Book Reviews and Giveaways

Caroline Cox has written a fantastic book that chronicles Vintage jewelry design from the 1830s to the current trends. If you are interested in the history of design, and want some inspiration for your own designs- this is a great book to have on hand. I especially loved the 1920s Streamlined and Chic section of the book. Interesting photos and images showcase lovely vintage style necklaces, bracelets and earrings. It is chock full of colorful photos and made me feel like running to my local antique mall to see what I could find.

Vintage Jewelry Design was published by Lark Jewelry and Beading books.

One thing that I don’t have in my jewelry repoitoire is rings. I can’t help but be inspired to try my hand at more ring designs with Marthe Le Van’s 30-Minute rings. It may seem unlikely looking at some of the designs, that you could actually finish something so cool in 30 minutes or less but after reading through a few of the instructions, I realized it definitely can be done!
One of the artists featured in this book is Victoria Takahashi, of Experimetal. I have admired her work on Etsy for months now.
She has one of the coolest rings in this book that I would love to buy from her- it’s soldered silver with thick copper bar. OH! Here’s a pic!
You can find 30-Minute Rings (Lark Books) on shelves now!

I know I’m not a lampworker but I know a lot of talented ladies who are! And I’m sure they’ll be inspired by this creative How-To book on making lampworked beads and pendants. I like the step-by-step photos in any how-to book and Jeri Warhaftig has included many great tutorials with stepped out photos for most projects. This book features beads from some talented women, and some of the most admirable lampworkers around like: Heather Trimlett, Andrea Guarino-Slemmons, Claudia Trimbur-Pagel and Pinar Hakim to list just a few!!
If making beads is your passion, this is a definite MUST HAVE for your library.

Creating Glass Beads (Lark Books) is available now!

Now the fun part! If you are interested in participating in a giveaway, leave a comment on this post and tell me which of the 3 books listed here, you would like to have and why. I will draw 3 random winners from the entries on Tuesday April 5th, which is my baby sister’s 21st Birthday! WOOT!  You may enter only once, leave one comment, and please make sure I can contact you – no anonymous comments please.

i have not been paid or compensated for doing this review.

Wire Style 2 Giveaway!

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED! WINNER HAS BEEN PICKED!

A random winner will be drawn on Wednesday March 16th. Please feel free to pass the word along!

(* happy birthday to my brother Bren–  (short for brenard) )

30- Minute Necklaces- A giveaway!

30-Minute Necklaces: 60 Quick & Creative Projects for Jewelers by Marthe Le Van is available through Lark Books.  A 136-page paperback book, with interesting and thought-provoking projects that should each only take about 30 minutes to create. This is my kind of beading book, especially since I don’t generally like to take a lot of time to create my designs!
I love the inspiring projects, and the fact that there is a little bit of everything, for the beader or the metalsmither. The projects are clear and easy to understand, and the photography is stellar, showing an overall shot of the finished piece, and a nice close up for each piece.
A few of my friends are in this one as well, Erin Strother (who I’m sure you’ve seen in Stringing magazine) and also author Brenda Schweder!

I have one Author-signed copy of this book, and am giving it away! All you have to do is leave a comment on this post!  I will draw a random comment to win, on Sunday evening, Oct 31st! Happy Halloween!

30- Minute Earrings

If you are anything like me, and I’m guessing you are, since you’re reading this blog, time is of the essence. TIME to sit down and create is something of a challenge that some people are faced with. Life sometimes just gets in the way. I was fortunate to get a copy of the new 30 Minute Earrings by Marthe Le Van, and I am giving it away here to one lucky winner.

This book is a must have, for the jeweler on the go, for the busy body who doesn’t have a whole lot of time to create. You can do any of the 60 projects (YES! 60!!) in 30 minutes or less.  This book is geared toward the intermediate level jewelry designer. The projects are based on metalworking techniques, some basic, some advanced. Each of the earring designs are unique and stylish, some modern some classic. A great book to have on hand for inspiration, or to learn something new!

