A review of Stylish Jewelry Made Simple
review by jean baldridge yates
Kalmbach, the publisher of Stylish Jewelry Made Simple, has compiled another wonderfully photographed and stepped out how-to jewelry project book. The projects originally were shown in Bead Style Magazine. They have been hand selected for this book.
As you can see, you are going to get lots of chic projects to work with (45! More than usual) in this very accessible and easy to understand, yet very hip and colorful book!
Stylish Jewelry Made Simple is cleverly and mindfully bound, using the spiral binding format. This means you don't have to put a door stop, or your shoe, or coffee cup ( or the weight of your choice--note to self : open store selling weights to put on non spiral bound project books) on the page which you are looking at. Because of this, you have the advantage of being able to use both of your hands. Yes, you are freed up to work as you make a project! Yippee! This book has clearly had a lot of thought put into it...in that way, and in many others.
What are some of the other ways this book is thoughtful? For one, Stylish Jewelry Made Simple has three focuses: all three are very on trend right now. They are stringing, wirework and stitching. I have been making jewelry for a long time now and I was delighted to see stitching offered! I want, even as an experienced designer, to learn more about stitching. So that right there is another way this book is thoughtful. You might already be an old hand at certain techniques you will be offered here, but maybe you need refreshing, or maybe you need a window into a whole new technique you never thought to try.
Another way this book is thoughtful: it has a great set-up in the manner in which it is organized.
It is organized by color! How intriguing and fun!
As the editor of Bead Style Magazine explains in her introduction to this book, "Stylish Jewelry Made Simple is organized by color, so you can pick the perfect shade to match your wardrobe. I'm sure you have a favorite, but I urge you to browse each category --you never know where you'll be inspired!"
People, that is the great Naomi Fujimoto talking. As we know, she KNOWS! Happily, she is also one of the contributors to this fine book.
The book starts off with a bang: Each project section has a page devoted to the color you are going to be exploring by using different techniques. You are drawn in right away by the great quotes which you will see chosen for you to start off each color section. The color red is first, and the quote is a knockout. This is a bit different from the way a regular jewelry design book is presented. It is a lot of fun to see for yourself, so I don't want to spoil the surprises for you.
Naomi points out that indeed some of the projects are NOT just for beginners, so if you have strayed away from technique work and want a brushing up but you are in fact experienced, this book will be good for you, as well as your niece who just graduated from college and deserves a fun and creative gift to celebrate her vivacious and youthful perspective. Give her a bunch of beads and some tools along with this book, and watch her rock it!
If you love up to date projects which you can make in an hour or two, or a day, Stylish Jewelry Made Simple is a great choice. You don't need to give up months to create fun and chic jewelry for yourself or your friends when you use this book as your guide.
I like hot pinks and purples, and the first project I want to try is Susan Sudnik's "Leather & chain bracelet and earrings". I love cup chain and I love leather (and faux leather). I cannot wait to try this very pretty project.
But back to something I mentioned earlier. What is offered concerning stitching? Well, one project I found which I loved which could be considered to fall under that heading is the luscious "Hugs & kisses bracelet & earrings" by Jill Urquhart. This project uses Czech glass and seed beads and comes out looking stunning in pink or in creamy toffee--both are offered. Easy, easy, easy even if you have never stitched before. You will love it! That is one example for you of the stitching available for you via this wonderful book.
The breakdown of Projects (chapters) is as follows:
Reds
Greens
Blues (wait til you read the quote which leads of this chapter!)
Pinks
Neutrals
Metals (Yes people, this is a color now!!! Welcome to this century!)
and
Mixed
How comprehensive and go getting does that sound?
You also get lovely (and equally well photographed) Beader's Glossary and Basics sections at the end of the book. You get, as well, a list of the contributors, all of whom have done great work here.
There IS a project here for you (or ten or twenty) which you are going to want to make right away! I guarantee it.
The trademark clarity of Bead Style is in evidence in the photography. There is a lot of space around each photo so that you can really experience what you are seeing, up close and personal. This helps you to process and understand immeasurably,
It's a little wild, a little classic, a little hip, a little spectacular, and a LOT of pretty for the beader in you. Come out and play, with
Stylish Jewelry Made Simple !
thanks!
jean xox