Posts Tagged ‘kalmbach books’
Jewelry for the New Romantic
Posted on: October 25, 2011
Jewelry for the New Romantic by Nealay Patel has several surprising beautiful designs. Nealay hit upon the idea of using beading wire as part of her jewelry design. His creativity led to this book of designs. Coated beading wire is no longer a means to an end. It becomes an integral part of the design itself.
First, you see the design on the cover, where gold beading wire forms perfect loops, with gorgeous Pacific Opal bicones that connect 2 loops, forming figure 8s. But the focal point of this design is what draws the eye. It’s a series of golden wire loops and bead dangles, along with short links of chain. The beading wire loops look soft, very feminine. It is just sturdy enough not to fall and droop. Yet, unlike regular beading wire, these aren’t stiff, won’t bend and become smashed. I love the delicate look. I turned to that project first, and was pleased to see that project, and many more, show variations on the theme, and how to use the instructions to make matching earrings, and in this case, a matching bracelet too. The earrings look positively fun all by themselves. Loops of that gold beading wire have a few crystals to catch the light, then a single jump ring below contains small chain, bicone links, and small links. I think these could be made separately and be a great item for shows.
After seeing these, I skimmed through looking at other earrings in the book. The Golden Knights design also has a great earring design. Nealay took a brighter golden beading wire this time and made a series of loops around a central crystal bicone. But these loops all went the same direction. They reminded me of looking at drawings of moons going around a planet, only in this case, up and down, instead of the around we usually think of. On these loops were small gold beads and crystals, with tiny crimps holding them up. There was another small cluster of beads at the very bottom of these loops.
I found 1 other design that was very different. She created beaded square frames that were open in the middle. Inside these were various looks of beading wire, all different. And on these small loopes were various beads and crystals, in colors that match the frames. He had attached these to form large links, but even a single one would make a great pendant. And, again, he showed smaller ones for earrings.
I love the way Nealay took beading wire beyond its typical “hidden” state and brought it to the forefront. He has yet another design where loops form dangling drops, so they are interspersed along a necklace, with cluster of 2 or 3 near the end of a lariat design. Very fetching. And again, I must say it is the look of the beading wire that seems at once elegant and feminine, yet strong and dramatic.
If you work with small beads, you will love this book. And if you don’t, you need this book to expand your own creativity in how you can use beading wire as an integral part of your designs. One large focal pendant, or loops connecting larger lampwork or polymer clay beads would be a beautiful way to step off from Nealay’s designs into your own projects.
Well, here is Beth’s “follow up” to her Seed Bead Stitching book I reviewed previously. I have to tell you there are no “duds” from Kalmbach when it comes to beading books.
I really like Beth’s very informal writing style; it’s like she’s sitting right here with me talking about beads and designs. Her personality and sense of humor really come through. Somehow, it makes the designs and her instructions less intimidating. Which, for this book, that’s good.
The designs are more difficult, incorporating triangles, several examples of toggles (I definitely have ideas for using these, maybe as a bracelet focal point), medallions with layers of beads, drops and more. I had another pattern for creating branches and dangles and could never figure it out, but Beth made it sound very simple in this book.
One thing about working with seed bead patterns is the list of exact beads you need to make the item. Beth commented on a reader wanting to know exact bead names and colors used in the projects. Beth quickly set that concern to rest, telling us she doesn’t know. “…years ago I transferred most of my beads to those really cute little flip-top containers and did not transfer
any names or numbers.” She encourages us to simply go thru and pick what we like. So, if you are an exacting seed beader, and work from precise plans and measurements, you may not appreciate Beth’s approach in this book. BUT, for me, I’m less intimidated.
The colors and designs range from bead soup projects to optically precise bead combinations. She has a set of triangles, some closed and some open in the center, that form a toggle bracelet. There are black and white triangles, separated by red and black, yellow/black and blue/black. Very
eye-catching, and I loved the contrast of different size and shape of triangles in the design.
I do have to admit that I am not someone who know peyote from herringbone from brick stitch, so I have to really read through a design to understand what it needs. One thing Beth explains is how to ring 1 bead with a circle of smaller ones and how to do that regardless of the size of the center bead. Finally, don’t miss page 86, where Beth shows examples of circles formed from coils of beads. She links a few of these.
