Sunday 6 April 2014

Craft Book Review - Spring on my wrist

The lovely folk at GMC sent me another book to review.  If you usually click away from my reviews, I do always make something from the book, there are photos further down.

The book this time was Jewelry For All Seasons.  Yep, Jewellery is spelt wrong...
Before we go any further, the disclaimers.  I was sent the book for free to review but I was not told what to say and all opinions are 100% my own.  I didn't receive any monetary compensation.  Links in this post, as with all my book posts, are affiliated.  If you click over and buy something, I get a few pence towards an Amazon voucher.  




This book is beautiful.  I have flicked through it countless times already as the photography is gorgeous and the projects are inspirational.  This is a bit of a first for me as I don't usually make projects from jewellery making book, other than beadweaving and polymer clay that is.



At the start, there is the usual equipment and techniques sections, covering all kinds of materials you can use to make jewellery and giving some basic techniques for wrapped loops and other essential components.  Then it goes a bit further and shows you how to make your own clasps and shows the methods for working with shrink plastic, moulds and casts, resins and paints.  Some great information there, a lot of it new to me.

The book is split into 4 sections, one for each season, and each season begins with an inspiration double-spread like the one above.  


There are 24 projects, each with a photographic step by step.  Only one or two projects are earrings which is great for a jewellery book as obviously earrings are quicker and easier projects to include (and of course earrings freak me out).



When it came to choosing what I would make, it was a little difficult as I didn't have all the materials required to make a full project and I wasn't willing to go shopping as I have enough jewellery making supplies to kit out most of Nottingham in accessories.  Instead, I chose to make the bracelet structure from the project above, and free-style the decoration, heavily inspired by the book.



This project in particular provided a lot of inspiration, although it looks nothing like my finished piece.




I really wish I'd taken a photo of the bare bracelet structure for you as it was a new-to-me technique and it's pretty much covered up in all these photos!  However, it was getting towards evening and I was really unwilling to stop and leave it until after the weekend!


I threaded loads of these lucite flowers onto headpins, held in place with a seed bead for the small ones, or a seed bead and a larger bead for the larger flowers.  I then added some of the seed beads to wire, threaded on the flowers on their wrapped loops and wrapped and wrapped and wrapped!  Some areas are thicker than others!



As you can see, I went for a rainbow effect.  And we had some sunshine last weekend when I took these photos!  The bracelet was made to 8" as directed, with the ends of the wire coiled back.  My wrist is tiny.  Did I scale the bracelet down?  No.  No I didn't.  This meant that when I added the clasp and loop, it was enormous.  I had to remove the loop, attempt to open the wrapped loop I'd made and use that as the loop to hook the clasp through.  Not my best work.



I love that clasp though.  It was SO easy to make, I honestly don't know why I haven't made my own clasps before.



I've worn it out in public already.  It is quite big and I wasn't sure if I could pull it off, but I enjoyed looking at it and that's all that counts.  Some of the wires I used to wrap it jabbed me though, I should have taken more care tucking them in.



Next up I want to have a go at something based on this lovely wintry necklace:




Book details:
  • Paperback: 168 pages
  • Publisher: Gmc (26 Feb 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1861089562
  • ISBN-13: 978-1861089564
  • RRP: £14.99

Disclaimer:

I was given a review copy of the book by GMC however this review and all opinions are 100% my own, I was not told what to say.  Amazon links are affiliate links.




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8 comments:

JoJo said...

Your bracelet is lovely. I love those flowers you used.

Beti Horvath said...

He he. I used to think people who spell "jewellry" with two ll's were wrong. Turns out we are just on opposite sides of the Atlantic! You created a lovely bracelet! Looks like a good was to use some of those Lucite flowers I bought on sale.

Sarah in Stitches said...

Beautiful bracelet! That's actually how I spell jewelry - didn't realize it was another British/American difference! :D

Rachel said...

Good to know how much fun you had wearing it, as well!

Jo Ferguson said...

I love your book reviews. I buy my books online so I rely on reviews, like this, to help me decide if I'm interested. The bracelet is gorgeous. It's the perfect colours for a spring day.

Celtic Thistle said...

Lovely bracelet! The necklace looks stunning too,hope you have a go at that soon.

KellyS said...

I love this bracelet! Absolutely love it!!! Great job!

KellyS said...

I think Google lost my last comment. I love this bracelet! Love love love it! Great job!