Sparkletastic: 50 Dazzling Jewelry and Fashion Projects for the Discriminating Diva (Impatient Beader) (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: embellishing adhesive, link dangles, sterling head pins, Bead Basics, Microsoft Publisher, Siam Swarovski (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

*A dazzling take on a hot subject (beading and jewelry-making books top the craft charts on Bookscan)

*Features project designs that are quick and easy to make

*Capitalizes on the popularity of crystal jewelry and embellishments--no other book has this focus

Join Margot Potter, the Impatient Beader, as she breaks out the crystal wand, the glitter and the sparklies to create a bedazzling array of quick and easy jewelry projects and beaded accessories. All the projects feature crystals (i.e. Swarovski), Czech glass and glittering gemstone beads for maximum dazzle. The majority of projects will be jewelry with a handful of bead-embellished fashions and accessories such as a pair of beaded jeans, a t-shirt, a purse and a cell phone case. The book also features lots of sparkly fun facts and quotes and is written in Margot's fun and sassy style.

About the Author

Margot Potter is a designer for Beadalon and TV Spokesperson at QVC for the Suspicion™ Marcasite jewelry line. She is currently the interim editor of Simply Beads magazine. Margot is also the sassy author of The Impatient Beader (2006) and The Impatient Beader Gets Inspired (2006).

Product Details

• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: North Light Books (June 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1581809735
• ISBN-13: 978-1581809732
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #212,114 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sparkletastic is Fantastic!!!, June 14, 2007

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

I could hardly wait to receive my copy of The Impatient Beader presents Sparkletastic, because I adore my first two Impatient Beader books which are in this series! I am so glad I was patient--what a reward! Sparkletastic is so much FUN! Margot Potter has such fabulous creativity! Her designs are unique and edgy, yet never silly. They always make sense and are always pretty! The author is extremely knowledgeable about the history of fashion. She also knows about important women in history, and celebrates each and every one of us, explaining the benefits of why we should be ourselves.
In Sparkletastic, she expresses her ingenuity, creating fascinatingly beautiful jewelry and craft designs, all of which have an additional fillip of sass: each project has some sort of shine or glitter in some form or another!

I was so charged when I read this book! It was great to see that the author has used Swarovskis, glitter, disco ball beads, flat backs and hot fix crystals..oh--you name it--if it sparkles, she used it, and she used it WELL, and for a good reason!

I loved the fact that Margot still has her "virgin, vixen, and goddess" (beginner, intermediate, and advanced) categories for her projects...only this time they are "Sparkly Virgin," and so on. These categories, as well as the explanations of beading basics, which are well photographed and are located at the beginning of the book, are very helpful. For example, I am a beader, not a crafter, but because I can see simply portrayed photos of how to create some of my favorite projects from the book, with even more good hints right at the beginning, I can plan to make some cool things for my wardrobe, such as The Rodeo Girl Jacket, which is a complete knockout of a studded jean jacket with a picture of a vintage rodeo girl on the back. You have to love it!

Other projects I found appealing were the colorful and charming Marilyn necklace, named for Marilyn Monroe, and the Disco Monkey T-shirt, which had a mistake the author "fixed" (you never would have realized)! Then she discusses the mistake in a sidebar, one of a few sprinkled throughout the book which she has called "true confessions." These "true confessions" are very humanizing and also plain fun to read. Hey, we all mess up! It's life! It is a good way of teaching the reader what NOT to do! It also shows you how to fix mistakes you have made.

As for projects, I also adored two of what I think exemplify the author's specialties, which is her amazingly inventive way she redoes something classic and makes it new and hip, like a charm bracelet. For example, "The Sweetie Pie Charm Bracelet," which is enchanting, or "The Pirate Jenny Charm Bracelet" with its skulls and crossbones and wonderfully appealing color combinations.

I don't have a baby on the way at the moment, but the "Oh Bebe Onesie" is a fabulous gift to bring to a shower! It is totally charming.
Finally, another project I LOVED is the necklace "Hearts in Chains" : a true work of art! I loved, loved, LOVED this hip necklace, and totally plan to make and wear this!

Margot Potter is an amazing source of energy and inspiration. She quotes famous, successful women who have overcome difficulties, and gone on to savor life; she shows her own vulnerabilities and her delightful sense of humor, both of which add a reality to her wonderful collection of projects, and it is impossible not to love her and her new book, Sparkletastic. We will all shine on, if we own this book! Thank you, Margot! As it says on the back of the book, "Viva La Sparkle!"

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sparkletastic inspires me, February 20, 2008

By	Alexa Westerfield "Swelldesigner" (Lexington, KY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Impatient Beader series is my favorite line of beading books. I like that the projects are geared to a variety of ages and styles...there's really something for everyone. The step by steps are easy to follow and the helpful hints provided me with important information. I like that this is written in 1st person, and it makes it more casual and less technical that way.

The photography and layout are also interesting and fun to look at and are spiked with kitschy flair. Each page really pops out at you, unlike most beading books that bore me with their bland backgrounds and same-o, same-o projects.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another sparkling score for Margot Potter!, February 20, 2008

By	Kathy Cano-Murillo "The Crafty Chica" (Phoenix, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

I love all of Margot's books because they have so many innovative ideas, secret tips, and so much of her shiny personality. It fells like she is right there with you making each and every item. This is a book for people who want to have fun and make cool stuff. The project designs are timeless as they are on trend...It takes a true artist to pull that off, and Margot is just that! Girlie girl power at its best!