With the right colors, these would be dramatic, one of a kind pendants, or even a cool bracelet! They are on my “to do” list. If I don’t like them linked, I’ll have plenty of unique toggle clasp rounds for something else.
Now, I guess I need to find my really strong magnifying glasses so I can see these tiny buggers! As I recall my years crocheting, maintaining a steady, consistent tension is not always my strength, so I suspect that will be a struggle with this too. Don’t miss this book, I like it far more than
her first one and I liked that one too!
Seed Bead Stitching
Posted on: August 6, 2011
Kalmbach Books produced
this book and I scored a copy to review! This book includes an
introduction to basic seed bead information and stitches. It begins with a
concise overview of seed beads, as well as needles, thread conditioner, and
terms. Everyone will appreciate this; if you aren’t sure of the different
sizes and types of beads then it will be useful and informative. But you
won’t find that half of the book is consumed with descriptions and terminology,
instead of projects! Don’t assume this is a beginner book only! There are
innovative examples of ways to expand your use of a particular stitch into new creations.
It is almost impossible to count the number of projects in this book. A new stitch is introduced but then she immediately begins to show you several modifications you can do. By including so many examples of how to vary a stitch, how different the pattern will be by using different
sizes and styles of beads, this book gives you tons of information. Many other beading books tend to have a finite list of projects, with very few ways to vary the design. Not here! Beth is sharing her love of beads and stitch designs with all of us. Even if you know some basic stitches, you
will still be inspired with new designs by exploring all the examples included. Beth also tells how she managed to turn some “mistakes” into designs.
There were 2 additions I was pleased to find. First was how Beth included instructions on adding
drops to your designs, with top drilled beads and teardrop shapes. Second was a section on incorporating your own toggle clasp in your design. I think this really adds a cohesive finishing touch to a piece, since you aren’t adding an outside component at all. In fact, in one example, the toggle looks almost like a pendant! My favorite piece is called the “Nona Collar.” It has 5 rows of beads in different colors and shapes. The combinations of just this one pattern are absolutely endless in variations.
I was delighted at the quality and variety in this book. It’s slim with slightly under 100 pages
but you will find lots of information and designs packed inside. She is very free with her expertise and open with how to take any pattern in this book and alter it to fit your needs. I found her suggestion to work with a new pattern to make earrings a great idea; you can practice a pattern but work on smaller projects. While her initial stitch instructions begin with basic patterns all the extras included in this book take it far beyond the beginner stage. Seed Bead Stitching provides something for everyone who does or wants to work with seed bead stitching.
Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry
Posted on: July 29, 2011
Buy Your Own Copy Now!
Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry is a pulication from Kalmbach Books.
Cathy says the idea for Memory Jewelry came after she attended a
scrapbook event with a friend of hers. While there, working on a beading
project, she began to realize how these 2 creative endeavors were alike.
The result is over 25 jewelry creations that are inspired by special occasions, divided into 4 categories: milestones, hobbies, vacations and remembrances. Yes, we all know the endless varieties of charm bracelets and pictures in small frames on pendants and keychains. But Cathy’s projects go far beyond these common theme designs.
Be sure you check out the
decoupage bracelet; who thought of creating a way to remember wallpaper or paint. The handmade birthstone jewelry was very personal and I liked these much more than pre-made, pre-formed standard pieces. Yes, the mini memory book pendant was a bit too trite for me, but other scrapbookers might love the concept. Creating beads from special paper, such as gift wrap, or napkins from your baby shower was another neat idea others might like, but not exactly my cup of tea. Cathy describes a reward bracelet—-I liked using this for myself, adding a bead for each POUND lost on my diet, and maybe a slightly larger one for every 5 lbs.
Memory Keepsake
Cathy described a project to commemorate a child’s recital….while that didn’t particularly appeal to me, it did spark my own creativity, as I thought about how I could take a
program and use it to create a memory keepsake. I also like the pop culture project; I may have to use this to create a design for my best friend, who is dedicated movie buff. I could use movie posters and create a unique bracelet and earrings, with a slightly large set for a necklace. I think this could also work for books or album/CD covers. Oh, all of us remember our grade school art work being displayed on the refrigerator door (wonder what they ever did before refrigerators?). Cathy has a neat plan to co-op those into pendants.
