, we would spend the afternoon studying and discussing the life-like renditions of these small creatures.

 I am so proud to know Mary Lee Hu and be the recipient of this beautiful catalog/book.  The photographic details are breathtaking.  If one doesn’t own one of her spectacular fine silver or gold pieces, the next best thing would be to purchase this catalog/book and marvel at the unbelievable “Knitted, Knotted, Twisted and Twined” creations featured in full splendor.


     

Winner

Cin Hollins of the High Desert Bead Society of Northern Arizon is the winner of "Metal Clay Fusion" by Lark Books.  Congratulations, Cin.

We are now offering a new random drawing ending May 25, 2012.  To participate, leave your comments and email address under any book image.  Maybe you will be the lucky winner.

30 Minute Earrings

Ready for the Prom!

My granddaughter will soon be going to her high school prom.  I remember when her father was all bedecked in his tux and bow tie, standing with his date and smiling his infectious grin.  I’m sure it was a night to remember.  The girls in the photograph, which he shared with us, wore colorful dresses of all styles and hem lengths.  Their earrings were particularly eye-catching.

I am amazed what emphasis women of all ages continue to place on earrings.  The new book, “30 Minute Earrings” by Marthe Le Van, features  60 quick and creative earring projects for jewelers.  All one has to do is get comfortable in front of their work bench, pick out the material of choice, decide upon a project, and saw and hammer away.

I loved the chance to try my hand at the ideas presented in this fun filled book.  Neither lack of time, nor lack of money, would present any obstacles.  With the aid of this book, “30 Minute Earrings,” my granddaughter will be the recipient of a pair of new dangling earrings framing her beautiful face.  Ellie will be the “belle of the ball.”

500 Wedding Rings

"I DO"

Many years ago, my husband and I made a commitment to each other. I would share with him all of my worldly goods. I was the only one working. He,in turn,would finish school and then share with me all of his income-derived worldly goods. To seal our love, he gave me his mother's diamond wedding ring. I in turn, many years later, gave this diamond to my son to share with his beloved.

After viewing "500 Wedding Rings," I am amazed how the styles have evolved. The ceative genius of this collective group is mindboggling. The author states that "ancient civilizations living along the furtile plans of the Nile River were the first people to form tokens of commitment." Grasses and reeds were twisted and turned into this expression of commitment. Iron, with its amazing strength, was utilized both then and today.

As a child, I remember sitting on my front porch where I had gathered a pile of small clover flowers. I then proceeded to tie them into garlands of necklaces, bracelets, and rings. Problem, they didn't last very long, but they didn't cost very much either.

Today's rings, as featured in this lovely visual book, are unique and inspirational. They range from the rediculous to the sublime. They are woven, fused, fabricated, oxidized, brushed, machined, cast, etched, welded, forged, and repoussed,etc. Materials used are steel, mesh, wood, resin, gold, platium, silver, glass, copper, magnets, brass, plastic tubing, velcro, fabric, mokume,etc. This list of techniques and materials are as never ending as some couple's commitment to one another.

If I could persuade my husband to consider a new wedding ring purchase, I would choose this book as his bible. I wouldn't be demanding. "Just select one of the designers featured here, and I will guarantee our union will last at least another 25 years." We will soon celebrate our 60th wedding anniversary.

Masters: Polymer Clay: Major Works by Leading Artists

From A to Z

"Masters" Polymer Clay is a master in and of itself.  The artists and their creations featured in this book demonstrate a wonderful appreciation and knowledge of this medium.  I have never viewed such a remarkable display of the use of polymer clay.  Many of the pieces undulate with both movement and color.  I marvel at the many different patterned pieces produced.

I own a polymer clay butterfly broach created by Steven Ford.  He has done many collaborative pieces with David Forlano, whose work is featured on pages 88/95 of this exciting book "Masters."  My own classroom experience with Steven Ford was inspiring.  By the end of the sessions, we had a greater appreciation of this material and its potential. But, we had a long way to go before we had "mastered" this art form.

Several of the artists featured in this book have demonstrated their intrinsic ability to combine their metal, textile, and painting experience to create bracelets, necklaces, and pendants.  Mary Filapek and Lou Ann Townsend are representative of these kind of artists.

