Semiprecious Salvage


Book Description

Unearth treasures of the past to create stunning found-object jewelry. Embark on an expeditioner's journey back in time to uncover tattered silk, faceted stones and other forgotten items, and learn how to give them new life as a pendant, ring or brooch. Found objects can be beautiful both for the unique, unexpected look they add to your work and for the stories we imagine them to tell. In the pages of Semiprecious Salvage, you will discover the excitement of reclaiming remnants of the past and reinterpreting their beauty in wearable works of mixed-media art. Step-by-step instructions guide you through the basics of wirework and creating basic jewelry findings, then encourage you to don your boots and get digging as you mix and match elements to create one-of-a-kind treasures. You'll learn to: • Age modern "flashy" objects to create the distressed look of pieces with a past • Combine jewelry elements with new and vintage fabrics for a soft, romantic touch • Master the use of a soldering iron and a propane torch in crafting metal jewelry • Incorporate plaster and resin into your work for added depth and intrigue Reinvent your artwork with your own Semiprecious Salvage and start sharing the stories of your own found objects today.




The Art of Forgotten Things


Book Description

Discover a masterpiece that gives new life to found objects in The Art of Forgotten Things. Imagine necklaces and bracelets using one-of-a-kind components that hint at fragments of stories that exist only in the mind, evoking a mysterious past. Author Melanie Doerman will teach you how to take esquisite mementoes from history and make them into meaningful works of wearable art. The Art of Forgotten Things offers a brilliant new take on expressing your story within a jewelry design. Melanie shows how to create delicate beaded frames, clasps, nets, and components with seed beads and combine them with mixed-media elements for jewelry with an evocative look and feel. You'll also find an extensive techniques section that includes instructions for flat and tubular peyote, right-angle weave, bead netting, bead embroidery, and picot edges and fringes; basic jewelry techniques such as wire wrapping; mixed-media techniques such as foiling; and additional embellishment. Detailed step-by-step instructions are provided for each project. You'll learn about various types of beads used in the book's projects, from tiny seed beads to crystals, pressed glass, pearls, and more, as well as other materials, tools, and "treasures" that make each creation unique. In addition, Melanie explores using readily available materials and items that you might already have in your collection, along with directions for locating more unusual or vintage items. The Art of Forgotten Things is truly a one-of-a-kind masterpiece for all imaginative jewelry artists.




Rejuvenated Jewels


Book Description

Learn where to find fabulous vintage jewelry, beads, and artifacts—and how to create stunning one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces using these amazing finds—with Rejuvenated Jewels! Rhinestone beads and clasps, mercury glass beads, oxidized metal chains, rosary beads, tiny book charms and more are retooled into fabulous statement pieces with Victorian and steampunk influences that can be worn every day.




Technical Manual


Book Description




Amulets and Talismans


Book Description

Making Jewelry with Meaning The things you collect - the ticket stubs, the coins, the pieces of shell from a beach - hold meaning and significance, reminding you not only where you've been, but also where you're capable of going. Making these items into wearable pieces of art - amplifying their power to become amulets and talismans - is a rewarding experience that's easy to do. Working with the most basic of tools, you will learn cold-connection jewelry techniques to expand your creative process. In addition to basics like creating jump rings and using a file, you will also: • Make your own hook and latch clasps • Cut windows from sheets of metal • Inlay designs into polymer clay • Incorporate concrete into your work • Achieve patinas with heat • Journal your thoughts onto faux bone • Turn paper pulp into realistic rocks • Create "time capsule" beads from Plexiglas • And much, much more! Discover the rewards of making your own amulets and talismans by learning new techniques to drive your creativity in an entirely new direction.




Bent, Bound And Stitched


Book Description

Bend, Shape and Stitch Your Creative Urges Into Expressive Works of Art! Dig out your craft supplies and dust off that forgotten stack of scrapbook papers. In the pages of Bent, Bound, and Stitched, the author of the wildly popular Collage Lost and Found shows you how to cut, glue and sew your way to dimensional collage works as unique as you are. Whether you're a collage artist ready for new techniques or a paper crafter looking to broaden your skills, reinventing your artwork is easy with complete step-by-step photos and instructions for twenty projects, including cards with decorative sewing-machine stitching, a pendant sporting a photo image on shrink plastic and even a photo stand for displaying your favorite snapshots. You'll learn to: • Incorporate found objects into unique jewelry pieces using simple methods even beginners can master. • Make the most of your stash of paper and rubber stamps, with fresh techniques to revamp your artwork arsenal without buying a thing. • Personalize your work with the help of wire letters and one-of-a-kind shapes. • Add interesting texture to paper projects with stencils, stitching and subtle sparkle. Let Bent, Bound and Stitched show you how to put a new twist on your creative expression, starting today.




