I know next week is Thanksgiving, but as any crafter knows it's never too soon to start making your holiday gifts (oh and maybe a little bling for yourself too!)
And since I am all about the twofer, if you don't know about Amazon's Matchbook program, you can buy a paper book and get an e-version for just $2.99! Keep the eBook and gift the paper one! To find out all the ways you can give and get ebooks(subject to availability), pop on over to the QBookShop eBook Info Page.
And this wouldn't be a true twofer without a couple of craft projects. This first one features Prima Beads Tis the Season large hole snowflake and reindeer beads. I simply slid one of the large hole beads onto some stretch velvet (I cut the end at an angle to make it a bit easier) and tied a knot. I did one bead on each velvet band and I like wearing 3 at a time as you can see. These would be great for a group craft night or an easy item for a craft fair fund raiser.
Not only am I all about the "gift one, keep one" philosophy of book buying it also rings true for jewelry making, I am all about sharing two ideas:
This next one is a bit more extensive.
I used a variety of Prima Beads Tis the Season Christmas charms. For the base I re-purposed an old metal belt and refashioned the links into a wide cuff.
If you happen to be a jewelry maker and know one who might like a book as a gift for the holidays might I suggest our soon to be released:
The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects: Techniques and Design Notes for One-of-a-kind Jewelry Pieces
by Deryn Mentock
Make your very own bohemian, rustic, one-of-a-kind, jewelry that integrates found objects or repurposes beautiful charms and elements from your jewelry box. In
The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects, you will not only learn solid techniques for making several beautiful projects, but also how to
plan and conceive your designs using unique objects in mixed media jewelry pieces.
This book includes an overview of the tools and materials you’ll need to get started, as well as a reference section that outlines important techniques. Projects included use metals, wire, beads, stones and found objects to create unique jewelry that will have everyone talking. Informative sidebars share tips and design notes that discuss the design elements in the piece; colors, shapes, textures, and what works in the piece and why. Find your inspiration, while developing amazing design skills with
The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects!
Deryn Mentock is a jewelry artist whose work has been featured widely in both books and magazines. She is a nationally known teacher and travels to teach mixed media jewelry classes at such venues as Art Unraveled, Adorn Me!, ArtBliss, Art & Soul, and others. In addition, she teaches online classes from her website, Jewelry Works. Her design work includes being on the creative team for Susan Lenart Kazmer and work done for Michaels national craft stores. Her work has been published online for Michaels, as well as in their project book for Susan Lenart Kazmer’s Industrial Chic project book.
She maintains a strong online presence for the past six years through her blog Something Sublime and runs a very successful venture into online teaching through her site, Jewelry Works. She’s had hundreds of happy online jewelry making students and continues to gain a following through both sites. She also maintains an Etsy store, Flickr site, Pinterest membership and several Yahoo groups.
Or some of my favorites available now:
Bead Bugs: Cute, Creepy, and Quirky Projects to Make with Beads, Wire, and Fun Found Objects
by Amy Kopperude
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