Tag: Book Review

Bewitching Bead & Wire Jewelry: Easy Techniques for 40 Irresistible Projects by Suzanne J.E. Tourtillott

I thought I was off the jewelry book reviewers list, but I received two books last week. Lark was so great about supporting the Boxing Day Sew-in that I just can’t say no to reviewing this book. Like the other books in this series, they have a section on tools and supplies as well as a section on techniques. Both are well illustrated. I particularly like the font and layout chosen in this book. There are a couple of things that are really great in these sections. One is the ‘designer’s tip’, which points out, for example, what wire to chose. I also like the Wire Hardness Scale image (pg.10). It is a good illustration that probably would have taken about a 1,000 words and some hard science like physics to explain. 😉

Some of the illustrations are photographs and others are drawings. The mix is a nice change from other books I have seen. These sections are pretty short and then the author gets right into the projects.

I am not a big fan of wire jewelry for myself because of metal allergies, but I have to admit being tempted by some of the lovely shapes. the very first project, the Red Bone Necklace (pg.18), has a great clasp and I like the beads. The Silver & Moonstone Drops (earrings, pg.20) are beautiful and delicate. They would be great with a creamy summer dress. The Asymmetrical Amethyst Necklace (pg.74) reminds me of my aunt. I think she would like it very much. I also like the Star Swirl Earrings (pg.80). They are cheerful and happy. Who can’t like purple wire?

There are a wide variety of designs, shapes and different jewelry in the book. Some have a lot of wirework. Other projects have wire only to hold the piece together. The author also uses different colors of beads and wire, which adds to the variety of projects.

There is an index (YAY!), a list of designers and more about them as well as a wire gauge chart.

Check it out!

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PUSH Print: 30+ Artists Explore the Boundaries of Printmaking by Jamie Berger

My favorite image in this book is called Venice 2 by Tom Leighton of the UK. It shows St. Mark’s Square with a carousel in the middle of the plaza and famous buildings such as Notre Dame ringing the plaza. I love the juxtaposition and “wrongness” of the image even though it looks wonderful and perfect and as though it cannot possibly be wrong. Everything fits and it seems normal. There are tons of other images, as well as pieces of images, that I really REALLY like. Losing T.E.M.P.E.R.(detail, pg.34) satisfies that urge for gears that seems to manifest itself periodically in me. Dreamboat(pg.166) has really great waves. The curves are so symmetrical and perfect. I also like America the Beautiful(pg.169), a woodblock print that shows the topography of the United States in a cartoon kind of style. It makes the cities seem unimportant, which is a relief since they seem to dominate everything.

The last book I reviewed in this series was PUSH Jewelry. I still love this series, especially the edginess of the art that is included and the joy that is no patterns!

You’d think that all of the pieces in this book would be digitally manipulated, but there are pieces described as “woodblock, linoleum cut, hand-typeset lead and wood typography,” so something for everyone!

The types of images range from drawings to photographic imagery. Images are sparse and very complicated. There are dense drawings as well as lithographs, monoprints and silkscreens. The 30 (again!) artists in this book really push the boundaries of printmaking.

Yes, there are some images that I don’t like at all. They just aren’t my style, but I can see the line weight and the shading in them and appreciate those aspects.

There are brief bios at the back of the book either of the artists or their studio. The bios provide links to websites and information on whether the artist teaches, sells works or can be hired for other services. Artists come from all over the world and it makes me think of the differences in styles between countries and whether a similar book of artists from all one country would have the variety?

This book is full of more inspiration for you.

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PUSH Jewelry: 30 Artists Explore the Boundaries of Jewelry by Marthe Le Van

This is a new book I got from Lark Crafts to review Tuesday and I have to say that I love this series. The last one I reviewed was PUSH Stitchery. I like the size, shape and feel of the books. I also like the edgy nature of the pieces they include. I probably wouldn’t make any of these pieces (not that there are patterns, because there aren’t), but I can definitely get inspired from looking at them. They are really different from things that I normally look at and looking at new stuff always fires my brain.

