Junk to Jewelry: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using Found Objects in Jewelry You Can Actually Wear (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

What do a dresser pull, a bike chain, and a cloth measuring tape have in common? Don’t be silly. They all can be used to make wonderful, wearable jewelry. Junk to Jewelry presents more than 30 projects that use items from the hardware store, Granny’s treasure box, the sewing basket, the junk drawer, and the tackle box to create amazing jewelry. A basics section features a tools and materials glossary, and step-by-step photos of jewelry-making techniques. Then it’s time for the charming, unusual projects, all shown in full color with step-by-step instructions. A stunning gallery section provides extra inspiration, and a detailed resource list helps readers find materials they don’t have lying around the house. Be a modern-day alchemist--turn junk into jewelry!

About the Author

Brenda Schweder is a junquess extraordinaire. Collector of all things intriguing, she co-authors BeadStyle magazine’s Fashion Forecast column and is a frequent project contributor to that magazine. Visit her on the web at www.BrendaSchweder.com. Brenda lives in Waukesha, Wisconsin.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: Kalmbach (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871162482
• ISBN-13: 978-0871162489
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #111,262 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From J. Kaye's Book Blog, January 31, 2008

By	J. Kaye Oldner (http://j-kaye-book-blog.blogspot.com/) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

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.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good book with a few dud projects, April 15, 2008

By	A. Brown (Tennessee) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If you love junkin' and jewelry making, you have to get this book!, October 12, 2008

By	Gayla Crosby "Gayla Crosby" (Blackshear, GA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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