Customer Reviews

Hardwear: Jewelry from a Toolbox

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Hanna Rogge is the Anni Albers* of the 21st century! Clear off your dining table, put on a good CD and prepare yourself for a day of fun making these awesome necklaces, bracelets and belts. And I do mean ONE DAY because each project is so EASY! I guarantee that after reading this book, you will never look at the hardware store in the same way again.

The book excels on many levels. First, the creativity and originality of the designs: some items have an obvious "hardware store" industrial look, but others, like the hex-nut necklace (featured on the book's cover), look like an expensive piece you may have purchased from a good shop. I get many compliments on it. Second, the thriftiness of the book impressed me. Below are some rundowns of time and cost spent to make the pieces. Third, the graphic design of the book is crystal clear and communicates exactly how to assemble the jewelry. I would say an elementary school child could follow the directions (this is both a compliment on the book design as well as the jewelry pieces themselves). The illustrations are simple to follow and each project is concisely explained. Fourth, the photography is excellent. There are numerous photos of each piece being worn by actual people so you can see what the end product should look like. All my pieces looked exactly like the picture.

But it's true that this book is a launching pad for ideas! Once you see how easy and fun it is to make the necklaces, bracelets, etc., you will start making up designs of your own. Further, the glossary included in "Hardwear" is helpful for those not acquainted with certain materials and tells you where in the store to find them. I had fun visiting Home Depot and Michael's Crafts and picking out all the cord, fasteners, jump rings, etc. Everything called for in the book was easy to find.

Below is the time/expense to make a few of the projects from the book (which has a total of 24 projects). Also, I'll add that part of the fun of this jewelry is that you put it on right after you make it and can wear it instantly! No waiting for glue to dry, etc.

Hex-Nut Necklace: 40 minutes, $1.19

O-Ring Bracelet: 5 minutes, $2.82

Wide S-Hook Bracelet: 60 minutes, $2.20

Washer Cuff: 40 minutes, $0.72

Metal Circles Necklace: 25 minutes, $2.30

Double Chain Necklace: 25 minutes, $4.60

Buy this book is you are into NOT SPENDING too much money, LOOKING GOOD in hot, original jewelry and LIKE CRAFTING delicately with needle-nose pliers, twisting jump rings and sewing washers onto rubber sheeting.

*Anni Albers was a Bauhaus artist famous for her textile designs who in 1941 made jewelry from the hardware story with drains, paperclips, hairpins and washers. See the book "Josef + Anni Albers: Designs for Living".

Gave this book to my teenage cousin, she can't stop talking about it... I've seen most of the finished pieces and they're all very slick and urban - hardware-chic?. The book itself if very well designed, with lots of attention to detail.

I love this book. The pieces are simple but funky. They are generally easy to make & made with easy to find and inexpensive supplies you can find in most hardware stores. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. There's even a great glossary in the back that explains each of the hardware items used in the pieces in the book. Most of all, it will inspire you to think of what else you can do with hardware. I found myself roaming NYC going from one hardware store to another. Oh for a Home Depot.

Just what I need yet another excuse to go to the Home Depot. I loved this well designed book. The projects are beautifully laid out and the illustrations make it very clear how to construct each piece. I give the book two very big and enthusiastic thumbs way up!

This book is great because the designs are simple enough to do with kids, but they can look really designer and classy. A gorgeous book. I highly recommend it!

Fun, straight forward jewelry. Not what you would find every day. Perhaps you wouldn't want to. For the funky at heart....there is some neat stuff here, and lots of ideas you could always take to the next level. I really like the easy directions that ANYONE could follow, and ease of explanation of supply purchasing.

This is a delightful and creative book. With projects ranging from elegant to funky, Hannah Rogge shows how to create great jewelry on the cheap. My very favorite of her projects are the Washer Chain Earrings and the Hexagon Necklace. I also loved the Elegant Nut Necklace. Younger readers will enjoy the Rubber Band Earrings and the Electrical Tape Wristband (they didn't do much for me personally, though). Who knew going to the hardware store could be so much fun?

I got Hannah Rogge's book on a whim a few weeks ago from the Hamilton Bookseller Magazine. I don't think that I have ever spent a better two dollars and fifty cents. A "how-to" book, it teaches the art of jewelry making, but from a unique perspective. Unlike other jewelry books, you don't need to have an intricate knowledge of how to do beading or wire working. Instead, every single design in this books requires a trip to the hardware store and some time.

I think my favorite design in this book is a bracelet made of s-hooks and copper wire holding them together. It's an incredibly simple idea, but looks so very interesting. While I haven't tried making it yet, I do plan on doing some creating as soon as possible. Other designs include a bracelet made of rubber sheeting with washers sewn onto it, a necklace made of nuts in a hexagonal pattern, a chain made of jump rings and plastic tubing that ends up looking like chain mail, even earrings and a belt!

A rope and copper wire bracelet is another favorite of mine, something I plan to pick up the materials for at the local hardware store tomorrow and try to make it.

On top of being an excellent source for patters, it is also a wonderful place to jump start your own creativity in order to see other things you might make! Already, I can see that trips to Lowes and Home Depot promise to be more interesting when I think of how I might use tools and hardware in out-of-the-box ways.

It gives a whole new meaning to "hardwear"

I give this book a solid four out of five stars. There are some patterns that I don't think anyone would ever want to make or wear (a barrette made out of hinges? I can only imagine the pain of long hair stuck in that....), but most are good, or at least interesting ideas. If you've ever wanted to try your hand at making jewelry, here's your place to start.

I love this book! Who would think that you could do this with hardware?

I LOVE jewelry & easy little creative projects and I love this book. I wear the washer-earrings all the time & always get compliments on them! The designs are really good. These are 'urban chic' but have good, clean lines so they're elegant as well. People always ask me where I get these pieces - they're suprised to find out they can *make* them! I'd recommend this; it makes a good gift too.