Book Review: The WireWorker’s Companion

Title: The WireWorker's Companion

Author:  Denise  Peck & Jane Dickerson

Pictures: 10/10
Clarity of Instruction: 10/10

Complexity: 2/10

Overall Score: 9/10 

 

The WireWorker's Companion..... was a lot smaller than I thought it'd be. When I first ordered it online, I figured it'd be roughly 9x12 the way most of the craft books are. Instead it's more like.. 8x5? It's not a bad thing at all, I just found it hilarious when I first got it.  It's a spiralbound book, and flips open sort of like a sketchpad, rather than a notebook would. I like that about it. I think it keeps it open better on my bench when I'm working. 

This is a really basic book, but everything it does cover, is done very well. It's basic wire work techniques. Things that are covered in the back of most of the step by step wire magazines. However. The photos are much better, and you can see everything that's done very clearly. It covers tools, types of wires, different things you can do with wire, and which wires work best for different applications. There's even a (SUPER) short section on fusing silver using a micro torch. :D 

My favorite things out of the entire book were actually the tools, charts and the reference section in the back. Since I'm self taught I learn about tools primarily from the books and articles I read. My newest one that I've learned about? A set of hole punching pliers. I admit, I'm astounded. I'm also miffed that my local craft store doesn't carry them. :( These specifically stuck in my head because of a project I"m working on, and I keep thinking how much easier the job would be if I had these, which is true. I just have to keep working as I have been though. :) The charts cover things like wire gauge, and different diameters that should be kept in mind when working with chainmail. The reference section is something I'm just starting to see in the Interweave books, and frankly I love it. They have 'further reading' as well as a list of places for where to get the supplies used in the book and the tools. Again, being self-taught, this makes my life so much easier (although I admit price hunting is still a pain!) 

I also really loved the tips. There's pretty much a tip for everything in the book. Just something small that makes whatever you're doing so much easier. My favorite one was one about tumble polishing. Apparently if you don't remove some of the oxidization from your jewelry before tumbling, it will be polished to a gunmetal appearance. I don't know about anyone else, but I think that's pretty useful! 

I think my two favorite things I learned from this book were the ideas of stamping my clasps, and how to do a proper wire loop. I know, I know, you're staring at my in disbelief right? I've known /how/ to do a wire loop and even a wrapped loop for ages. Something about the way it was presented in this book though, it made it so much easier to get them all the same I suppose? I must say, from what I've seen, my stuff looks much better now and I am very pleased by that. 

All in all, I definitely recommend this book, even if you're a master at wirework, I think it might be useful. 

Do you have any thoughts on this book? Feel free to comment below. :)

Confessions

Today I want to talk about silly things. More accurately silly things I do  when I'm making jewelry.
It occurred to me (over this past week of being sick, my apologies on being away) that I do a lot of silly things when I'm at the bench. And they were so silly, I figured I'd share, because hopefully, I'm not the only one. ;)

• I never seem to get even count Peyote stitch right. For reasons unknown I'll make five rows and then I just miss something. Somehow, I'll end up with a bead missing at the end and the whole piece gets chucked across the room. 
• Ok, I don't really chuck unfinished pieces across the room. I just throw them down on the bench and stalk off like an angry cat. 
• I always dive in at the deep end. When I'm learning a new skill, I don't start at the 'easy projects'. I go headfirst into this Super Amazing, Blow Your Socks Off Idea that I had at 2 am, without practicing the skill first. 
• I then fail at said project, get really upset with myself and proceed to sulk....not that I tell anyone. I just sit and glare at my bench until I work up the nerve to try again.

See what I mean about silly things? These are things I'm working to change, and I figure the first step is admitting them and realizing that I do them, right?

What about you? What are some silly things you do?

Spring Hasn’t Sprung Just Yet

 

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, winter has been crazy this year, and it isn’t done with us yet. Since that’s the case, I put together a list of all sorts of plant themed things for around the home or office, to try and brighten things up a little.  They don’t need water or soil and bonus they look pretty! Some of it’s jewelry, some of it isn’t but for what isn’t, just consider it inspiration for things that could be.  