I also enjoyed the photobook/memory book charm or bookmark project; there would be endless variations on just this project alone! An earlier project showing how to personalize a sports bag or backpack could also be a variation on this theme. Her map bead project was also very original and could be used in many ways to commemorate a trip.
Cathy has different projects with photos, and a piece of cloth from your baby blanket or christening dress. But my fav was one that created a keepsake memory box with an autograph, quote or even haiku, if you wish. And, the baby blanket scrap is just fun and funny.
Well I do hope I didn’t spoil all your fun…..if you like creating personal keepsakes, or are a scrapbooker looking to “branch out” this book may be a great place to start. I think these projects would be wonderful to create personalized gifts. College girls, or your younger daughters might enjoy this to create thoughtful gifts that would be cherished but not expensive.
If you have made a piece of jewelry using Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry as your muse, post a comment and share with us!
Kalmbach Books provided the author with a copy of Hip Handmade Memory Jewelry for this review.
Endless Sparkle
Posted on: July 19, 2011
- In: Beading | Reviews
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- Buy Now!
Endless Sparkle, by Aimee Carpenter, is a great resource if you are looking for wonderful ideas on how to add more brilliance to your designs!
Simply Pearls, Pearl Drop Earrings, Linked Bracelet, Drop Pendant, Two-drop Earrings, Stacked Earrings,
Crystal Link Bracelet, Combination Earrings, Gypsy Earrings, Chandelier Necklace, Stacked Dangles, Sparkling Chandeliers, Shimmering Headband, Peyote Pendant, Elegant Choker, and Centerpiece Ring.
From Bead & Button magazine
If you are a beader and work with any kind of stitch, add peyote to your skillset with this great book! It shows you even and odd peyote, circular, tubular and how to make a beaded bezel to frame a cabochon. I was amazed at the multitude of designs you can accomplish with just this one stitch and it’s easy variations. Of course, you can design hundreds of types of beaded beads, but you can also create ruffles. Twists and turns and waves make peyote stitch almost endless in its possibilities!
The most creative design shows you how to work peyote around a wavy, “bendy” straw! How unusual is that! But the result is simply stunning. Feather weight, with a set of stones forming a dripping pendant, this will take your breath away! The boldest design is an eye-catching Jewel-Box Bracelet. This creates beaded bezels around glittering Swarovski crystals. A series of these around your wrist and it will look like a million! I also loved the designs that show you how to make open beaded rings. These can be dimensional chain-links, or open texture links in your design!
With the unending colors and finishes of seed beads, the designs in this book could keep you busy for years to come! If you make any design from one of the projects in this book, leave a comment and let us know! If you have a picture on line, we’d love to see it! Follow my blog to read about other jewelry project books and jewelry making!
Creative Beading Vol. 6
Posted on: June 30, 2011
Projects from Bead & Button magazine
If you want the best projects from an entire year of Bead&Button magazines, this is the book to get! Volume 6 has 77 stunning projects divided into 3 sections: stitching, wirework and miscellaneous.
There is a great steampunk design, with lots of character, by Diane Hyde. I can think of many many ways to personalize it for someone, using the suggestions they give and then adding personal touches. Instead of just 1 pendant on a chain, they added in bits and pieces as links, giving it individuality and lots of character and texture. The bicycle chain bracelet by Luan Carnevale is another favorite. It uses chain links and round glass donuts of approximately the same size to create a 3 layer bracelet. By alternating colors of the round donuts, you can mix and match to every possible outfit and occasion. Other great chain link designs follow that one, one by Kathy Petersen adn Susan Matych-Hager that teaches you Byzantine weave, and then a design by Wendy Hunt. This design uses a series of links to actually create a focal point by itself or with gemstones between then.
