New books like The Jewelry Maker's Design Book: An Alchemy of Objects: Techniques and Design Notes for One-of-a-kind Jewelry Pieces and new jewelry making supplies from Prima Beads and a Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms flower have combined to make today's New Year's Eve bling.
While attending the Spellbound event, I had the opportunity to make this focal charm that features a metal flower die cut made using Spellbinders Bitty Blossoms flower die cut. At the event, they gave us a nice cord to hang the charm from, but I thought I'd gather up some Prima Beads and fancy it up a bit.
To get some inspiration, I flipped through the new book The Jewelry Maker's Design Book and I spotted this pair of earrings that uses a beaded wire to hang a finding.
I cut a piece of wire and formed a loop on one end. Then, I threaded 9 super sparkly silver Prima Beads onto the wire, then the pendant and another 9 beads. I then formed another loop.
To complete the necklace I linked a length of chain and a heart charm to each wire loop.
This is a great jewelry making technique that would work to feature a new pendant or update the look of an old one.
If you happen to be a jewelry maker and know someone who might like a book as a gift for the holidays, might I suggest:
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.
www.mocknet.etsy.com