• Home
  • Suggest A Craft
  • DIY Newsletter

Jewelry Making

DIY Jewelry, Beads And Patterns

  • About CraftGossip
  • Our Network
    • Bath & Body Crafts
    • Candle Making Ideas
    • Crochet Ideas
    • Cross Stitch
    • Edible Crafts
    • Felting Patterns
    • Glass Art
    • Home & Garden Ideas
    • Indie Crafts
    • Jewelry Making
    • Kids Crafts
    • Knitting Patterns
    • Lesson Plans
    • Needlework
    • Party Ideas
    • Polymer Clay
    • Quilting Ideas
    • Recycled Crafts
    • Scrapbooking
    • Sewing Patterns
    • Card Making
    • DIY Weddings
    • Not Craft Ideas
  • Giveaways
  • Roundups
  • Store
  • Search

The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewerly Book Review

August 17, 2008 by Barbe Saint John

The Naughty Secretary Club: The Working Girls Guide to Handmade Jewelry by Jennifer Perkins

  • Paperback: 144 pages
  • Publisher: North Light Books (August 11, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1600611168
  • ISBN-13: 978-1600611162

I will preface this by being completely honest –  its real hard to be unbiased when reviewing a book when A: the author is a friend and B: you have a love for the subject matter that rivals the people on InFANity. So I’ll “keep it real” like as I always do.  I have one word for this SQUEEE!!!!!!!!!!!! Jennifer is also Craft Gossip’s Craft Artist Life  editor. You should visit her section & read all the cool interviews she has up over there.

I got the package as I was going out the door with my dog. I quickly ripped it open as I was walking and it was love at first sight. How can you NOT love it?? The colors, the laughing mannequin with perfect red cat eye glasses-SQUEE!!!! But hang on,  there is more to love, trust me. This first glance is just the tip of the color saturated iceburg that awaits you inside its glossy covers-so much so, my dog and I made an emergency pitstop at Starbucks so I could sit and go thru this book right there and then.

Open it up and be prepared for a full blown blast of colors, kitsch and cleverness.  This is not a book for the shy or conservative jewelry maker. Jennifer wears her heart on her sleeve, a watch on her head and pencils in her ears-and she’ll make you want too as well!

Packed with ideas, tips and tricks on how to turn vintage junque into wearable art I really feel this book will appeal to just about everyone.  Even if you can’t imagine wearing little plastic deer in your ear (hey, I’m a poet and didn’t know it!), you will get a ton of inspiration and tricks in the book that you can use with whatever your style is.

The book begins an introduction, supplies, tools and the definition of the skill levels of the projects. Remember because this is all about using found objects you are not limited by what you have or don’t have at home.  This book is ALL about being creative and having fun. The projects are broken up into 3 sections: A case of the Mondays, Hump Day and TGIF with 30 projects total and unlimited ways to expand upon them. While its hard to nail it down to just a FEW, I’ll pick three of the top ones that I love especially:  Thank you for Calling bangle (I love those purses too!), Tied Down Brooch and the Specs Appeal Necklace (super clever). Sprinkled through out are little “take a memo”  sidebars with fun info, trivia and tips.

Its a great book for beginners as well the experienced jewelrymaker who wants to expand their boundaries and push outside their boxes. Its a delight to look at and read.

Next Idea:

  • Selling Your Handmade Jewelry on Etsy: A Beginner's Guide
«
»

Have you read?

Hama BioBeads Review: The Eco-Friendly Fuse Beads You’ll Love

As a long-time crafter, I’ve worked with all kinds of materials, but there’s something about fuse beads that never gets old. The creativity, the colors, the nostalgia—it’s all part of the fun! But let’s be honest, traditional plastic beads aren’t exactly great for the environment. That’s why I was so excited to try Hama BioBeads, an eco-friendly alternative that promises all the fun of classic Hama beads without the plastic guilt. So, do they live up to the hype? Let’s dive in!

What Are Hama BioBeads?

