Simply Modern Jewelry [Paperback]

Danielle Fox (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2008

Geared toward the novice beader, this comprehensive introduction to making jewelry begins with “Bead Shopping 101”—a description of basic beads and how to differentiate between bead varieties and colors. Thirty projects are presented in a step-by-step manner with full-color illustrations to simplify techniques such as stringing, crimping, and the proper use of jump rings. All the designs reflect a modern sensibility for creating fashionable, boutique-quality jewelry.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School—Novices will find everything they need to gain confidence and knowledge to produce polished creations. The first two dozen pages provide a crash course in identifying the different components of jewelry and the terms that apply to them as well as the tools and techniques used in the projects shown. Bead composition and shape, including charts of size for regular and seed beads, are explained. Findings and metals are laid out and named so that shopping for materials can be done with confidence. Fox discusses how and where she finds inspiration for her designs and how readers can use her ideas as springboards for their own work. Each project starts with a chart of materials, tools, and techniques necessary to complete the piece, the finished size, and a simplicity scale. Large, clear pictures and written directions are given for every step. The projects are chic and satisfying, and range from a simple tied-leather-thong necklace to complicated chandelier earrings. For the most part they could be made in a day and worn that evening. A great resource.—Dana Cobern-Kullman, Luther Burbank Middle School, Burbank, CA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Review

"As editor of Stringing magazine, Danielle Fox knows a thing or two about creating stylish jewelry with a minimum of fuss. Her expertise is evident in this collection."  —Monsters and Critics.com

"Shows that even a beginner can create beautiful boutique quality jewelry. It's a lovely book that I highly recommend for anyone who wants to start making jewelry."  —CraftGossip.com

"Simply stunning designs, from necklaces to bracelets to rings. . . . The book will have a long life on your crafting shelf."  —The News & Observer Notions Blog (North Carolina Triangle)

"If you enjoy creating up to date jewelry that has a modern flare, jewelry that is a little on the cutting edge . . . take a look."  —About.com Guide to Jewelry Making

"A fabulous treasure trove of inspiration."  —ArtBeadScene.com

"I wish I had found a book like this when I started out making jewelry. The projects are quick and easy. The step by step instructions are linked to clear pictures which as easy to follow."  —Beads magazine (UK)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Interweave Press (April 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1596680482
• ISBN-13: 978-1596680487
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #423,269 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful and Educational Beading Book by an Eloquent, Educated Author!, March 26, 2008

By 

Jean Yates "jean, jewelry designer, book and... (United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Simply Modern Jewelry (Paperback)

This jewelry design book, Simply Modern Jewelry, by Danielle Fox, who is the Editor of Stringing Magazine, delivers just what the title implies it will deliver: a collection of stunning, cleanly designed jewelry projects which you will thoroughly enjoy making!
Each project is totally lovely to look at. There is a lot of variety as well. Yet there is even more than this to Simply Modern Jewelry.
The author writes in an easygoing, understandable manner, and comes up with great ways of teaching her projects. They each invariably have a wonderful appeal to the reader, as they are all pretty and "finished" looking. There is a good reason for this. It is one of her intentions to teach how to make jewelry which looks professionally made. She recalls in the introduction to the book that she once bought a special piece of jewelry for a special occasion. It looked so complicated to make! But it wasn't, she now knows, and she demonstrates how to create your own fabulous pieces right here in her book!
There are six sections to this book. The first is a section packed full of explanations of how to shop for beads, what tools and techniques to use, and how to understand the level of expertise you will use for each of the upcoming projects. I really loved the photos of the beads chosen as examples in this section, as I am a bead collector and they were lovely! The section is very clearly written as well, and a good kick off to getting the reader involved and ready to learn.

The following sections are all encompass different styles of making super pretty jewelry. The first is called "Find your Inspiration". This is something I believe is essential for beaders to grasp in order to truly be successful at creating good designs, so I was delighted to see such a great explanation of how become inspired by even the most everyday things around you, such as a pretty piece of wrapping paper which appeals to you, or a recent purchase of a dress, which is so lovely to you it seems to call out to you for special adornment.

The section called "Mix It Up" is very well done and inventive. I like unusual designs which use all sorts of combinations of things. This chapter has many projects which are great fun and are very surprising, like "Snap Fizz Pop", which makes use of soda pop bottle cap beads in a most entertaining manner. You could easily buy the book for this design alone! It's great! But wait! There's more!
The author has a wonderful flair for symmetry, as she shows in the following section called "Play with Symmetry". Once again she demonstrates that jewelry design should be fun as you learn to create beautiful, lasting pieces which you will enjoy for years to come. She doesn't miss a beat intriguing you with balance, color and drama in these projects. There is a great use of different forms of metal in this chapter. I really liked "Brass Menagerie"!
"Experiment with Sizing" and "Easy Does It" are the last two sections of this fine design book. The first one mentioned involves employing unusual lengths for design impact, and the second and final section has some sweet, quick projects so that all of us who feel like making a fast flowery ring (I am a sucker for flowers and rings!)or knotting up a cool cord necklace in a few minutes can satify that urge to create, and come up with some swift style.

If you want to learn how to shop for beads, what to look for in different components used in making jewelry, how to buy your tools and what to do technique-wise...if you wish to learn more about the principles of design, how to use color, and ways of obtaining inspiration from the things which surround you in your daily life, I recommend this book. If you want to make some perfectly lovely jewelry, I recommend this book. It has it all going on. There is a huge range in style and mood. There is much lovely color juxtaposition offered, as well. I think the author really outdid herself in that area!
The interesting thing is that I would bet if you looked through this book you would choose a design and say, "Ooooh! That is so ME!" I know that was one of my responses, frequently. And yet I am not you and you are not me! It is this fine teacher, Ms. Fox, who is imparting her enthusiasm and her knowledge who is making us feel this way.
That is what a good designer and teacher can elicit from her readers: a desire to learn to bead, and bead well, simply because the projects are so lovely, clear, interesting and unique. I recommend this book for all levels of beaders.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simply wonderful, June 15, 2008

By 

Cynthia A. Thornton (Asheville,NC) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Simply Modern Jewelry (Paperback)

This is a great book! The photographs are clear (no annoying fade outs so you can't see the image) and there are many detail photos. The directions are well written and easy to follow. What I like best about this book, is how modern the projects actually are. I could easily picture finding the jewelry in this book at an upscale boutique or gallery. What's even better, the designs aren't trendy, which means you'll get a lot more wear from a piece and not feel its outdated a season later. I highly recommend this book!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good for beginners, but too simple for intermediates, August 26, 2008

By 

Brenda Pace "Brenda Pace" (albuquerque nm) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Simply Modern Jewelry (Paperback)

This is a well presented book. I purchased it because I usually love the author's jewelry designs. There are a few cool ones in the book, but the methods are very basic, so it's definitely a beginner's book and I didn't find it challenging enough. If you're a beginner, I recommend it, otherwise, you might want to pass.