A Charming Exchange


Book Description

Make your own stunning jewelry and meet new friends in the process! Welcome to A Charming Exchange, a place where inspired minds meet to combine and swap ideas and techniques to create unique charm bracelets, earrings, talismans and more. Your hosts, authors Ruth Rae and Kelly Snelling, have joined forces with a diverse group of talented contributing artists to bring you 55 step-by-step techniques in 25 inspiring jewelry projects. Combine the techniques in your own way, learn how to collaborate with other artists, create pieces for yourself or trade what you make with others. Whether you are new to jewelry making or a seasoned pro, you'll find plenty to inspire you to take your creations to a new level. In addition to basic jewelry techniques, you'll learn to: • Connect with other jewelry enthusiasts online or in your own community and work together to merge styles and share ideas and methods. • Discover how easy it is to incorporate unusual elements (from gold leaf to animal crackers tins) into your wearable pieces. • Make your own decorative chain links, add rivets to metal, create your own jump rings and much more! Let A Charming Exchange show you how to connect with like-minded souls and start making your own gorgeous jewelry pieces today.




Art Saves


Book Description

Discover it for yourself. Inside Art Saves, experience the stories of 20 artists who found that artistic expression and the artistic process is worth living for. Whether you are a calligraphy/graffiti artist like Lisa Engelbrecht, a metal artist like Michael DeMeng, or digital collage artist like Susan Tuttle, art has a way of giving you beauty, meaning, spiritual richness, community... even salvation. The stories in this book come from every medium, because the power of the creative process can be found everywhere. Hear from: • Drew Emborsky, a crochet artist, provides comfort through his creations by donating his work to hospitals and shelters. • Rebecca Sower puts craft materials—and hope—into the hands of Haitian women through Haiti By Hand. • Marie French who, through art, creates personal miracles of healing. • Suzi Blu, who discovered the real, therapeutic effect of art-making, shows you many simple, effective ways you can give back. INSIDE ART SAVES, YOU'LL ALSO FIND: • Mixed media techniques and projects. Throughout the book you'll find practical ideas to put you on the art-making path. Karen Michel shares instructions on creating prayer flags, Lynn Whipple shows you how to construct a permission plaque, Susannah Conway gives advice on revealing the soul of a place though inspired photography. • Inspired Lessons. Each artist lists the lessons they have learned about living life artfully. • "When the Going Gets Tough..." Sidebars suggest ways you can remain strong, even when things get challenging. Hear how different artists deal with difficulty head-on. • "In the artist's own words..." Advice and wisdom shared directly from each artist to you. The act of art-making is an act of life. So thread a needle, lift a paintbrush, put pencil to paper, focus the camera—find salvation.




Inspiritu Jewelry


Book Description

Create beautiful jewelry for better wellbeing Discover the power of creating unique pieces of adornment with the intention to heal. Inside Inspiritu you will turn pages borrowed from a dusty "prescriptions book" revealing restorative secrets of a legendary curandera—a woman healer—and will become inspired to create your own unique jewelry pieces to share with others. From creating your own clasps and jump rings to incorporating keepsakes with new elements there is much to discover here. You'll also: • Master a variety of metalworking jewelry techniques such as forging, stamping, sawing, wirework and more. • Learn the qualities instilled in specific colors and gemstones to truly target the needs of those you create jewelry for. • See how easy it is to turn new objects into ones that appear aged and where to go to find vintage treasures to use in your works. • Combine vintage elements with new materials to create striking pieces with both form and function. • Pamper yourself or others using the plentiful suggestions for restorative teas and other healing treatments. Whether you enjoy making earrings, bracelets or necklaces, start creating beautiful jewelry for the betterment of your mind, body and soul.




Bead And Wire Jewelry Exposed


Book Description

In Bead and Wire Jewelry Exposed, well-known designers Katie Hacker, Fernando DaSilva and Margot Potter offer over 50 high-fashion jewelry pieces made using unique techniques that reveal typically hidden components such as beading wire, cording, findings, tubing and chain as the central focus of the design. While the pieces may look complex, the techniques are simple enough for beginners - yet sophisticated enough for the veteran jewelry crafter. A comprehensive getting started section provides information on the supplies, tools and techniques you'll need to make all of the projects in the book.