This may not be the way that you are used to working, but if you are hoping to make a profit from your craft, you might want to check this out and think about what your buyers are interested in seeing this season.

As described on Amazon, each year the American Jewelry Design Council runs an invitation only project in which jewelers are asked to submit designs based on a particular theme.

The resulting works are shown in this book in great detail.

This ebook is part of their “Best of” series and includes 10 projects by different designers aimed at helping you build technical skills and giving design inspiration. There are pendant, earring, ring and bracelet projects included.

Also, I couldn’t resist posting this STUNNING necklace found on her website.  It was a joint work between Nelson-Smith and Lampwork Bead artist Ronit Dagen, and I find it just spectacular.

Each chapter covers a specific stitch and includes tons of photographs and diagrams to help you learn these stitches.  The author also covers materials, terminology in beading and adds extra tips on many of the pages so that the reader/beader learns a lots as they go through each project.  This is a great reference book for new beadser and those looking to refresh their skills.

The first chapter is especially useful as it covers “Skills and Techniques” such as length of thread, ending threads, correcting mistakes and much more.

I think the most exciting part is that the projects are not just basic beading projects but rather are based on mixing traditional techniques, stitches and styles from folk beading in many cultures.  The author also mixes materials such as wire work, and many different types of seed beads to get these unique looks.

This book discusses using hand and machine embroidery techniques to create pieces of jewelry.  It comes with projects for the reader to create and discusses topics such as how to figure out the amount of beads needed, fabric choices, layering sheers and incorporating found objects.

The cover necklace is quite elegant and if it is an indicator of the projects included in the book, it should be a great read.

The basics are:  make a pair of earrings and send them in with a self addressed stamped envelope and receive a pair of earrings from another reader.  If you are lucky you will receive one of the 5 pairs donated by the author herself.  But hurry, all entries must be postmarked by August 31st.

Visit the link above for rules etc and for a free ebook of 5 Free Jewelry Projects.

Happy Swapping!

If you’re a jewelry maker, chances are you have lusted after a gemstone or ten.  Be it majestic turquoise, fiery opals or sparkly diamonds, todays fashion runways are glittering with gemstones more than ever and so can you.

There use to be a time when the only place you could buy an semi precious or precious bead like an emerald was at a jewelry store but now they can easily be found online and in local bead shops.  ”Simply Gemstones” author Nancy Alden is your gemstone fairy godmother. She brings back her popular Beadworks series with this book focusing on greating great gemstone jewelry.  As with her other books, she makes the process easy and shows even a novice how to create stunning gemstone jewelry. 

This book begins with a primer on gemstone basics and introduces the read to common as well as uncommmon gemstones such as Cornflake Pearls, Pink Sapphire, and Black Spinel, among others.  There is over 5o projects in this book and they lean toward simple strung necklaces and bracelets. The use of an amazing colored or shaped stone can make even the a simply strung necklaceinto a masterpiece.  The book as lots of eye candy and is a great resource for someone who isn’t familiar with gemstones.

Ancient Modern: Polymer Clay + Wire Jewelry  by Ronna Sarvas Weltman

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680970
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680975

I was blown away when I saw the cover of this book and HAD to have it.   This distinctive jewelry book artistically combines polymer clay and wire into  organic, sophisticated, and contemporary jewelry.  Bead crafters and jewelry makers will learn a number of innovative techniques in designing beads and components from polymer clay, making wire work elements, clasps and ear wires, wire bead caps, polymer clay tipped head pins, and more.  The author has a very distinct  modernist primitive style that I personally LOVE, and if this is your style  as well,  you will be making some amazing  jewelry.

Ancient Modern discusses the fundamentals of jewelry design as well as what makes a piece “primitive” and how to achieve an organic effect through color mixing and textures.  There are 15 one-of-a-kind detailed projects and a gallery of more stunning jewelry to be inspired by..

The book starts with an introduction to deigning jewelry, color inspiration, the tools used with wire, wire techniques, creating clasps, and all about polymer clay. In that section she goes over how to cure clay, tools, various techniques like canes and marbleing and how to make a simple bead.  Then its on to the projects.

The projects range from Lush Sonata Necklace, Three Ring Circus Brooch, to Dancing Bells Earrings and Embrace Me ring. All have very detailed photos and instructions.

This book is truly one of a kind polymer clay book. I”m inspired to pull out my old polymerclay (hope its still soft!) and try out these techniques.

Wire Jewelry VISUAL Quick Tips by Chris Franchetti Michaels

Just like Visual Quick Tips Beading book I reviewed last month, author Chris Franchetti Michaels  Visual Quick Tips Wire Jewelry book is a winner!!!!

Along with tons of tips, tricks and how to’s, it  also has the  coil wire binding so it can lay flat while you have 2 hands full of wire and pliers. I really think ALL jewelry instruction books should be bound this way!

As with the Beading Visual Quick tips, this book has lots of  detailed color photos and concise instructions so you never have to second guess how to bend a piece of wire or guess what size gauge you have in your hand. This book  is a MUST for anyone who wants to start making wire jewelry or as a handy reference guide for more advanced wirewrappers.

Chapter 1 is all about jewelry making wire-types of wire, wire shape, gauge, temper finishes and care.

