If you think that making your own jewelry is a complicated, time consuming hobby, then a look at this book will put you right. With the wide range of components today and a bit of know-how and imagination, you can make quick and easy pieces to complement your outfits and give as gifts.



This book hits the ground running, getting straight into the projects after a brief introduction and a two-page spread showing thumbnails of all the pieces. There are sixty of these, comprising earrings, necklaces, bracelets, bangles, rings, brooches and even a watch strap. They are grouped according to difficulty, starting off with the basic ones and getting more advanced. The style is a fun and eclectic mix of the new and vintage, and many projects involve taking something ordinary and giving it a twist. Gold paint transforms a rather dull bangle, while another is wrapped with thread, beads are wrapped with cloth or dyed, findings are customized with embroidery, or unusual items and chains are sliced and diced. At the back is a section on the equipment you need, plus techniques of both jewelry making and embroidery as well as a list of suppliers from Etsy. This has been put at the back so as to leave the more advanced skills until later, and it is there when you need it. At the start of each section there is a list of the projects and a page showing them all made up with a key identifying them, a useful touch. This book shows that jewelry making is fun, modern and something you don't need a lot of skills or money to do, and it would make an ideal starting point for a new hobby. * Rachel Hyde - Myshelf.com *