Customer Reviews

Custom Cool Jewelry

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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!

I bought this book after a quick glance at the cover in the book store. The ideas are great and as someone who already makes jewelry I found it inspirational. As another reader stated not a great book instructionally and it assumes the buyer knows a certain amout about tools and techniques. Even the index of materials/techniques in the back - often items people may not be familiar with - are listed as " picture not shown". Book does have a nice list of suppliers in the back. I would recommend this book just for the pictures !

At first I was a bit hesitant as to whether or not I liked this book when I first scanned through it when it arrived on my doorstep. Now after more careful review, I find that I do like it for these reasons: The more extensive coverage of pendants and design of them. Pendants are often the stimulus in putting the necklace together - at least for me it is - for it helps me to determine the beads to use (from seed, glass, stone, other; as well as the stringing method). Pendant designs in this book give you a great starting point in going your own way using the bits of info Ms. Barta provides. Secondly, I really like that there is NO step-by-step instructions - just a few to get you on your way to design your own work. I am soooooooooooo tired of seeing how to make a basic loop (even though there is a tiny section covering this at the end of the book - and it only takes a few pages - thus subjecting this book into the intermediate or above jewelry designer). Third - I found that my own trend to combining elements to make an interesting pendant is repeated here and thus giving me more room to try other objects as this author has shown. Freedom in design - my cup-o'-tea!!

Wish there was more info on making clasps and charms - but then again, the publisher - Interweave Press - is notorious for limiting its books to 145 pages or less. Why? I don't know, but I think this inhibits the authors from really putting in more information that is desirable to their readers. Ms. Barta obviously has a lot of cool ideas and expansion on these (e.g. clasps) would have been a great addition to this book.

So for the pendants alone - a solid 4 stars; the selected clasps and charms - 3 stars; limited pages - 1. I know if I averaged these out it wouldn't come out to the 4 star rating, but as I said, the pendants are the key to many necklace designs. I also feel that all of the jewelry shown in this book is definitely wearable by many - why do I say this? Well, I am a bit on the conservative side due to my customer base. My customers and my friends do not want gaudy, wild fringe, irregular & often bizarre objects in their jewelry, particularly those that work in various office or businesses. Those books are for dedicated to those in the artist groups where almost anything goes - and for even me when I am in the mood and know I can get away with wearing such creations. However, for the most part, I receive compliments (as well as my customers) on the designs that do not overwhelm and even have a bit of whimsy in the pendant or charms. And this book does this type of balance very well. Good work Ms. Barta - and try to buck the system and produce a book with more than 145 pages! (HINT hint - Interweave Press!!!!)

It's no accident that Barta, Melinda's last name, contains the word ART. This chic yet accessible jewelry making book, Custom Cool Jewelry, is extremely artistic in sensibility...to the point that I (and any reader!) would love to own all of these fantastic pieces which Melinda has designed. They are up to date, or vintage, or dressy, or funky, or fascinating, or full of curious bits and pieces which have been pulled together by the author to make delicious sense, and they are one of a kind in style. That is why this book is called Custom Cool Jewelry. Ultimately, the reader is given the incentive viewing this lovely book with its solid teaching technique to go out and start making thoughtful and personal jewelry of her own.


As, at the moment, there is little interest in flashing "cookie cutter" styles, as far as jewelry is concerned, and most people who love jewelry like to look special and stand out from the crowd, this book is bound to be a huge hit. It brings artisan crafted jewelry to a fine point, and the author deftly guides you through the creation of unique pendants, charms, clasps, and finished projects. I have to stop right here and interrupt myself to say that my favorite technique in the book is the glass etching pendant technique. I love it, I love it, I love it! This technique is worth the price of the book alone! I do not think I am the only one who will find herself drawn to the mystique of etched pendants and beads, because of the way the author teaches how to create them.


But don't stop there! That's just the beginning! She has lockets with tiny and fascinating contents inside to die for, mixed media charms using a variety of glazes so that you can learn, as you make something fabulous, and simpler creations, too. Framed collage pendants with appealing images of stars, butterflies and angels...whatever is your fancy can be found in this book. Better yet, you can design it, because Barta shows you how!




Melinda Barta also covers polymer clay, and takes vintage jewelry and shows you how to turn it hip and update it. She teaches straight techniques, like lasso loops, and distressing, and how to end a jewelry piece with a set of orbital rings of your own making and some fabric or a hook. She shows you how to make a needle and thread mesh beaded clasp. I liked that demonstration a lot!