If you want to start wirework with some simple projects so you can get to know how wire turns, twists and forms, try Twisted Sisters by Kimberly Berlin. This one pattern shows you three variations of earings, using round beads and 18 g round wire. I also loved the Paisley Perfection earrings, a creation from Sonia Kumar. If you ever wondered how to make an adjustable ring, try Following The Curve by Lilian Chen. It uses only 2 beads. Stunningly simple, yet offering literally hundreds of variations, this can be a quick design with lots of potential. The Keshi Cuff shows you how to make a freeform bracelet frame then literally cover it with beads. The Keshi Cuff is a design by Candice Sexton.
But the most stunning design is Maria Kirk’s Autumn Garland. On cord, this has lucite flowers and leaves in fall oranges and browns, forming a wreath of fall flowers to adorn your throat. Light, simple, this has the potential of a show-stopper. You are sure to get compliments every time you wear it!
I love the Creative Beading books. They pull the best designs from a year’s worth of magazines and bundle them into 1 book for your library!
If you make something from one of the projects in this book be sure to post a comment and let everyone know!
Spotlight On Wire by Melissa Cable
Posted on: June 25, 2011
One of my favorite things to do is review new jewelry and beading books! I love to collect books, tutorials and more. The best part may be finding a shipping carton with a book or two inside, waiting to be opened. I never know exactly what I will find inside, but I do know there will ALWAYS be some fantastic designs!
by Melissa Cable, published by Kalmbach Books
Spotlight on Wire by Melissa Cable is a great addition to my library! The designs inside are great for beginner and intermediate designers. It’s perfect for anyone wanting to learn more about working with wire. But this isn’t your typical wire-wrapping book! These projects show how to twist, folder, hammer and even weave wire and metal sheet. A great example of woven strips of sheet metal is the pendant right on the front cover. At the beginning of each chaper, Melissa includes a section on Tools and a second section on Tips and Techniques.
Several projects show you how to “dress up” a simple stone to create a fancy pendant. I love the Hanging Gardens pendant, where Melissa shows you how to create a wire cone. From that you can dangle a cluster of beads. Dreaming of Pumpkins creates a wire “cage” with a secret item inside. It could be any bead you like, a small heart-shaped, one, perhaps a small bird-shaped bead, or select your own. The Chapter on corrugated wire is my favorite. I love the wire and the sheet metal projects in this section. Among teh last projects are fantastic cuff bracelets. One uses wire to frame lovely lampwork beads, and the second creates a great freeform wire frame to which you can attach beads and trinkets galore! Punk it out, go goth black with gunmetal colored wire, or grab some artistic wire and color-coordinate your design!
Whatever your interest in working with wire or sheet metal, this book will give you some terrific starting points. Let your creativity wander and turn these projects into your own fantastic designs! You don’t need a torch and solder to complete these projects. Melissa also includes several inexpensive “alternate” tools that will give you great results without costing a fortune. Do you know what can be an alternate to a rolling mill? Or to a specialized metal corrugator? Re-use that old bead loom with wire to create a cuff bracelet. Learn tricks, and read Melissa’s tips and recommendations, then strike out and design!
If you make anything from this book, please post a comment and a link to the item so we can all share! Follow my blog for many more book reviews and recommendations for the best projects!!
Kalmbach Books provided the author with a free copy of Spotlight on Wire. No review expectation or remuneration was expected from this copy.
Simply Stylish Chain & Metal Jewelry
ISBN: 987-0-87116-297-7 Publisher: Kalmbach Publishing Co
I enjoy the timeliness and current styles always contained in Kalmbach jewelry publications. This one is no different. Metal is making a fantastic comeback in jewelry designs, especially alternatives to gold and silver. These designs can be formed in various metals, as long as you find compatible sizes and hardness. You can make very wearable, lovely pieces in copper, brass, or artistic wire while you work out the design and gain skills, THEN turn to your top of the line silver and gold. I do understand the gauges (higher the #, thinner the wire), but hard, half-hard, and dead soft still escape me at times. Luckily for all of us, Chain and Metal Jewelry takes you directly to wire projects and tells you what you need in terms of wire or links/jump rings.