Leave a comment on this post:  

Tell me what type of earrings are your favorite to make?

I will pick a random comment to win,  on Monday morning,  July 19th.

Birthday Week Book Giveaway #4, and Yesterday’s Winner announced

I picked a random winner out of the 28 comments posted for this giveaway! The winner of Beadmaille Jewelry with Bead Weaving and Metal Rings by Cindy T. Pankopf is…..

MoonRae!!! Yippeeeeee! Congratulations, Sharon!!

Contact me and I’ll need your address to send your awesome book! 

I guarantee that you’ll flip through this book ooohing and aaahhhhing over every project! I had the pleasure of meeting author Mary Hettmansperger on the Bead Cruise, year before last. She’s very down to earth, and you can see her passion for jewelry and metal, just but looking her in the eye! I am enamored by her skills and I know you’ll love this new book that she recently wrote. Published by Lark Books, this nice hard cover technique book rocks as much as the next one. Covering a wide array of topics on Metal Clay, sheet metal, tools,  this book is a must have if you are thinking about getting into any metalworking. The projects are interesting, and unique- and they even look easy enough for me, the metalworking novice.  I really wish I had 50 of these books to give away but I’m afraid I have just the one.

Leave a comment on this post and tell me:
If you had a chance to meet Mary in person, what is the one thing you would ask her and why?

I will pick a random winner tomorrow, Friday, May 21st, around 4pm.
I will then announce the last book giveaway of the week! 

Birthday Week Book Giveaway #3, and the Winner Announced

I picked a random winner out of the 79 comments posted for this giveaway! The winner of Metalworking 101 for Beaders by Candie Cooper is…..

Nicki of Nicki’s Reef!!! Yippeeeeee! Congratulations!!

Contact me and I’ll need your address to send your awesome book!

 

Two techniques that I have always been enamored with are Chainmaille and Beadwork. Why not combine them in designs! Cindy Thomas Pankopf shows you how in this nice soft cover technique book. 25 different projects highlight these two stunning designs in rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelet forms. Step by Step instructions are clear and the diagrams are readable and easy to understand. A great book to look through from inspiration! I love the alternative designs for each project too, gives you a whole new perspective on altering the basic technique.

All you have to do is Leave a Comment on this post, and tell me
How you found out about this week of giveaways, and would you pass the word along if possible?

I will pick a random winner Tomorrow, Thursday May 20, around 4pm.
I will announce the winner and also tell you about the next book giveaway!!

Birthday Week Book Giveaway #2 and Winner announced

The winner of Embellished Beadweaving by Laura McCabe is….. 

AUNTIE ANNIE!! Yippeeeeee! Congratulations!! 

Contact me and I’ll need your address to send your awesome book!

The second book I’m reviewing, and giving away is Metalworking 101 for Beaders by Candie Cooper! I have this book in my collection. I refer to it not only for techniques but also it’s a great source of inspiration. Just look at the cover! All of the projects include the most beautiful phographs! I don’t know a lot about metalworking and am hoping to get into a bit more in the near future and I’m glad I have this book on hand to teach me some of the basics. The front section is all about different tools and materials that you need to get started. Want to learn how to hammer metal? Cut with a saw? Instructions are clear and easy to understand for these and lots of ther creative techniques. I love how Candie formulated a book that can appease the metalworker and the beader, all in one! 

All you have to do is Leave a Comment on this post, and tell me

What Metalworking technique would you want to learn, and why?

I will pick a random winner Tomorrow, Wednesday May 19th, around 4pm.

I will announce the winner and also tell you about the next book giveaway!!

Birthday Week Book Giveaway #1

Have you recently thought to yourself
“hey, I really wish I had a book that could take my beadweaving designs OVER THE TOP”? or
“You know, If I could learn how to bead like Laura McCabe, I’d be GOLDEN!” ?
or
“Are there any beading books that will cover Basic techniques AND advanced techniques, all in one place?”

Guess what?

I got it. For you. Right here, on the blog.

