Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

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 :-)

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.

This is a book that I keep coming back to every time I am starting a new project. There are some really inspired uses for every day objects that are just stunning. It really makes it easy to see so many possibilities in the world for jewelry designers rather than relying on those items labeled as "jewelry components." My new favorite is the clear vinyl piping found in the hardware store! The fact that this is a compilation of a variety of artists styles and personalities is what makes this book really special. There was a general call out to artists to participate in submitting ideas for this book and the fact that they are of different styles and tastes is what is so great. This book promises fun and experimental techniques and you won't be disappointed. Great book to have for the jewelry designer or the mixed media artist alike.

Tammy Powley has done an incredible job of creating an easy to follow, step-by-step book that instucts the reader in the creation of mixed media jewelry making. The instuctions and examples were concise and easy to follow. The contributing artists supplied excellent examples of the genre. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in expanding their sphere of expertise in this type of jewelry making.

I have to say that I often LOVE Tammy Powley's jewelry designs and that many served as inspiration for my own work. HOWEVER, this book does not meet that quality. Yes, some of the ideas are innovative and not seen in other books. I enjoy seeing use of other objects (not just beads - but true mixed media) in some jewelry designs. I feel that the image of the necklace on the cover does not serve this book well, but I decided to give this book a try as I have several other Powley books. The necklace is too gaudy, as are a few of the others in the book - I doubt many of my customers or even myself would be willing to wear jewelry made in a format as these. Yet some of the pieces within the book are rather cool and are a good stepping stone to move into mixed media and memory jewelry art form. Unfortunately, some of the ideas/projects are truly so basic that I could easily give it to a pre-teen and she would love it. The first part of the book includes the basics of jewelry design - so often repeated in many of Powley's book and many others. I really wish the authors would state - "For review of the basics of jewelry design - knots, wirework (forming a loop), use of headpins, and my ugly favorite - How to Open and Close a Jumpring - to check out ______ book."

One of my favorite portions of the book are the "Designer's Tip" blocks scattered throughout the book. These provide info that can be applied to many works, not just the ones mentioned in the book.

In many ways, this book should be classified as "Charm Design" book as so many of the pieces fall into this category, even the pendants. And lastly, this book is overpriced for what it delivers. For only 128 pages, the $18 plus for this book through Amazon (yes it would be more if purchased from a local bookstore - what a shame), it does not compare to other jewelry design books of similar calibur. This book definitely falls into the category of Books for Beginners in Jewelry Design.

I have read all of Tammy Powley's jewelry books but this is by far the most interesting and colorful one yet. It made me want to get out my big box of leftover beads and rummage through my husband's tool box for those little items he's had tucked away "just in case". On most of the pages I saw jewelry made from items I've had hanging out in my kitchen "junk drawer" for years.
As usual, Tammy's pages of techniques are clear and well illustrated. The photography is exceptional.
All in all I think this is her best book yet, particularly for the jewelrymaker who wants to try "something different.
I'm looking forward to her next book.

Making Designer Mixed-Media and Memory Jewelry by Tammy Powley is a collection of fantastic mixed media projects by many artists. It is beautifully photographed and inspiring. Delightfully, you will not be overwhelmed by what this book has to offer you. Rather, it will encourage you in a easy to grasp manner how to go about creating your own exciting individual pieces.

Each piece in the book is made up of all sorts of fabulous materials. Each has all sorts of fun ideas backing up the inspiration for it. Many different artists contributed to this jewelry design book, and it is great to see fiber, as well as leather, brilliant plastic, funky lucite, and vintage faux gems recycled into new jewelry designs. Of course, there is even ephemera in this wonderful project book!

First comes an Introduction, followed by Section One: The Basics, which includes Chapter 1: containing such things as tools and materials, and Chapter 2, which is a collection of Mixed-Media Techniques. If you didn't think you knew anything before about connections, surface treatments, or knotting, you will now!

Then the fun really gets going! In Section II, we have the actual jewelry projects.

This is clearly and sensibly divided into chapters such as Chapter 3: Ephemera and Memory, Chapter 4: Collectibles and Souvenirs, Chapter 5: Found Objects and Natual Objects, and Chapter 6: Mixed-Media Jewelry Gallery.
I would like to say right here and now that I have never seen a book on this subject so nicely laid out. Finally someone (Tammy Powley!) took what can be a vast morass of confusion and neatened it up a bit. What a great relief and what fun to be able to view these terrific projects, understand their intent, and then using them as a guide, go out and make something similar! I loved Cyndi Lavin's "Timeless Treasure Pins" and Julia Andrus' "Memory Watch Case". Both totally different, both wonderful. The fabulous "Fire Screen Earrings" by D. Lynn Reed will rock your world. And those are just a few examples of gorgeous-ness YOU can make. And you will want to!

"Tibet", by Phaedra A Torres is the necklace on the cover. It is in the Gallery chapter here, and it certainly should be. I loved it!


This colorful, tasteful, educational book will be extremely useful to me. I needed more explanation of what mixed media is, and how you can divide it up (if you choose to) the way that the author did. I am delighted to own this beautiful and fun book. I will use many of the techniques in the upcoming months! Thank you, Tammy, great job!

Tammy never fails to write a great jewelry book. In "Making Designer Mixed-Media and Memory Jewelry", she takes a subject that can be overwhelming to a beginner and makes as easy as 1-2-3.

The cover of the book with a gorgeous collar by artist Phaedra Torres is a prime example of how wonderful mixed media jewelry can be. The book opens with an Introduction and is followed by Section One: The Basics. This section is Chapter 1: tools and materials, and Chapter 2: Mixed-Media Techniques, including wire wrapping and knotting.The second half of the book is made up of the projects and the gallery section- Chapter 3: Ephemera and Memory, Chapter 4: Collectibles and Souvenirs, Chapter 5: Found Objects and Natual Objects, and Chapter 6: Mixed-Media Jewelry Gallery. There is also a resource section in the back.

Being a mixed media jewelry artist myself, I know you have to look at things and think "HOW can I use that and make it wearable?" I've talked to alot of people who think they aren't THAT creative and don't know where to begin using something that isn't found in a jewelry supply store. They want too, they just don't know where to start.

Well, if that is you my friend this book is a great starting place. Making Designer Mixed Media & Memory Jewelry will help you look at things differently when buying jewelry supplies. Yarn, pink post it notes, vinyl pipe and more can be turned into great jewelry!!! found

The last paragraph in the introduction of this book states: "It's time to flex your creative muscles. Explore unique posssiblities of crafting wearable jewelry art while learning traditional jewelrymaking methods." and this book definately helps the jewelry artist do this! Tammy has put together a sweet collection of mixed media jewelry projects in this fun and inspiring book that will make you absolutely love working with mixed media.

As you go thru the book,Tammy encourages the reader think about things sitting in your drawer or junk box and how you can incorporate them into something similar. Some of the projects I loved are Tammy's "Grandmothers Marquee", Cyndi Lavin's "Timeless Treasure Pins" and Elizabeth and Rachel Geltmen"Pink Paper Paradise Earrings".

So to sum it up, this a great book for anyone who is interested in getting started with mixed media jewelry but feels unsure where to start. I hope that Tammy does a sequel to this book, maybe More Mixed Media Memories so I can contribute some jewelry for it!

This book was shipped quickly and arrived as promised. I was excited to get this book and check out any new and/or different ideas. I wasn't disappointed. I wish there were descriptions and how-tos on ALL of the things shown, but there's enough information to keep me happy. I look forward to putting this book to good use.