Customer Reviews

Junk to Jewelry

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

 

 

When it comes to crafts books, I can't get enough. I love-love-love them. The bad part is I'm not as good as I'd like to be. The instructions have to be very simple for me to grasp and I need lots of pictures.

My daughter has taken after me in this and making jewelry is her thing. She's way better at it than I am. Because of her age, she needs easy-to-follow instructions. You could say we both do.

So when I had an opportunity to review "Junk to Jewelry: A Step-by-step Guide to Using Found Objects in Jewelry You Can Actually Wear" by Brenda Scheweder, I jumped at it. I was amazed to see how many photos with simple to follow instructions. Totally amazing! That's not all. The materials for the projects are from everyday items and easily obtainable. If you are just starting out, the book gives you a list of places to obtain these treasures. You'll feel as though you are embarking on the coolest of scavenger hunts.

It doesn't stop there. There's a section for the basics which will start you off with tools and materials needed to start you on this new adventure. The how-to make jewelry part of the book is broken down into twelve sections, starting with "From the Hardware Store" where you can make a spring clip charm holder necklace, bicycle chain necklace, and a pluming band bangle and rings. Teens will go crazy over these items!

Over all, there are 31 remarkable projects, plus additional information in the back. The eight-page gallery features stunning examples of artful jewelry to give you more ideas as well as resources available where you can find all sorts of doodads.

This book had some fun, interesting ideas, but I could have done without the silly 3rd grade rubber band necklace and paperclip necklace. I realize the intent of the projects is to stretch your imagination, and while some of them are a little too elementary or impractical, it did teach me to look at small objects in a very new light! When I got to the end I kind of wished there were more projects, but all in all, I did get some ideas out of this that I definitely would not have thought of on my own!

This resourceful book by Ms. Schweder makes me proud to admit I'm another Junque (as she spells it) Artist. She lets me know I'm not alone in picking up items from the side of the road or walking along looking down to see what treasure I can find. She begins by listing all the tools, glues & finishes, and other materials used to make the projects in the book along with pictures of them. Next, she proceeds to a section on techniques. Then it's time to begin creating some really awesome unique jewelry. There are 31 projects from a piece called Biker Chic(k), a necklace made of an old bicycle chain and bicone and pendant Swarorski crystals (it made me stop my husband from tossing out an old rusty bike until I could get the chain off) to a watch bracelet called the Stroke of Midnight. It made me envious when I saw the very same Cinderella watch I'd had as a girl and wished I still did. She says her watch no longer worked so she removed the band and replaced it with layers of different ribbons she stitched together. Then she stitched a variety of charms onto the new band. She also removes the watch crystal and put tiny crystals and charms inside and then glued it back on. Another wonderfully inventive piece is called Stay Connected, a necklace made from colorful data wire and air line tubing complete with wire flower charm. I remember using this versatile clear tubing back in the `80's and it makes me want to play with it again. If you're a junquer you can't be without this book. Even if you're not, you should give it a read, it might turn you into one.

Gayla Crosby

Easy to understand. Great photos of completed projects. Simple instructions. Materials list included with each project.

I just received Junk To Jewelry by Brenda Schweder and can't wait to try my hand at the watch ribbon bracelet on page 30 (my daughter has a busted watch that was once her deceased Nana's and she wears it!), the drawer pull charm bracelet on page 28, or the junk drawer miscellany watch on page 44. They are by far my three favorite jewelry pieces in the entire book.

WHAT A FUN BOOK.. I WILL BE USING IT AT HOME AS WELL AS IN THE CLASSROOM. I THINK EVERYONE INTERESTED IN JEWLERY CAN FIND SOMETHING THEY LIKE IN THIS FUN AND FUNKY BOOK..

I was so very disappointed in this book, from the name I thought it would have some great ideas. But, no such luck, it was lame. I mean a necklace from a bike chain, paper clips, or rubber bands I mean,please. My G-daughter even thought it was stupid.I don't think there was one good idea in the whole book. I have bought a lot junk to treasure books that I love, but I wish I had not bought this one, I totally wasted my money.
I had to give it one star to post this , or I would not have, it is not even worth one star.

after reading another review i ordered the book and man was i disappointed. There wasn't anything in this book i would make or be seen wearing.

As the previous reviewer stated, I too was disappointed in this book & for basically the same reasons.

This book seems to be directed at children because I doubt that an adult would ever want to wear the juvenile jewelry presented in this book. For example, a bracelet and necklace made out of rubber bands would be something a 5 year old child might wear. Or a necklace made by linking paperclips together looks like something a Kindergartener might bring home from school (& never wear). About the most creative piece in this entire book is the bracelet pictured on the front of this book, and even that piece would be too heavy and too square to wear on a wrist. I gave this book 2 stars rather than one, only because the photos are nicely taken...but that's about it.

PS: In my opinion, another book written by this same author (ie: Brenda Schweder) called "Vintage Redux: Remake Classic and Collectible Jewelry"...is so much better.

a bit over rated in that the best is on the cover and the other projects leave much to be desired.

A ok book in my opinion, some of the jewelry I not sure who would wear it.