Making Designer Mixed-Media and Memory Jewelry: Fun and Experimental Techniques and Materials for the Home Studio [Paperback]

Tammy Powley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2007

Using beads and other materials to make unique jewelry

Boutiques and department stores are filled with jewelry featuring charms, photos, fibers, shells, recycled materials, and other exciting embellishments. This book teaches home crafters new tricks and techniques to expand the styles of fashion jewelry they create with beads and other materials. Compiled by Tammy Powley, the book includes the work of many exciting jewelry artists who are breaking new ground using mixed media materials and techniques in their work, along with step-by-step instructions.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Tammy Powley is a writer and jewelry maker. She writes about arts and crafts in books and articles for print and digital media, and is the host of About.com's jewelry-making site. Tammy sells her work primarily through galleries and commissions. Tammy lives in Port St. Lucey, FL

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: Quarry Books (March 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592533140
• ISBN-13: 978-1592533145
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #672,137 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tammy Powley is a writer, designer, and teacher. She is the author of several jewelry books, including The Complete Photo Guide to Jewelry Making; Picture Yourself Creating Metal Clay Jewelr;, Jewelry and Beading Designs for Dummies; Making Mixed Media and Memory Jewelry; Making Designer Seed Bead, Stone, and Crystal Jewelry; and Making Designer Bead and Wire Jewelry. Besides print publications, Tammy is the Internet Guide for About.com's Jewelry Making website at http://jewelrymaking.about.com and writes her own weblog about crafting at http://www.tammypowley.com.

Tammy has studied a large variety of jewelry techniques, from beading to metalsmithing, and has worked extensively with glass, fibers, and paper art. After spending eight years on the art show circuit, she eventually turned to writing about art, though she continues to sell her work through special commissions and through her small web shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/tammypowley

Along with working as a freelance writer, Tammy is an Assistant Professor of English and teaches composition, literature, and technical communications. She resides in South Florida with her husband, Michael, and a house full of dogs and cats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars something for everybody, March 27, 2007

By 

Pamela J. Sanders "paperpam" (Bremerton, Wa. United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Designer Mixed-Media and Memory Jewelry: Fun and Experimental Techniques and Materials for the Home Studio (Paperback)

This book has something for everyone. I love the pieces that use recycled materials. Not everyone has gems and precious metals, but most of us have paper, old tins, and bits and pieces of grandmas jewelry. It makes you think 'out side the box'. You can make fun and funky jewelry out of most anything.

23 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just what it promises to be, March 22, 2007

By 

Cyndi Lavin (New England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Designer Mixed-Media and Memory Jewelry: Fun and Experimental Techniques and Materials for the Home Studio (Paperback)

From the introduction to the book:
"For this book, a number of mixed-media artists have come together to present an exhibition of distinctive jewelry designs, and they share their clever, yet surprisingly simple, methods. Developed as a portal to the world of mixed-medial jewelry, this is a guide for both beginning and more advanced artists."

And that's exactly what the book delivers. Projects that will tempt a beginner and expand the repertoire of the experienced. Beautiful pieces. Good basic information on many different techniques.

No book can be all things to all people. I am proud to have some of my work in this book, and I'm sorry that the previous reviewer would think that any of the projects are "tacky". I respectfully disagree, and no, I don't make a cent from the sale of the book :-)

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars craft & jewelry snob LOVES this book, March 28, 2007

By 

J. Bloom "so-charmed" (Takoma Park, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Making Designer Mixed-Media and Memory Jewelry: Fun and Experimental Techniques and Materials for the Home Studio (Paperback)

I have waited over a year for my contributor's copy of this book, and as a serious snob about crafts and jewelry making... I was prepared to be at least a little disappointed. WELL!! No disappointment here!! I was truly honored to be counted among the fantabulous creators of such gorgeous, fun, wild jewelry. From Ms. Naughty Secretary Club herself (Jennifer Perkins!), to loads of talented artists I'd never heard of... it's really just page after page of inspiration. Author, Tammy Powley, does a terrific job of setting up the basics of making mixed media wearables, with well-illustrated how-to's, and a bunch of projects with step by step instructions (try using these as a basis to make something uniquely yours). The gallery section has beautiful work minus the how-to's... let yourself get carried away by the fun these artists are having!! Contact info at the back lets you find more work by the folks featured in the book, or even send someone an email to say hi. What more can anyone ask? LOVE IT, and so-charmed-dot-com is PROUD to be included in this lovely book.