I have to admit that the linear part of my brain was in charge when I started looking at this book. I thought that many of the pieces were quite ridiculous, but then I started look at them in terms of creativity, shape, form and some of the other design elements and principles we have been exploring in the Design Series. I kicked the linear part of my brain to the curb and started thinking about them in terms of originality and WOW factor.

The books in the PUSH series highlight several artists and give a few pages to each artist, so the reader can see more than one work by each contributor. This part of the series includes 30 artists. Each section includes a picture of the artist and a selection of their work as well as an artist statement in Q&A format.

This book has really interesting forms. Many of the pieces are quite sculptural.

Some of the pieces I really like:

• Li-Chu Wu, of the UK, has a piece that looks like a sea urchin.
• Allyson Bone, of the US, shows some necklaces that look like cat eye glasses or masks.
• Joe Wood’s pieces, also of the US, are quite sculptural and would be appropriate 50 times larger and installed at the SFMOMA.
• Dr. Tina De Ruysser, UK, has some very interesting folded paper necklaces.
• Mirjam Hiller, Germany. She has feathery, layered pieces. Some of my recent CPP responses have had feathers and I see myself gravitating to those shapes and layers.

These pieces really push all sorts of the boundaries and even the display photographs are provocative. Many of the pieces are large. There are a number of the pieces that do not fit my definition of delicate or pretty. The artists use interesting and unusual materials as well: acrylic, dollars and Euros, fur, rubber, and porcelain, to name a few. The processes used to create the works are equally as interesting: folding stainless steel, adding powder coats, a process like origami, if it isn’t origami along with normal jewelry techniques such as stone setting and metalsmithing.

I think that you would get a lot of inspiration from this book and wouldn’t be sorry if you took a look.

Arthur Hash curated the book.

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Shrink! Shrank! Shrunk!: Make Stylish Shrink Plastic Jewelry by Kathy Sheldon

I have to admit that I was kind of shocked when I opened the package that held this book. My immediate thought was Shrinky Dinks? Jewelry? Really?

I had some Shrinky Dinks as a kid, but not many. I think they must have been too expensive and, perhaps, messy. We made some shrink plastic Christmas ornaments a few years ago, but I don’t remember the circumstances. Apparently, Shrink plastic is back and you can wear what you make to work!

There are about 30 jewelry projects in this book and they are quite interesting. They range from earrings and necklaces to cameos! Remember those? The book starts off with a history of Shrink plastic filled introduction. My favorite part of the beginning of the book was the very funny “Shrink Plastic Basics” (pg.10). She gives the scientific name, which sounds scary, but has some potential for entertaining wordplay in it. She also reassures us about the safety aspects of the plastic.

Lark books all have comprehensive materials lists and this is no exception. This is a fun list, because you can use a lot of different art supplies to decorate your projects including and inkjet printer, colored pencils and rubber stamps! The same tools you used in your other jewelry making projects can be used here. There is also a lot of talk of sanding the plastic, which scares me a little bit.

The Basics section also covers decorating your project, using scrapbook punches and coloring the designs. Ms. Sheldon covers my anxiety of the pieces curling as well.

The projects start on page 27, so you know that the “how-to” section is quite substantial. The projects come from different artists and crafters as well as Ms. Sheldon. While most of the projects were not my style, I didn’t see any that I hated. I liked the colors and styling of the Mexican Oilcloth Necklace (pg.48-49) by Jalene Hernandez. The simple look of the Simple Circle Neclace (pg.52-53) was very appealing. I really liked the idea of the Not-Your-Grandmother’s Cameo (pg.57-59) project as well. There were a few 3D projects, which shows the flexibility of the materials.

There are templates and patterns in the back as well as short biographies of the project artists and (YAY!) and index.

This whole book – colors, page layouts, style- has a fun feel to it and that made it pleasant to read.

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Necklaceology: How to Make Chokers, Lariats, Ropes & More by Candie Cooper

I like the name. It is interesting.

I like the cover. I can see the texture even though I can’t feel it.

I like the colors of the pages and variety of illustrations. The styling of the book is wonderful.

I like the interesting tools the author uses such as crochet hooks and clothespins.