Chapter 2 goes over wirework tools. From pliers to wire cutters, hammers, block, mandrels, files and more. There are pictures of each, so you can tell the difference between a rubber mallet and a chasing hammer.

Chapter 3 is all about safety, storage and organization-all important!

Chapter 4 is when you start working with the wire-Basic wirework includes making jump rings, eyepins, basic wire clasp and more.

 Chapter 5 is more advanced techniques. You’ll learn how to make a wrapped briolette, wave finger ring, herringbone wrap and more. 

Chapter 6 is wire chain. Make S hook chain, double spiral chain, byzantine chain and other fun chains.

Chapter 7 is using a wire jig. From basic techniques to wire jig patterns.

There is an appendix with the American Wire Gauge chart, coils per inch reference char, millimeter and inch conversions, oxidation methods, polishing techniques and resourses. I love this book and you will too.

Bottle Cap Jewelry Supplies Giveaway from Ten Two Studios

Remember that gorgeous  Romantic Rose Necklace by Ten Two design team member Peace Schuyler that I blogged about last week?

Lisa Vollrath; the owner of  Ten Two Studios, thought that one of our lucky readers would like to create their own necklace so she has sent me a nice package of supplies to giveaway!   You will get everything pictured above - 20 gorgeous bamboo tiles, lots of bottlecaps, and 2 pretty collage sheets.  You will be able to create a bunch of pendants, charms, necklaces or bracelets with this fun lot of supplies from Ten Two Studios.

For your chance to win-leave a comment below. I’ll pick the lucky winner on May 30!

 Mixed Metals: creating contemporary jewelry with silver, gold, copper, brass & more. Melinda Barta & Danielle Fox

•  Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (May 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159668092X
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680920

The authors Danielle Fox & Melinda Barta seem to out do themselves with each book they put out. Whenever I get their lastest, I am blown away with how great it is. I think there is NO way they can top themselves with the next one, only to be happily proven wrong.  Mixed Metals had me when I saw the cover-SWOON!!!!

The focus of Mixed Metals: Creating contemporary jewelry with silver, gold, copper, brass & more is about rethinking the way we use metal in our jewelry designs.  Utilizing premade metal beads, charms, clasps. chains and other components accessible at any bead store, this mixed metal jewelry book offers 21 boutique style projects that don’t require any metalworking skills.  Whether an experienced beader or beginner, these gorgeous projects will inspire you to “mix it up” and have fun with a variety of premade components.

The projects themselves are so lovely, you will be running to your local bead or craft store to find some of the unique items shown in this book. I have a HUGE shopping list already compiled.

Mixed Metals begins with projects based on each type of metal – Gold, Silver, Base Metals, Faux/other metals and Mixing Metals. Each chapter has background information on that type of metal, from  history, facts, common properties to  care, and cleaning.  Each project had step by step instructions and detailed photography.

There are also techniques for altering the metals by using liver of sulfur, other patinas, and hammering.   A glossary of terms, beading & wirework 101 techniques, resources and shopping guide are at the end of the book.

The diversity of the projects as well as the components makes this book really stand out.  I think this book will be liberating to alot of  jewelrymakers who feel a bit stuck with just using all one type of metal. You won’t be afraid to throw caution to the wind and mix some gold and silver chains with copper charms after reading this book.   I can’t pick ONE favorite out of this book because the are all so lush.  Its a gorgeous book not only for it’s projects, but also for it’s inspiration and shopping links.

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Need a little help with your bead working skills?  Have I got the book for you – Beading VISUAL Quick Tips is here to save the day!

I wish I had had this book when I was learning to make jewelry.  Not only is it full of all kinds of tips & tricks AND its the perfect size. It’s a smaller sized book with a coil wire binding so it can lay flat. That is perfect when you have your hands full of tiny needle, thin thread and beads.  I think ALL jewelry instruction books should be bound this way!

Author Chris Franchetti Michaels has done a magnificent job with this follow up to her first book “Teach Yourself Visually Jewelry Making & Beading”.   The book has lots of  detailed color photos and concise instructions so you never have to second guess exactly WHERE to put that needle or how to finish off a ribbon necklace.  I think this book is a MUST for anyone who wants to start making jewelry, is a beginner or for more advanced crafters to have for their reference library.

Chapter 1 is all about beads, beading supplies, tools and jewelry findings. Perfect for the absolute beginner who has no clue about what a  knotting awl or twisted needle wire is, let alone looks like.

Chapter 2 is covers basic bead stringing techniques. It talks about different grades of jewelry wire, hiding crimps, using headpins and lots more.

Chapter 3 will have you doing advanced bead stringing. It goes over multiple strands, using end cones, creating beaded laces and fringe and weaving a daisy chain among its projects.

Chapter 4 is when you start beadweaving with peyote stitch. Chapter 5 is beading with macrame knots and beads. Chapter 6 closes the book with what else? closures! You learn to customize the look of your designs by creating bails, clasps and closures.  There is also an appendix with reference materials so you can quickly look up standard jewelry lengths or beading wire sizes.

I love this book and you will too. I’ll be giving this book away as well to one lucky Craft Gossip reader – stay tuned!