She also works with plastic, crystals, cabochons, and wire. She embosses and stamps! It is like a mini crash course in many techniques. Everything she makes is appealing.




The six finished projects presented at the end of the book, which utilize many of her techniques, are stunning. My favorite of those six? The "Floral Romance Necklace". It is light and airy. She has broken up the chain here and there with some beads to let it breathe, and the pendant she chose to finish it with, white with a black imprint, is something you can teach yourself to make earlier in the book. A true delight to see, and, I imagine, to wear.




Question: Would this be the very first book I would buy if I were just starting out to make jewelry?




Answer: Ummm, maybe; maybe not. Custom Cool Jewelry might seem overwhelming; it has so many types of jewelry making in it. In my opinion, it might be a great gift for intermediates and up. However, do not let that stop you from buying this fab book for yourself if you are new to jewelry making and jewelry design. Just save it, studying it off and on, for when you are slightly more adept! The learning curve for motivated jewelry artists is very fast. And this book WILL motivate and inspire you! Things will "fall into place", due to this book.




Additionally, there are some easier projects in the book which you can do right away if you wish, or even some bits of projects you can practice your skills on. I repeat, the incentive, because the projects are so beautiful, is very high, so you WILL want to learn.


The author's sense of design is unerring and delightful. Custom Cool Jewelry is a great book to own and use as a reference for your own custom jewelry!

Just looking at the cover intrigued me to discover what's inside Melinda's new book. I love being able to create jewelry out of unusual things.

She takes you through all of the many techniques used in making custom cool jewelry. She cleverly divided the book into four information packed sections.

The first section is, "Pendants". She goes through eighteen different techniques to make some really beautiful pieces. The etch-a-bead is a simple technique that brings a striking element to your jewelry that just makes it pop. You don't need a lot of things for this either. And the results are beautiful. If you have some cute little stickers and some etching cream, you're pretty much good to go. Another one I liked was the Patchwork Pendants. They are made of cloth craps, ribbon, rickrack, and felt pieces. And you use ink stamps and embroidery floss, add a jump ring and.....wa-la, you've got a pendant.

The ideas Melinda has on cabochon pendants have an expensive look but, with her easy to follow directions and beautiful photos, you will be making quality pendants in no time yourself.

The second section of custom cool jewelry is charms. I just love charms! These charms are made of bead caps, cones, and common findings, used in nontraditional ways. She gives you ideas that I bet you've never thought of. Little open blossoms, they are really cute. Using only a couple 11 size seed beads, filigree flower bead caps and head pins. Another really easy one she tells about is the soft charms. All they are, are pliable fabric circles with an eyelet punched in the middle. But with using vintage and patterned material, makes them a nice touch.

The third section of Miranda's book is, "Clasps". Many beautiful clasps of different styles. From rings to charmed chains, to lasso loops and more as well. Which are all very inspiring. I love the charmed chains.

Miranda shows how to make your own hammered hook-and-eye clasps. Her instructions for these are easy to follow.

In the last part of her book she has finished projects along with instructions and brilliant photos to go along with them. I absolutely loved the Santa Fe necklace!

If you are a beginner and new to different aspects of jewelry making,she has a well organized section in the back going through everything from, what bead types were used, their shapes and names, wire size and gauge, various types of findings and tools you will use for the projects.

And a how-to section on simple wire techniques along with diagrams.

I recommend this book to beginners as well as novice beaders. It is sure to inspire something in all of us.

It's all about the pendant in Melinda's book and that's a good thing. You'll be able to create mixed media necklaces with unique one of a kind pendants. There are plenty of options for the reader with over 200 pendants, charms and clasps. The book has four chapters: pendants, charms, clasps and finished projects. The reader learns how to etch, use shrink plastic, cabachons, tins and more. Small pendants are really charms which you'll learn to create in chapter two.

I love the wide range of techniques included in Melinda's book. The reader is not confined to learning one technique and the jewelry one can make with just one technique. If you don't like shrink plastic, you can make an etched pendant. Mixed Media is very hot right now and Melinda's book holds all the DIY secrets you'll need to create jewelry that is a personal expression of you. Melinda has written one very cool book!

This book is worth adding to your jewelry making library. It is well written and beautifully photographed. The projects are clearly explained and I learned some new techniques, especially pertaining to bezels for pendants. Very nice.

I absolutely love this book. It covers so many forms of jewellery making. It gives step by step instructions, and also the different products that can be used for the same purpose, and the steps involved and results of each product. It really does take the scariness out of trying new techniques - it has so many processes that I have wanted to try, but have been a bit hesitant. This book makes it simple.