The book is well illustrated with lots of little photographs sprinkled throughout. Even the table of contents is illustrated. Using this table of contents means that the reader gets an idea of what they will be looking at when they turn to the project page. I think this is one of the most entertaining tables of contents I have ever seen.

Like many of Lark’s books, the first section talks about materials and tools, types of beads, clasps, headpins and jump rings, as well as different types of chains. Non-metals are covered as well in the stringing materials section under ribbon & silk cording and yarn, hemp & nylon. It is nice to have options.

I really like the definitions of the lengths of chains. This is perfect to include in a book of necklaces and something that I have never seen. I have heard of opera-length, but never knew the exact length. I am now glad to know that an opera-length necklace is 28-34″ long. These are really good definitions. We all wear necklaces at some point and may have heard some of these terms, but the book spells them out for us.

Metal finishes, tools, adhesives and a brief section on abrasives and polishing compounds are also covered. Many of the techniques uses in the projects are covered in the ‘Techniques’ section. Lots of clear illustrations guide the reader through the words.

There are 40 projects in this book, which makes me think we quiltmakers are getting ripped off! 😉 I really like Roccoco Ribbon (pg.30-31), mostly because of the ribbon used, but also because of the color. Chronos (pg.32-34) also looks like a necklace I would wear. The beads in the Marie Antoinette (pg.) project really make that piece. I am not sure if those particular style of beads are prevalent, but the necklace would have to be re-imagined a bit if the beads are hard to find. I love the hot pink of those beads, though. The styles are so diverse among these projects that I think most people could find something they would enjoy making.

Many of the projects show variations, which is a great way to use the patterns/directions as jumping off points for your own creations.

Thanks to Lark Crafts for sending this book along. I appreciate your faith in my writing skills!

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Making Fabric Jewelry: 20+ Projects to Stitch, Fold, & Wear by Marthe Le Van

Thanks to Lark for sending me this book to review! Since the holidays are coming, and birthdays seem to pile up on me constantly, I thought this would be a good book to review.

As with many of Lark’s books, this is primarily a project book. There are about 23 projects included, which run the gamut from bracelets and earrings to wristlets, brooches and chokers. The book includes the basics, project templates, bios of the designers and (YAY!!!) an index.

In the book’s introduction, the author contends that there is a revolution in jewelry going on in the world and that “personal adornment is getting a makeover…” (pg.6). Part of this revolution has to do with recycling and reuse that is so popular now, but the cost of extracting and transporting precious metals and gems cannot be ignored either (pg.6). The introduction reminds the reader that there are techniques in the book that help veer away from the patterns and the muse speaks. I always like it when books are tools in a journey rather than just a pattern book to be accomplished.

A variety of techniques and skill levels are represented from no-sew to machine stitching, stuffing and quilting. Something for everyone!

The ‘Basics’ section gives some details on the qualities and characteristics of different kinds of fabrics including canvas, corduroy, silk, tulle and organza. There is some helpful information that might inspire quiltmakers to put some of these fabrics into quilts when they are done with their jewelry.
I liked the few paragraphs on needles. They were helpful and I learned a thing or two. Hand and machine stitching are covered. The basic hand stitches have illustrations showing the reader how to create them. As with many “basics” sections, not everything can be covered. Whole books on almost every topic in this section have been written. Still, this ‘Basics’ section has a good overview and will definitely get a person started.

You will need some metal for these projects. Clasps, earring findings, jump rings, etc are all covered: what they are, where to find them and whether you can make your own each have a place. After a few pages about tools, some fundamentals on metal, a list of supplies and two pages on beads, the projects start.

The book is well illustrated with color photos on nearly every page. the photos illustrate the text or give examples of jewelry by the artist-designers. The font is easy to read and the writing is clear.

Each project has instructions with illustrations. At the end of each project are a few photos of similar or related projects by which the reader can be inspired.

Tulle is used in an interesting way in the Floating Tulle Earrings project (pg.46-49). I like the pods in the Chrysalis Neckpiece (pg.54-57), but I imagine a mobile in brighter colors made from the pods. The flower int he Lotus Choker & Earrings project (pg.66-71) could easily be reimagined as a brooch, a hat pin, embellishments on a quilt or bag. change the color of the petals and the center and you have a completely new flower. Sun-Kissed Lemons (pg.112-117) is a lovely machine embroidered and satin stitched piece.