Hama BioBeads are a biodegradable version of the classic Hama fuse beads. Instead of being made from petroleum-based plastic, these beads are crafted from a plant-based, eco-friendly material that naturally decomposes over time. That means less plastic waste while still enjoying the same vibrant colors and creativity that fuse bead lovers expect.

First Impressions: Do They Feel Different?

When I first opened the pack, I was curious—would they feel different from traditional beads? The answer: not really! The beads are slightly smoother to the touch, but they’re just as easy to handle, pick up with tweezers, and place on a pegboard. The colors are just as bright and bold, which was a big relief since I was worried they might look dull or faded.

One of the things I love about these beads is that they’re the same size as regular Hama beads, so they work with all my existing pegboards and accessories. No need to buy new tools or change my crafting process!

How Do They Fuse?

Now, onto the real test—how well do they iron together?

I followed my usual fusing process, using parchment paper and a medium heat setting on my iron. The beads melted together perfectly, just like regular Hama beads. No weird smells, no uneven melting—just smooth, well-bonded designs.

I also noticed that once cooled, the fused beads felt a bit sturdier than traditional plastic beads. That’s a huge plus because sometimes regular beads can feel brittle or break apart too easily.


What Makes Hama BioBeads Special?

? Eco-Friendly & Biodegradable – The biggest selling point! These beads naturally break down over time, reducing environmental impact.
? Non-Toxic & Safe for Kids – Made from natural materials, they’re a safer option for little crafters.
? Same Great Quality – They look, feel, and fuse just like classic Hama beads—no sacrifice in quality!
? Works with Existing Hama Accessories – You don’t need special pegboards or tools; they fit right into your current stash.
? Great for Schools & Eco-Conscious Crafters – If you’re an educator or a parent looking to introduce sustainability to kids in a fun way, these are perfect!

The only potential downside is that since these are a newer product, they may not be as widely available as traditional Hama beads. Some colors also seem to be in and out of stock, so if you see a set you love, I’d suggest grabbing them while you can.

 If you love fuse bead crafting but want a more sustainable option, Hama BioBeads are a fantastic choice. They’re just as fun, colorful, and easy to use as regular Hama beads, but they come with the added bonus of being better for the planet. Whether you’re a hobby crafter, a parent, or a teacher, these beads are a guilt-free way to get creative.

So if you’re looking to make your crafts a little greener, give Hama BioBeads a try!  Check them out here!

RSS More Articles

  • DIY Shirt Extender – Sewing Pattern
  • Summer Headband Knitting Patterns
  • Swirly Do – Online Quilt Class
  • Create a Beautiful DIY Flower Press and a Little Girl’s Flower Garden
  • 13 Fun Door Stops You Can Crochet For Your Home
  • Creative Ways to Reuse UNO Cards: Fun Upcycled Crafts to Try
  • Crewel Embroidery Handy Pocket Guide: Everything to Get You Started
  • Etsy Spotlight: Tank Top and Shorts PDF Pattern for Boys
  • What’s Next for Joann?
  • Color Wheel Mini Scrapbook Album

Pick Your Blog

  • Sewing
  • Knitting
  • Quilting
  • Crochet
  • Home & Garden
  • Recycled Crafts
  • Scrapbooking
  • Card Making
  • Polymer Clay
  • Cross-Stitch
  • Edible Crafts
  • Felting
  • Glass Art
  • Indie Crafts
  • Kids Crafts
  • Jewelry Making
  • Lesson Plans
  • Needlework
  • Bath & Body
  • Party Ideas
  • Candle Making
  • DIY Weddings
  • Not Craft
  • Free Craft Projects

Categories

Beading Book Reviews Craft Inspirations Crystals DIY Tutorials and Patterns Felt/Fiber Halloween Jewelry For Men Jewelry Making - General Jewelry making - Supplies Jewelry Making Give Away Jewelry Making Techniques Jewelry Making Tutorials and Ideas metalwork Mixed Media necklace Polymer Clay Product Reviews recycled/upcycled Wire Work

Copyright © 2025 · CraftGossip | Start Here | Contact Us | Link to Us | Your Editors | Privacy and affiliate policy