 

First up, the picture that inspired this whole idea by AlwaysAprilAlayne.
I love how thick his beard looks, and the delicate shading she used.

If hirsute men and flowers are not your thing, try this:  A reprint of a botanical sketch by Herman Kohler. FleurDeNature has several others in her shop other than this lovely poppy. (I picked the poppy because it’s just so vibrant.)

 

 

I’m always moving or fiddling with things so this ring really appeals to me. On top of that, it’s beautifully  textured and oxidized. While artisanlook does have many other stunning rings (many of them just as mobile) this one is my favorite. ^^

This organic plate set from JustMare would more than likely end up in my studio rather than my kitchen were I to order it. I love looking at botanical sketches, there’s so much you can come up with from them. I also really like the speckled texture.

 

Some people, like my sister B, get very grumpy and despondent during the winter. Looking at this, I think would be a great way to carry spring around everywhere, all year long, right? From StudioBotanica

 

If you’d rather decorate with something a little more textured, try this out. From sometimesiswirl.

 

 

I don’t know about anyone else, but I love to nap. However, I don’t get to nap much because it’s always too bright in my bedroom during the day. (Thank you south facing windows..) I think this eyemask from SwoonCashmere with it’s pretty flowers and silk band would help. What do ya’ll think?

When looking up botanical things for the home, I found these. And I died laughing. I love the juxtaposition of the fancy dress (circa what 1890’s give or take?)  mixed with the vibrant veggie heads. From PrintLand

 

Getting married this spring? encrestudio

 

This super realistic iris painting from marieburke1 blew my mind when I first saw it. I thought it was an upclose picture at first. Nope, it’s a skillfully done watercolor. Can you believe it?

 

Something to make your office pop this year, a bright and vibrant calendar from MyPaperKittens! (And really? That name is too cute.)

I’ve got family all over the country, and this seems like a great things to send out in the mail to cheer people up. From MemoriesPictures

If you like the botanical prints, but don’t want flowers, this might be more up your alley. Exotic fungi and how they grow. Taken from a book published in Belgium in the 1800’s by AntiqueWallArt.

 

While normally I'm not one for images on my cupcakes, this would change my mind. So simple and already made. By QueenofTartsWafers

By LittleHousePillowCo

 

Made from real dandelions set in resin, this necklace by Safayet, just brings one thing to mind “make a wish!”

 

Like any of the pieces above? Feel free to comment below :D

10 Things I’m Dreaming of…

Have you ever had one of those days, where despite your best efforts, you’re not getting much work done? All you’re doing is daydreaming. Or perhaps you’re working hard but a small “What if…”  or ‘If only….” pops into your head. That’s been me today. I came down with a killer cold, and now I’m up to my knees in tissues, scraps of wire and what ifs. I figured I’d share…the what ifs that is, not the yucky tissues.

1. An assistant  (to get water when I run out, and take notes while I'm working) 
2. A brick and mortar store. 
3. Someone to deal with correspondence for me. It's not that I don't want to, I just hate leaving my workbench! Or at least someone to look over the correspondence in case I'm not making sense..
4. A room specifically for my supplies. 
5. Silver! I want so badly to work in silver...
6. A huge stash of sari ribbons to play with. 
7. A better torch would be lovely. (not that I have any issues with my baby, I just can't do everything I want to with a microtorch)
8. A HUGE craft library. >< This would be heaven. 
9. A full set of chasing and repousse tool. =sighs dreamily=
10. A way to use super super thin copper! 

What about you? What are you dreaming of? Feel free to share in the comments.

Welcome Back!

When I had to take down the blog last year (wow that sounds odd) I had intended to have things back up and running, and posting regularly by the 15th of January. I even had this whole "Welcome Back" post full of snark and lovely goals.

Through various life things getting in the way though, that got tossed by the wayside, although I did make sure there would be a book review for ya'll.