Embellished Beadweaving by Laura McCabe, is the all in one… the place to learn to turn your ordinary beadweaving designs into SUPERSTAR beadweaving designs.  This hardcover 144 page book, includes step by step techniques with clear and stunning photographs, and excellent color diagrams. The projects include Rings, Earrings, Bracelets, and Necklaces, perfect for whatever your heart is desiring. Each and every one, a true piece of art that is sure to stop you in your tracks. Recently published by the ever-popular Lark Books, this one can’t be missed!

What do you have to do to win?
Leave a comment here on this blog post,
and tell me what your current favorite
beading technique is!
I will draw a random winner at approx. 4pm tomorrow,  May 18th! my birthday- woot!
and then I’ll also announce the next book giveaway!

Book Review: Jewelry Inspirations, Techniques and Designs from the Artist’s Studio by Sherri Haab

Author, jewelry designer, teacher, and crafty diva, Sherri Haab has done it again. She paired up with Watson-Guptill Publications and created a jewelry how-to book that is a must have this Spring season. I got my hands on a copy and am quite impressed.

Jewelry Inspirations: Techniques and Designs from the Artist’s Studio is an all-inclusive jewelry technique and design book. It covers everything from the basics of wire wrapping, to the more complicated  techniques of metal clay and etching.

Have trouble with organization and creating your own perfect studio space? Sherri sheds some light on these topics too in the beginning chapters. The book is broken up into themes such as Memories, Seasons, Collections, Hobbies, and Blast from the Past. Each section features a couple of different subsections, that take you through the process of a few different techniques. 

I have been asked a couple of times within the past few weeks if I know of any technique books that show fiber and leather techniques. GUESS WHAT!? Sherri features a few different designs that use this technique. Along with others such as wire crochet, Braiding, lucite flowers, polymer clay, and woven fibers. 

The step by step instructions for each project read easily, and are understandable. But my favorite thing about this book is the photography. It’s impeccable. The photos of each project are clear, bright, colorful and eye catching. Each section has a beautiful collage photo in the beginning that is truly inspiring in and of itself.

If you are lacking some new inspiration, I definitely recommend picking up a copy of Sherri’s Jewelry Inspirations. It really does deliver: INSPIRATION! TIPS! Step by Step Instructions! and how to find Inspiration in the world around you!

Available for pre-order now, here on Amazon. It will be released on March 9th.

I have a surprise for you! I have a copy to give away here!  Leave me a comment on this post and I will pick a random winner on Monday March 8th. One comment per person, please. And PLEASE be sure to leave your email so that I can notify you if you win!  Anonymous comments WILL NOT COUNT!

Lark Books- A giveaway

The awesome and generous Lark Books sent me a few of their newest Beading books to review and give away on my blog. The first is Beading with World Beads by Ray Hemachandra. This is an excellent source of inspiration. The photographs, which always grab me in books like this, are stunning, crisp and all of the shots are laid out so well! The instructions are nice and easy, for any level beader. A nice variety of strung projects, wire wrapped necklaces, and other non-jewelry items are included. Many of the projects aren’t as “ethnic” as you may think, and I’ve pulled many great ideas from the inspiration amongst these pages.

The second book is Bugle Bead Bonanza, by Jamie Cloud Eakin. Since I’ve never really done and beadwork with seedbeads, I can’t really say that I’ve tried the projects in this beading adventure. I would say that the photographs are beautiful and the projects seem interesting and there is something for every level, beginner to advanced. Step by step diagrams for each of the advanced projects are well organized and understandable. My favorite projects in this book are the stunning cuff style bracelets

I am giving both of these books away, to two different winners. Each copy is signed by the author! I will draw a random winner using the Random Integer Generator on Wednesday morning, January 20th.

Please leave a comment on this post to be entered into the drawing, and state which of these two books you’d prefer if you were to win!

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE!

Lark Books has sent me these items free of charge, and I have not been paid in any way for the review of these books. I have given an honest review of each title.