Amulets and Talismans: Simple Techniques for Creating Meaningful Jewelry [Paperback]

Robert Dancik (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 4, 2009

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.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Robert Dancik holds a master's degree in sculpture and a bachelor's degree in fine art. He has formally taught art to students of all ages, from kindergarten to graduate school, for more than 30 years. He currently exhibits his jewelry and sculptures in museums and galleries across the United States, Europe and Japan, and teaches workshops at art centers and event venues across the country and abroad. In addition, Robert has contributed work to a number of other jewelry books.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books; 1 edition (August 4, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1600611613
• ISBN-13: 978-1600611612
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #115,340 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent mixed media jewelry book, July 20, 2009

By 

suzanimetalarts - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amulets and Talismans: Simple Techniques for Creating Meaningful Jewelry (Paperback)

I just received this book and after reading it in a weekend, had to leave a review. This book is a great text on mixed media jewelry fabrication. The book discusses concrete and faux bone (along with other interesting materials)as items that can be used in fabricating interesting, one of a kind jewelry. The projects are interesting and can be great places to start with your own designs. This book will be one of my favorites, along with Semiprecious Salvage and Altered Curiousities. If liked those books, you will probably like this one as well. All cold connections and the usual jewelry tools are all that you need. Robert also has a Faux Bone instructional video from CCP Videos. A great companion to the book.

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beyond my expectations!, July 13, 2009

By 

ewe-mexico "Susan" (Taos, NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amulets and Talismans: Simple Techniques for Creating Meaningful Jewelry (Paperback)

Amulets and Talismans: Simple Techniques for Creating Meaningful Jewelry
After anxiously awaiting this book's publication, I haven't been able to stop saying "WOW" as I thumb my way through it. Robert is a terrific, inspiring teacher, (as well as all around nice guy!) and having this book is like having notes and images from the class. The first half of the book lays the ground work for the techniques and materials covered in the book. The second half contain the projects - each one more intriguing than the last! As a book jumkie, I often get a book, devour it and set it aside. With Robert's book, I can't wait to get started trying some of the new materials (concrete and Faux Bone) and projects!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Decades of knowledge packed into one fabulous book, July 28, 2009

By 

Ronna Sarvas Weltman - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amulets and Talismans: Simple Techniques for Creating Meaningful Jewelry (Paperback)

This is a fabulous book for anyone looking for guidance in creating wearable art. Not only does Dancik clearly articulate how to work with non-traditional materials, but his careful and thorough written and illustrated instruction gently guides readers through each process. Lots of good information combined with lots of eye candy for inspiration. The projects are fabulous. I plan to bring this book along when I teach as a resource for my students. It's that good.