This time, I'm back though, and even trying something new so that I can commit to bringing new content and ideas for ya'll, an editorial calendar. Full of jewelry, design, learning things, and the usual variety of geeky things as well.  I even have plans for a few regular posts, although the ATB will only be done every now and then ( was it just me or was it getting repetitive?) Instead, you can follow me over at my new twitter @GlassEternal where I'll post up thoughts and questions that pop up as I work. I'll also be posting up content two to three times a week, still with a healthy mix between jewelry and all things chic and geeky.

Last year was chaotic and an utter mess, this year will hopefully be better. Care to find out with me?

Book Review: Designing Jewelry With Semiprecious Beads

Title: Designing Jewelry With Semiprecious Beads

Author: Kim Gover

Pictures: 10/10
Clarity of Instruction: 2/10

Complexity: 2/10

Overall Score: 8/10

 

Hullo :) How are you doing today? Good I hope? Today's book is a book that, odd as it seems, just puts me in a good mood. Not because it's got super complex work, or deep insightful teachings on how to make jewelry. More because of the attitude of the jewelry it shows off. Let me start off by saying the pictures in this book are BEAUTIFUL! They're bright, they're colorful, and they're not too cluttered. The layout is superb and it's not a book that when flipping through it I get what I call "shiny glare' . (You know it, you go into a bead or gem show and after staring at everything for so long your brain just shuts down and can't absorb any thing else? Yeah, that.) Luckily this book doesn't do that :D

The most complicated thing in this book is a bit of wire wrapping. Other than that, it's a simple stringing book, with nothing too scary in it. The first third of the book is devoted to going over different stones that you can work with, if it's altered and what it does to it, if it can be passed off as something else, the relative price of the stones, and some suggested companions for the stone. The second half is about making a piece of jewelry for every stone listed, if not more than one.  Say you like the idea of amazonite? There's a beautiful combination of amazonite and rose quartz on page 68.   All of the designs are classy and fun, and vary in style design. 

While this isn't one I'd pick up for myself, if you're just getting started, or you need a good reference on stones, I would definitely pick this one up. 

Do you have any thoughts on this book? Feel free to comment below. :) 

Book Review: Jewelry With A Hook

Title: Jewelry With A Hook: Crocheted Fiber Necklaces, Bracelets, & More

Author: Terry Taylor

 

Pictures: 5/10
Clarity of Instruction: 8/10

Complexity: 8/10

Overall Score: 7/10

I will be completely honest and say that this book was not what I thought it was going to be. I had reserved the book from my local library, thinking it was about crocheting with wire. I admit, it had been a very bad day. I COMPLETELY missed the lines underneath the title saying 'Crocheted fiber necklaces, bracelets, and more".  Don't ask me how I missed it, I'm still not sure. ><  In my defense though, the library page didn’t have an image of the book.

So, if you're not like me, and that subtitle made sense to you, this book is entirely about making jewelry from fibers. It's not really my thing. But, since it is about jewelry, and I did bring it home, I figured I should review it. 

The pictures are clear and the models are lovely. The entirety of the instructions is in shorthand though, and I admit, it left me baffled. According to a friend who does crochet though, it's well written and makes perfect sense. There's even a section in the back that shows you how to do 'basic' techniques and explains all the abbreviations used in the book. I did try decoding it. For once my coding skills failed me miserably. I will be quite blunt and say that most of the pieces in the book look more like... well, centerpiece decorations than something you'd wear yourself. Then there are some pieces that look as though they can't tell whether they want to be scarves or necklaces. On the flipside though, there are pieces that I find quite lovely, if not something I'd wear myself. There's one that is a high choker done in a very lacy fashion, that when in black, looks stunning. Another is a fine chain done from a silver thread that would looks superb with a pendant strung on it. 

This is a book that has it's upsides and it's downsides as far as I'm concerned. I will say this though, if you already knit or crochet on your own, and you've ever wondered if you could somehow combine the two, this is the book to check out. 

Do you have any thoughts on this book? Feel free to comment below. :)