Chris Malone's figurative sculptures are examples of detailed tribal figures.  Polymer clay is utilized for the faces and  hands.  Their human-like features captures many different expressions.  His creations are adorned with a myriad of materials such as fabric, rafia, metal, beads, etc.

Some of the artists have drawn on examples of nature.  Others have looked forward to what might be.  There are wonderful playful pieces such as those displayed by Rebecca Mazur.  Flashy patterns created with brilliantly colored clay are exhibited on many of the structures featured in this book.

In essence, eveyrthing is here from A to Z.  The alphabet of wonderful polymer clay is presented in "Masters."  In this book one can view all of the complexities of this material with both its two and three dimensional attributes.

Creating Glass Beads

Breathless

Creating Glass Beads: A New Workshop to Expand Your Beginner Skills and Develop Your Artistic Voice (Hardcover) Many years ago, as part of my Art Education degree requirements, I took a class in glass blowing. It literally left me breathless. The molten glass had a mind of its own. Although I claimed to my instructor that the final finished project was as I had envisioned, he didn't buy my spiel.

Perhaps, if I had "Creating Glass Beads," as a reference guide, I would have changed paths and explored lampwork beads instead. My finished beads would have been less labor intensive and would have glowed with vibrant colors instead of looking like a muddy river.

The author, Jeri L. Warhaftig has written a very informative and important book for would-be bead thinkers and doers. There is a very impressive introduction. She points out all the necessities useful in setting up a bead studio work space.

Her approach in writing this book is quite different. Jeri recruited fourteen talented volunteers who were invited to participate in a series of tutorials organized around a particular skill building exercise. Most of the porjects are directed towards the intermediate beader, although I could certainly see an adventuresome beader lighting up the torch, putting on the safety goggles, and exploring the challenges of the vibrant colored molten glass rods.

The photographic resolution is excellent. The gallery pages display both fun and intriging lampwork beads executed by a talented cast of creators. I would highly recommend "Creating Glass Beads" by Jeri L. Warhaftig. This book presents a inspiring visual learning experience. My glass professor's mantra always was "learn one, teach one." The author certainly does just that with her breathtaking array of lampwork bead techniques and "how-to."

Steel Wire Jewelry: Stylish Designs * Simple Techniques * Artful Inspiration

ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOLD. First of all, there is a wonderful foreword in this book. Keith Lo Blue pulled me into this exciting book by Brenda Sue Schweder. I too, along with my husband, are hardware store junkies. Nothing beats an afternoon spent exploring the shelves, spying an unusual tool or roll of wire, and walking out with our purchases and a Cheshire Cat grin. As shown in the photographs in the book, steel wire for jewelry is beginning to have a univeral appeal. One can fabricate it, pierce it, solder it, burnish it, paint it, and combine it with a multitude of other materials. I recall that many years ago, I even knitted with 30 gauge steel wire, shades of Mary Lee Hu and Arlene Fisch. Steel wire has a mind of its own with it myriad twists and turns, but once you begin to coax it along, you can become its master. "Steel Wire Jewelry" has an interesting section on the history of steel and its journey and application in today's world. Think crinoline hoop skirts, barbed wire fences, telephone and telegraph lines, nails, etc. And then along came steel reinforced houses and high-rises, cars, boats, trains, and airplanes. We are surrounded. This book has an excellent section on basic tools required when working with steel. We have ten already built into our hands. Rawhide and plastic mallets can be used to fabricate the metal. Heavy flush cutters have a cutting edge advantage. Pliers and mandrels are pointed out as a necessary requirement. And, as a final touch, one is led down the path of finishing with wax to preserve this once over-looked treasure. The project section of "Steel Wire Jewelry" is very well documented. The photographs are very revealing and the step-by-stop instructions leave nothing to chance. As the book points out, once you learn the basics and the wire's temperament, you can produce jump rings, geometric shapes, etc. Then partner it with gemstones or found objects, and you have made a powerful statement. This book is an adventure in creativity at its very best. Forget the rising cost of gold and silver. Go for "Steel Wire Jewelry."

Create Colorful Aluminum Jewelry

Create Colorful Aluminum Jewelry: Upcycle cans into vibrant necklaces, rings, earrings, pins, & bracelets (Paperback)
Well done how-to-book. Easy to follow instructions using inexpensive materials found in everyone's soda can collection.. Drink it up on a warm night and let your creative juices flow.

