Books! (the title of the post)
For Christmas, my boyfriend and I each picked out out own presents off amazon. He himself is quite the bibliophile, and I really wanted a couple of books. I got myself Mary Hettmansperger's book 'Wrap, Stitch, Fold & Rivet' and Susan Lenart Kazmer's 'Making Connections: A Handbook of Cold Joins for Jewlers and Mixed-Media Artists'
. I would highly recomend either one of these books, as I am immensely enjoying the both of them. I am loving the ideas and style of Susan's book. It is very found-object focused with STUNNING pictures of projects she has created. Turning bottle caps into bezels, how to create funky trapezes to dangle objects from, pictures of mini-lightbulbs with little paper messages inside... what's not to love? I just wish I had been able to take my 'found object' art supplies with me here to Seoul. I have a whole bunch of stuff sitting in Canada that would be great for this kind of thing but i had to leave my stash behind (but safely tucked away in storage!).
I also am loving the project based aproach in Mary's book. There are many techniques discussed at the beginning of the book and then it turns to project creation. I unfortunately lack many of the tools needed for both books. I sadly still don't have an anvil, a dapping block, or a torch :(. Give me time... and a good hardware store... Mary seems to have a strong following for her book, as I have seen many of these projects being discussed on blogs and such. I am looking forward to getting started, but am still in the material and idea gathering phase for her first project of a 'spinner necklace'.
However, I have created a couple necklaces that use ideas discussed in the technique sections. Mary's book discusses how to create these swirls and pound them flat. Lacking an anvil, i am ashamed to admit i have been using a hard ruler and a towel.... sigh. However, the wire was fairly soft and it worked fairly well for this! This necklace was created while practicing how to make these fun swirls discussed in her book.
8 comments:
I'm glad that you still chose to post your buried treasure - isn't it wonderful to find a book that grabs you?!? I also think it's terrific that you are taking the ideas to heart and making things work with what you have - adaptation at it's finest. the necklace is terrific. :)
I love your swirls. Makes me want to make some for my altered books of some ATCs.
Hi, doing the Buried Treasure tour. Books are always good for gifts. That book by Susan looks like fun. I might order it myself.
I was by earlier and had a look around your blog. I'm glad to see your collaboration post. Lovely jewelry. I'm wondering if you ever got your anvil and torch?
From my Kingdom of Sigh, I was glad to read about your "sigh." The book sounds good. I have worked on some coils and such and enjoyed reading your journey.
Thanks for the book recommendations - it is always great to read reviews. And your jewelry proves that you can make something wonderful even if you don't have the right tools/supplies. Glad you decided to join in!
Greetings Dale! Thanks for stopping by Treasures Found...I have both of these books and they are great. I have not challenged myself to the projects because I lack some of the set up needed. But I would love to! Deryn Mentock is such a role model and I think it is great that you are taking on the challenge. I met Mary at the Bead & Button show in Milwaukee in June. She is really delightful and I would love to take a class. And I did have the good luck to take Susan's mixed metals and resin class in 2008 at Bead & Button. She is simply a stunning artist and so positive to be around. It was life changing for me. Thanks for stopping by...I enjoy the collaborative process and meeting people all over the blogdom! Enjoy the day! Erin
2 great books Dale!
and thank you for your kind comments on my blog!
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