Custom Cool Jewelry [Paperback]

Melinda Barta (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 2008

Common craft supplies find new purpose with the stunning, nontraditional jewelry designs in this guidebook. Basics items such as embossing powder, collage paper, wire, fiber, and fabric can be used to create one-of-a-kind, boutique-style pieces with a personal twist. From romantic wire-worked dangles and simple polymer clay beads to fabric charms and baked bead collages, the unconventional use of basic supplies provide a wealth of new possibilities for crafters. Each project component is shown in a number of color and design variations, inspiring readers to create their own jewelry pieces, and sidebars share insider tips, basic stringing and wirework techniques, and project and shopping resources.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–This reference and idea book for serious jewelry makers or beaders is beautifully laid out and gorgeously photographed. The individual projects come with instructions, but not step-by-step pictures, and the assumption is that readers have some basic skills. In the end matter, Beading and Wireworking 101 includes descriptions of bead types, findings, stringing materials, and tools, and a short how-to section. There is a list by project of materials needed and another of sources (online and brick-and-mortar stores). Some projects require non-jewelry tools, such as an embossing heat gun. There are several interesting recycling ideas, such as using old candy or spice tins, pocket watches, lockets, or antique playing cards as the basis for new pieces. A few items use gemstones and silver, which may put them out of the price range of most teens. However, for crafters who want to create one-of-a-kind jewelry that reflects their own interests and sense of style, this is a great source of inspiration.–Sarah Flowers, Santa Clara County Library, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"Barta uses a combination of beads and found materials to create unique necklaces. . . . Would make a good addition to public libraries."  —Library Journal

"Ready for a recycler's dream? This book is certainly that. All kinds of unlikely items get pressed into service and come out looking different and interesting."  —myshelf.com

"A nice blend of mixed media and jewelry-making, using very easy-to-find materials. There are so many cool ideas in here."  —Craftypod.com

"Takes a crafting approach to make parts and pieces for your jewelry making needs. It is very refreshing to see a book for those of us with more experience."   —About.com Guide to Jewelry Making

"Packed with interesting projects for creating unique jewelry pieces."  —Detroit News

"I thoroughly enjoyed this book of 200 different pendants, charms, and clasps to create. The clasp section was especially exciting."  —Bead-Patterns the Magazine

"Melinda Barta came up with a brilliant idea for this fun book. Instead of spreading her many talents out too thinly, she concentrated on just three areas: pendants, charms, and clasps."  —Beading-Arts.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680741
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680746
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #234,786 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mix and Match Your Way to Custom Cool Jewelry!, September 4, 2008

By 

Erin L. Prais-hintz "Tesori Trovati Jewelry" (Stevens Point, WI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Custom Cool Jewelry (Paperback)

I pre-ordered this book and I am so glad I did! This will make for one of the more frequently referenced books in my ever growing jewelry designing library. The sheer volume of the ideas sounds overwhelming but really, there are simply several variations of each project that really help you see new ways to combine various materials to come up with something totally unique, customized and cool. Ms. Barta must have been really inspired to make so many different pieces, but what I like best is that most of these ideas take supplies that are not necessarily traditional jewelry making components, like shrink plastic, scrapbook rub-ons and fabric and turning them into the most unique components. I, too, make one-of-a-kind jewelry because my philosophy is that life is too short to wear department store jewelry or home party jewelry that you are likely to see walking down the street on someone else. You should be you and your accessories are like the icing on the cake - it should really set you apart. These designs are fresh and spunky and show an willingness to experiment that I love. This is a winner of a book and you won't be disappointed if you purchase it!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is my New Favorite Craft Book!, September 22, 2008

By 

Laura Carlson "Crazy Craft Lady" (Idaho, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Custom Cool Jewelry (Paperback)

I found this book at the local bookstore, and bought it immediately. It was worth every penny. There is inspiration for almost everyone...Beading, Polymer Clay, Shrink Art, Altered Art....Pop Art. I liked the fact that the book was not really geared toward a total beginner. As an experienced crafter, I prefer to not pay for half of a book full of basic how-to instructions with only a few projects shown. The photos are great, as are the projects themselves. The ideas are fresh and most are quite simple. On the down side, many of the projects featured require the purchase of specialty findings and and bits that could add up to quite a bit of cash. However, the resource guide in the back of the book lead me to many great sites for products I didn't even know I wanted.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering Design Ideas..., September 22, 2008

By 

Andrew Thornton (Bolivar, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Custom Cool Jewelry (Paperback)

If you're privy to the booming DIY scene, then you know that "custom" is the new IT word. Turn on any home improvement show or open any craft magazine and you'll see the word being used to denote something a step above the rest. Why? When Big Business cranks out carbon copy style after carbon copy style, individual and personalized imagery and objects are a welcome escape - a breath of fresh air in an often times stagnant pool of overly-recycled ideas and motifs.

Melinda Barta, the managing editor of Beadwork and Stringing magazines, is definitely in touch with the movement away from pre-fab "style" and towards a more distinct design - your own. With her new book from Interweave Press, Custom Cool Jewelry, she empowers the reader with over 200 projects. Not only does she give valuable tips on making your own pendants, charms, and clasps, but she presents several stringing ideas to use your newly created custom pieces. This book is LOADED with useful ideas that spark the imagination and provoke potential.

Melinda has a bevy of knowledge from working on various magazines (including PieceWork magazine), being author of Hip to Stitch: 20 Contemporary Projects Embellished with Thread, having a BFA in Fiber Arts from Colorado State University and being a teacher at schools across the country, including the prestigious Penland School of Crafts. She uses this versatile experience to enrich Custom Cool Jewelry and deliver projects from a truly unique perspective.

What I love best about Custom Cool Jewelry is that it is a spring board for endless creativity. It fundamentally teaches the reader how to open up their personal style toolbox and use what's inside. A lot of craft and jewelry books simply dole out formulas on how to duplicate someone else's ideas. Custom Cool Jewelry is different. It enables the reader to make stunning jewelry of high quality from their own well of inspiration, utilizing the creative and truly cool ideas offered up by Melinda Barta in this must-have book.

I definitely recommend this book!