Chain and Metal Jewelry includes examples of different links, finishes, and sizes of wire/links. I simply love the depth it seems to bring to projects, and how different each can look by simply varying a wire gauge or finish! You could literally make some of these 20 times and NEVER repeat a design. The variations of designs in Chain and Metal Jewelry allow you to include and emphasize a vintage look, if you want that in your creation.
I favor bolder, larger designs, and there are some that really caught my eye. Trinkets of the Deep on page 16 show how to blend a rather simple large link chain with bold gemstone links to draw the eye to the depth of the piece. I seem to forget the beauty of oxidized chain when you want a vintage, by-gone era look to your design. So I was pleasantly surprised at the ways they weave simple oxidation options into the designs. Another design demonstrates creating a copper patina, making an instant heirloom.
It always seems hard to create a mix/matched piece with 1 strand of gemstones and 1 in chain and gemstone mix, but they have a two-tiered design that shows you how to mix these in a powerful blend. For those small leftover lengths of chain, there are lots of design suggestions for bracelets and earrings. Don’t think you have to relegate small lengths to only necklace extensions; create stunning designs. I’ve never worked with paisley chain, but don’t miss it in the bracelet, very unique and lovely. I really like the multi chain style earring designs, some including washers for a rustic, home grown look.
Go through some family costume pieces you may have and combine the stones with some of these designs. It will update them to today and bring them out of the jewelry box or bag and into your collection you can wear anytime! Don’t pass on this design magazine, there are great ideas to incorporate more metal into your designs in artistically significant ways, kicking your designs up in complexity!
Kalmbach Books provided the author with a free copy of Simply Stylish Chain and Metal Jewelry. No remuneration or review details was a part of thsi agreement.
- In: Artbeads | Kalmbach Books
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Kalmbach Books
Peggy Krzyzewski and Christine Hansen define an art charm as “a tiny handmade work of art with a jump ring on it for attaching to something.” Art charms, by definition, are small, up to a max of 4 inches (on a charm necklace, for example). Art charms amaze me. How people can look at something and “see” how they would use it in an art form, when all I see is “stuff.” But Peggy and Christine, in the 36 projects in this book, gave me plenty of examples of seeing beyond a miscellaneous collection to design a lovely jewelry project.
I love the idea of themed jewelry, when it’s still quality and creative. Art charms provide exactly that! The many different types of objects were a pleasant surprise. They have sections for paper, polymer clay, plastic, wood, fiber, resin, metal, glass and found objects. Then, there is 1 more section called “Putting it All Together” that shows different ways to create jewelry to show off your new creations. You can tell that the authors put a great deal of time and thought into the creation of these projects and the “how-to” details. I enjoyed the enthusiasm of the authors when they talked about art charms, and their discussion of charm swaps, often available online. They recommend contacting someone and exchanging a swap one-on-one, so you can get some feedback on your creations.
Well, I did go through the book, of course, and found some great how-tos for several types of media. There are some really cool black and white clay beads, in odd shapes. My very favorite project uses aquarium tubing to create what could be really stunning beads/pendants! (no I’m not telling their secret, you’ll have to get the book). The wood and fiber section had some cool projects, but the resin section drew me in. I’ve made resin beads once and really want to figure out how to create more artistic designs. One of my favorites is a play on steampunk, using old watch faces as the resin mold. The glass section was one I read a little closer, because that is something else I want to try. My favorite design in the last section is one called a Princess Necklace. I like this because it truly highlights and showcases each charm indivdually, instead of a charm bracelet where they can get lost in the mix. I generally don’t think of working in small media and especially not using shrinky dink plastic!
But not only do the authors have some really tempting projects in this book, but they also taught me a great deal about the level of detail, planning and thought that goes into each miniature art work piece. I have a new found appreciation for this art form and for what swappers go through when they participate in a swap. Learn a new art form, be creative on a small level, or just expand your thinking to include more “treasures” with this Art Charms & Jewelry. There are countless number of projects you could do with a group of girls, so they make charms that they trade and create their own charm bracelet, starting with very artistic, personal mementos instead of a stamped pewter charm.
Kalmbach Books provided the author with a review copy of Art Charms & Jewelry. No remuneration or expectation regarding this review was discussed.
Born To Be Worn by S & T Creations 