The Absolute Beginners Guide: Stitching Beaded Jewelry: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started (Paperback)

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I have struggled with beading books, but this one is self-explanatory. Good projects explained in easy to follow detail. Only negative is that I would have liked to see a visual print-out of the various bead stitches at beginning of the book. Practice makes perfect and I would have practiced, practiced, practiced before starting out on the beading path.

Beautiful Wire Jewelry for Beaders 2 (Paperback)

If this were a stock offering I'd say "buy." Irina Miech did it again. The projects look interesting, the instructions are very clear, and the pictures are very self-explanatory. Ribbon fibula had a nice twist and the ammonite frame with the seed beads could lead to a very creative adventure.

Classic Chain Mail Jewelry: A treasury of weaves (Paperback)

I liked this book. Since I have played around with jump rings for years,both making them and purchasing them, I was interested in the contents of this new book "Classic Chain Mail Jewelry." I liked it, but it did'nt exactly make me rush to pick up my stash of links, hole myself away in some corner and "open,close,and join." I must say though I got very excited about the "checkerboard bracelet." It looked like something Paloma Picasso would create if she really created those meshy gems sold by Tiffany. All in all good instructions, supply list,and very good pictures. Might have been a little more helpful for the less experienced chain mailer if various colored jump rings had been utilized in the step-by-step picture directions.

Making Elegant Jewelry for Special Occasions (Paperback)

Great photographs and very easy to follow directions. Excellent jewelry know-how at your fingertips. Book contains a stylish collection of imspiring project from several gifted artists.

Lacy Wire Jewelry (Paperback)

The author, Melody MacDuffee has certainly done her homework. Easy to follow project examples. Materials, techniques and tools required are all listed in the back of book as well as outlined under each jewelry creation. I would highly recommend "Lacy Wire Jewelry" to anyone desirous of learning these fiber techniques utilizing wire.
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The Big Book of Beading Patterns: For Peyote Stitch, Square Stitch, Brick Stitch, and Loomwork Designs (Paperback)

Good basic instructions at the beginning of the book "The Big Book of Beading Patterns." I felt that once one familiarized themselves with the stitches, a lot of creative process could take place. All patterns were classified into specific catagories. The examples were very large and if one so desired, with a few changes of color, it becomes more personal. I do Kumihimo jewelry and was looking for a book that introduced possibilities for beading additions. Believe this book might be most helpful in that respect.

Bead Tube Jewelry: Peyote and brick stitch designs for 30+ necklaces, bracelets, and earrings (Paperback)

I really did enjoy this book. The pictures and instructions were excellent. My beading experience is somewhat limited as I am a metalsmith. But, I truly felt that I could incorporate several of the concepts into my Kumihimo designs or chain maille creations. The cover to start with was very attractive and certainly pulled me into the book. I particularly liked the "Dehli Delight." Great color sense to inspire one's one creativity. Would certainly recommend book. Easy enough for both beginner and challenging enough for more experienced beader.

Stitch Workshop: Peyote Stitch: Basic Techniques, Advanced Results (Paperback)

Even though I agree that the patterns in this book were inviting, I found the directions rather intimidating for a beginner. For example, on page 15 of the "Electrifying Zigzag Strip bracelet, the instructions state to pick up 12 color B and 2 color C beads. Yet when I look at Figure 1 on page 16, I can only count 11 color C beads. Possibly I am misreading the instructions inasmuch as I am a beginner.

The "Bead around the Bend" necklace on page 35 was quite different. Interesting structure to bead around once one learns the basic peyote stitch. All kinds of experimentation can take place to give this piece your very own signature.

In essence, I guess I need someone to hold my hand as I peruse each design. Maybe once I get a handle on the techniques I will be more inclined to encourage others to purchase this book.

Beading Across America: Jewelry Inspiration from Coast to Coast (Paperback)

I have come across many beading books, some I own and others I borrow from the library. Found this book to have some interesting beading concepts. When I look at some of the diagrams, found that the large illustrations and directions were easier to follow than many. Although many of the designs didn't pull me in, I was absolutely lulled into a state of wonder by the beautiful "California Poppy" necklace created by Huib Peterson. He is one talented beader. A couple of years ago I had seen one of the bracelets and contacted him. He was kind enough to share the design. My teacher always said, "learn one teach one." I guess that is what these beading books are all about. Unfortunately there are good and bad teachers.