The materials are interesting, too. One project (Jennifer Halvorson’s Laced Up, 2005, pg.87, an example) uses shoelaces. Tweeds and plaid wool, recycled from men’s clothing is also used (pg.88-91)

I think there is an underlying sense of inspiration in this book that encourages, by implication, readers to move on quickly from the projects and only using them as a jumping off point.

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Showcase 500 Rings: New Directions in Art Jewelry by Marthe Le Van

This is another book I received from Lark Crafts. Thanks, Lark! This particular book is another gem from the Lark 500 series. I love this series, because it is pure eye candy – no patterns, no basics, just fabulous photos of amazing pieces.

As I have mentioned many times, I am not a jeweler, however, I always love the opportunity to review shapes and motifs in a different format. I think it can inform my quiltmaking.

As the title advertises there are photos of 500 rings. I should say ‘rings’ because some of these pieces are more sculpture than the conventional idea of a wearable ring. I believe that artists in this medium are not making wearable art; they are making sculpture just as quilt artists are not making bed quilts. As I paged through the book, I was immediately struck by different shapes and motifs on the pieces: circles, drops, leaves, shells, confections and many others.

I also noticed the variety of materials. I see felted wool (??), knitted fibers, broderie perse type fabric pieces, paper, photographs, glass, silk, a clothespin, along with the normal metals and stones.

The contents page sports a photo of a ring that looks like a series of cross sections of colored pencils (also on pg.268), which drew me in right away. It is called 11 Ring 4 and is by Maria Cristina Bellucci. There is a piece that is morphing from ring into a glove (pg.80), which I think is an interesting evolution of this medium.

One of my favorites is Links Ring by Uranit Bar-Nes (pg.220). Of course the color (a sea blue) is one of my favorites, but I also like the color’s combination with silver and blue zircons. I also like Garden Pond Ring by Aurelio Castano (pg.216), which is a purely beaded piece with a huge stone in the middle. Another duo was Tangle Rings by Bridget Catchpole (pg.212). They are my aqua (tending towards turquoise), light green and white pieces where the shapes look like something that would be on top of a cake. The circles squished next to each other in Vina Rust’s Ring #1: Stained Cell Series (pg.171) is also a very appealing design.

If you need some inspiration, regardless of your primary medium, this book will provide you with some shapes, motifs and textures that will reinvigorate your artwork.

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Heat, Color, Set & Fire: Surface Effects for Metal Jewelry by Mary Hettmansperger

This is another free book for review from Lark Crafts. Thanks, Lark! It is a large 8.5″ x 11″ book with gorgeous violet-lavender endpapers. In flipping through the tome, I noticed that earth tones dominate. Every once in a while there is a spark of color, which is used effectivelyl to catch the reader’s interest. I also noticed a lot of spiral motifs in the book.

After the introduction, which mostly sells the book and doesn’t introduce the author much, the book launches right into a section on materials (pg.8-27). This section is well illustrated and I particularly liked the subheading fonts. The section is also LONG and includes photos of items such as Liver of Sulfur, gloves and earplugs, disk cutter & punches, tripod for firing and a bench grinder. Interspersed with these scary looking tools are photos of jewelry, presumably to soften the blow for a new jeweler.  😉 The Basic Techniques section is also quite long (pg.29-51). Each part of the Basic Techniques section gives step by step instructions for creating a new texture or applying a technique and then shows an example of the end result. I am pleased the author and publisher thought it was worthwhile to document and illustrate these foundation sections so thoroughly.

There are 21 projects included, each spanning about 4 pages. Lots of illustrations and drawings are included with each project. Templates are frequently included as well and variations are shown in photos to spark creativity. I like the Colored Tin Collection project, the Mixed Metal Bracelet project, especially the variations, and the Orange Enamel Choker, though I might want to put the pendant on a different chain.

This seems to be a great book for adding texture to your metal projects.

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