Handmade Jewelry: Simple Steps to Creating Wearable Art

Welcome to wonderful world of jewelry making!




My friends describe me as "quirky" and when they say that, they mean it in the best way possible - strikingly unconventional. So, around 1996, I decided I wanted to start making my own jewelry. I didn't like what I saw in the stores, so I wanted to make my own. I was living in Tucson, Arizona at the time, home of the world's largest gem, jewelry and bead shows and the area was and still is always full of ideas and raw materials.

Carol Grape's Handmade Jewelry: Simple Steps to Creating Wearable Art was the book I picked up. It's the first book I ever bought on jewelrymaking and although a bit dated now, it's quirky, DIY style was and is just right.

The Beader's Color Palette

"Our world offers up an endless deluge of color inspiration."

Margie Deeb has outdone herself with her latest book, The Beader's Color Palette


Publisher Comments:
Capture the colors of the world with 220 distinctive palettes

* Priceless source of color inspiration

* Create 20 step-by-step projects

* Gallery of finished jewelry by the author and other artists

Confused by color? Don’t be. Get The Beader’s Color Palette, a priceless resource for beaders seeking inspiration for their jewelry designs. Author Margie Deeb presents 220 palettes inspired by five diverse themes, along with examples of finished jewelry and 20 step-by-step projects that interpret those themes. From the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth), to artists’ palettes (from ancient Egyptian through modern art), from world cultures (including Latin America, India and Tibet, Africa, the Middle East, and the Far East) to environments (rainforests, the Southwest, the Mediterranean), to the natural world (marine life, birds, insects)--these palettes capture the essence of countless human experiences and dreams. Beginners will love the basics section on off-loom stitches, loom weaving, and stringing; more advanced beaders will be inspired to take on the wide world of beautiful color.
Synopsis:
Deeb presents 220 palettes inspired by five diverse themes, along with examples of finished jewelry, and 20 step-by-step projects that interpret those themes.
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About the Author
Margie Deeb is the author of The Beader’s Guide to Color and many other books. A respected expert on color, she writes articles for Bead&Button and Beadwork magazines, as well as a regular column in Step-by-Step Beads. She lives in Roswell, Georgia. Visit her on the web at www.margiedeeb.com.
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(Photo Credits: Margie Deeb.)

Glass Bead Workshop

"Welcome to my studio and to my series of workshops in intermediate glass beadmaking."

Which is the first line of Jeri Warfhatig's new book entitled, Glass Bead Workshop. I've met Jeri and talked to her a few times at bead shows. She's a friendly supportive colleague and has written a beautiful and informative book on glass beadmaking. Here are a few pictures of the book, Jeri and Jeri's lovely beads.





From the Publisher, Lark Books:

Glass beadmaking has exploded in popularity—and those artists who have successfully mastered the basics want more techniques to enhance their repertoire. Jeri Warhaftig, a respected and experienced teacher, offers intermediates her time-tested, workshop-based approach to expanding their beadmaking skills. In each superbly illustrated and illuminating chapter, she focuses on using current tools, new materials, and innovative methodology to produce a singular bead—with several variations for every one. The possibilities, from sandblasting to metal inclusions, are stupendous: Craft sculptural flower beads; create a lightweight, hollow seashell-shaped bead; and go for the “wow” factor with geode beads that enclose decorative elements within a layer of glass. Helpful tips are sprinkled throughout, and a gallery of additional work will inspire.

BeadLit Twitters - What is a Link?

"What is a link? A link is a connection, whether it is a thought, a collection of letters that make a word, an Internet address or an expression of an attachment between people. A link is pretty worthless without something going before it and something following it. To make sense, it must be connected in some manner."


So exactly what is a Link? It's a book! That wonderful jewelry designer, Jean Yates, has written a beautiful book full of wonderful stories and projects, It's called "Links." Here's a picture of our intrepid jewelry designer Jean with her best beau-husband, Jim. Sweet aren't they?


Here's a little blurb from the publisher, North Light Books

Links encourages crafters to create jewelry inspired by their own lives and surroundings. You will find 35 fabulous step-by-step intermediate-level jewelry projects, including bracelets, necklaces, earrings, pins and rings. Includes the story that inspired each piece, and show you how to create your own unique jewelry based on personal experiences. Creative prompts and sidebar interviews with working crafters are sprinkled throughout for added inspiration.

About the Author

Jean Yates's designs have been featured in many jewelry magazines, including BeadStyle, Stringing, Simply Beads, Beadwork and Bead and Button, as well as Belle Armoire. She is currently designing pieces to contribute to two books. View her work online at www.prettykittydogmoon.com.