33 Lark Book Bonanza Contest Winner

Cheryl Klosowski was recently annonced as the winner of this contest. Congratulations.

Handmade to Sell

Random House

Kelly Rand

Many of us are faced with a myriad of decisions when creating our handmade crafts. When I finally came to the conclusion that there was enough interest in my jewelry, I hit the highroad. Proceeded to choose my most interesting jewelry and shortly thereafter everything seemed to fall in line – somewhat.

“Handmade to Sell” is a necessary primer for all crafters. It is a thorough guide to “running, growing, and owning” your own craft business.

I thought I knew most of the answers, but there were times that I barely squeaked out a profit. Silver and gold prices have fluctuated greatly during the past couple of years, along with other unforeseen escalating costs. One can’t second guess the cost of materials, but this book is extremely helpful in learning the “nuts and bolts” of the crafting business.

How to price one’s work, taxes, copyright, and trademark information is well documented. The author takes it a step further by prodding the reader to create something awesome which is critical for success. She also points out that excellent photography is a “must” sales tool.

Online shops, craft shows and fairs are wonderful venues for exhibiting one’s work. All aspects of marketing are discussed in great detail. The index is a great compilation of trade shows to check out.

I would highly recommend this book to both seasoned and beginning crafters. Easy reading and excellent advice on all levels. Now is the time to get out your reading glasses, put your feet up and enjoy this extremely excellent guide to “Handmade to Sell.”

Anodized

Clare Stiles

Lark Jewelry


Peggy Eng, a member of the Society for Midwest Metalsmiths introduced our guild to anodized aluminum. She demonstrated the “electro chemical process that created the honey comb-like pore on the surface.” Thus, the aluminum form was prepared for the application of color.

In this book, the science of anodizing is clearly defined. The equipment utilized can range from very elaborate to minimal. Materials, tools, and equipment are listed along with the working characteristics of anodized aluminum design basics. These include dyeing, printing, and tips and troubleshooting.

Then on to the glorious projects. As the cover of the book illustrated, there are many countless possibilities for a simple cuff bracelet. Earring, necklaces, cuff links, broaches, and other design concepts are only limited by one’s own creativity. Soldering is a no-no because of the nature of the material. Therefore, cold connections are introduced as a joining mechanism or a design element. There is also excellent pictorial information about rivet construction.

Thank you, Peggy Eng, for the wonderful introduction many years ago to anodizing aluminum. And additional kudos to Clare Stiles for furthering our appreciation of this exciting metal and process.

Dimensional Bead Embroidery

Jamie Cloud Eakin

Lark Jewelry & Beading

One of my favorite pastimes during my childhood was embroidery work. A trip to the local Ben Franklin store filled me with sweet anticipation. The array of colored floss would pull me in like a magnet. Hoops and needles were neatly arranged on the shelves, along with stamped pillow cases, dollies, bibs, hand towels and other sundry items. Once the selections were made, I knew my weekend days would be filled with the joy of making French knots, satin, running, stem, feather, tent stitches, etc.

The book “Dimensional Bead Embroidery” takes one on a new adventure in embroidery land. But this time, the allure is the beads. I had attempted bead embroidery before without too much success, but this book is a wonderful aid. Its primary focus is bead embroidery techniques for all levels of experience. The photographic images and drawings are well defined and very instructive in illustrating the various concepts.

In each chapter, the reader is taken by the hand and led down the yellow brick road. From basic techniques to specific stitches and then on to components, no brick is left unturned. If your design calls for a cabochon focal point, the instructions point the way. Some projects can be completed in an evening, others take more time.

What is the hurry though? In the long run, the land of “Dimensional Bead Embroidery” is a wonderful awakening experience.

The Craft of Silversmithing

Alex Austin

Lark Jewelry


Have you ever watched a silversmith take a flat sheet of metal and transform it into a three dimensional object? It is not a magical apparition. Simple hammering, filing and folding produce a lovely baby spoon keepsake. Straight silver rods can be forged to design well balanced cutlery place settings. Sinking and raising will change the nature of the metal.

All of the projects in this book are beautifully photographed. They provide prime examples of what occurs when metal is “moved.”

Many years ago Heikki Seppa took me on a wild ride to the “Craft of Silversmithing.” When I was working in his studio I reminisced about my childhood trip to Williamsburg. I watched in amazement as the metal was manipulated into a beautiful goblet. But, in my adult life, observing and working in the master’s studio stoked my fire. Heikki’s fingers were an extension of the metal as he first cut out the sheet and put it on the rolling mill to reduce it down. He then began the process of turning the gold into a labor of love. The finished goblet reflected shimmering rays of light from its beautifully formed contours.

This book contains many intriguing projects. Some are more complex than others. I was particularly intrigued by the spatula and pies sever. What lovely utensils to utilize when entertaining company. My husband and I have been married over sixty years. We still cherish the beautiful hand crafted cup out of which we first sipped the sweet wine.

This book “The Craft of Silversmithing” goes above and beyond many “how-to” tomes. Its presentation is beautiful and the finished projects will become “keepsakes” for all to savor from generation to generation.

A Bounty of Bead and Wire Earrings

Nathalie Mornu

Lark Jewelry & Beading


Holiday shopping this year was a wonderful experience. For the first time, in what seemed to be a long time, the stores were filled with shoppers. They were actually carrying bags and not just window shopping.

Many of the jewelry counters were filled with a sparkling array of items. Many customers were displaying an avid interest in earrings. In the past when shopping for these ear lobe enhancers, I would usually focus on a single pair. Not so for the today younger and older set. Multiple chandelier, studs, pearls, cz’s and other stunners protrude and hang in profusion from pierced ears and rims, noses, lips, eyebrows, belly buttons, and god knows where else.

This book “A Bounty of Bead & Wire Earrings,” gives the reader an array of choices of styles and materials from which to choose. The basics, before starting out, are all presented at the beginning. And then project after project is presented with detailed instructions and glorious pictures. No guess work here.

Chains, wire wrapping, seed beads, faceted beads, round beads, pearls, briolette, fire polished beads, etc., are utilized in fanciful designs. Delicate charms and crystals are arranged on dainty chains. Each project is geared to the young at heart.

Wherever your piercing, “A Bounty of Bead & Wire Earrings” will certainly fill your “holely” spirit.

The Art and Craft of Making Jewelry

Joanna Gollberg

Lark Jewelry

Did you ever get the feeling that there was something pulling at you?
Many years ago when visiting a small gallery in LA, I experienced this visceral feeling. The exciting handcrafted jewelry displayed in the cases held me spell bound. I had made up my mind. Inasmuch as I was now a retired educator, I was ready to learned new skills. Taking workshops and college courses in the art and craft of making jewelry led me down a new path of self discovery. The flow and eventual control of the solder was mesmerizing. Sawing and texturing the various nonferrous metals presented many challenges. Designs were conceived and often reworked.

Joanna Gollberg’s book “The Art & Craft of Making Jewelry” gives each of us the vicarious pleasure of “making.” In the beginning we are introduced to a profusion of tools and equipment. Both the flex shaft machine and its attachments are discussed along with soldering tools and other materials. She furnishes the reader lists of the necessary tools that are a prerequisite for successful jewelry making. Pattern transfers, sawing, piercing, chasing, cold connections, tube riveting, hot techniques, finishing, forming, texturing, cuttlebone casting, reticulation, etc., are all presented in full color. We are then able to follow the beautiful illustrated step-by-step instruction to complete the specific projects.

This book is outstanding and the gallery pictures are awesome. As I stated, I have taken many workshops and classes through the years. Many of the processes I have learned are elucidated in this extremely informative book.

The winner of the "Lark 15 Series 500" book contest is Colleen White.  The winner of "Mastering Peyote Stitch" is Debbie Otto.  Congratulations to both of the lucky winners.

Bench Tips for Jewelry Making

101 Useful Tips from Brad Smith

Throughout the years, our metalsmithing guild, The Society for Midwest Metalsmiths, has published a newsletter.  Our membership has gleaned a great deal of valuable information that Brad Smith has shared.  How lucky we all are that these words of wisdom are now in a book form.

This small treasure covers a multitude of solutions to a myriad of issues facing the jewelry artisan.  A couple of years ago, during root canal surgery, a small piece of the drill broke in my husband’s tooth.  I don’t know if a solution of alum would have worked in this case, but I do know that it works, as Brad recommends, in removing a drill bit from a gemstone.

One doesn’t need a doctor’s prescription to cure these jewelry making maladies. Cutting a bolt, drilling a gemstone, sanding tight spots, modifying pliers, testing for silver, identifying solder, easier prong setting., etc., are all there at one’s finger tips.  The how-to topics go on and on.  The easy to understand text and very good photographic black and white images makes this book quite self-explanatory.

I would give Brad Smith a DM “Doctor of Metalsmithing” degree and top honors for his wonderful dissertation of “Bench Tips for Jewelry Making.”    

Mastering Peyote Stitch

Melinda Barta

Projects by the talented artists Jean Campbell, Lisa Kan,  Carole Ohl, Melanie Potter, Jean Power, Cynthia Rutledge, and Sherry Serafini are featured in this book published by Interweave.   It is amazing how busy individuals find time to contribute so much.  Their natural skills and consummate love of this medium is mind boggling.

As I reviewed the basics, nothing was overlooked.  We were led down the seed-bead laden path to numerous discoveries. No compass necessary to find your way. Technique after technique had been explored and presented in an easy to follow format.  The projects are photographed well and the arrow language is not spoken in a foreign tongue.

Flat, circular and tubular patterns are all there to savor and then can be reproduced by examining all the projects.  The colors and sizes of the seed beads are readily available.  No treasure hunt or map necessary to follow intriguing patterns.  If one doesn’t have a clue where to shop for the beads and findings, the resource section tells it all.

I was particularly drawn to the geometric shapes on page 81.  Although math wasn’t my strong suit, anyone can get an A for this project without being the “teacher’s pet.”  Invaluable skills introduced for making eye catching toggle clasps. 

The world of peyote stitch is now yours to explore in this exciting book.  Have a wonderful adventure.

“A Bounty of Bead and Wire Bracelets”

“A Bounty of Bead and Wire Necklaces”

Hi Ho Silver

When recently reviewing these two books, it felt like I was back in the “Old West.”  I wasn’t out capturing outlaws to collect a bounty.  But, Lark Books had awarded the readers an abundance of fun, fast jewelry projects.  One was the Nexas bracelet which captured carnelian beads in intertwined jump rings.  Another was the Fiesta necklace utilizing a bountiful color combination of beads.

One doesn’t need any esoteric supplies, just a desire to create.  The instructions for the stylish cuffs, bangles, charm bracelets, pendants, etc., all are very well laid out.  Whether your trigger finger is bent out of shape, or your but is sore from spending all that time in the saddle seat, these books will pique your interest.  Soon you will be at your workbench and on your way to exciting new conquests.

  

The winner of the random book giveaway contest ending Nov. 30, 2012 is Sandra Smith of Santa Ana, CA.  Happy beading, Sandra.

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.”

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.