Author, jewelry designer, teacher, and crafty diva, Sherri Haab has done it again. She paired up with Watson-Guptill Publications and created a jewelry how-to book that is a must have this Spring season. I got my hands on a copy and am quite impressed.
Jewelry Inspirations: Techniques and Designs from the Artist's Studio is an all-inclusive jewelry technique and design book. It covers everything from the basics of wire wrapping, to the more complicated techniques of metal clay and etching.
Have trouble with organization and creating your own perfect studio space? Sherri also sheds some light on these topics in the beginning chapters. The book is broken up into themes such as Memories, Seasons, Collections, Hobbies, and Blast from the Past. Each section features a couple of different subsections, that take you through the process of a few different techniques.
I have been asked a couple of times within the past few weeks if I know of any technique books that show fiber and leather techniques. GUESS WHAT!? Sherri features a few different designs that use this technique. Along with others such as wire crochet, Braiding, Lucite flowers, polymer clay, and woven fibers.
The step by step instructions for each project read easily, and are understandable. But my favorite thing about this book is the photography. It's impeccable. The photos of each project are clear, bright, colorful and eye catching. Each section has a beautiful collage photo in the beginning that is truly inspiring in and of itself.
If you are lacking some new inspiration, I definitely recommend picking up a copy of Sherri's Jewelry Inspirations. It really does deliver: INSPIRATION! TIPS! Step by Step Instructions! and how to find Inspiration in the world around you!
Available for order now, here on Amazon.
I have a surprise for you! Art Bead Scene has a copy to give away here!
To enter, answer the following question in the comments:
What is the oddest source of inspiration you’ve had for a jewelry design?
A random winner will be chosen on Sunday March 14th. One comment per person, please. And PLEASE be sure to leave your email so that we can notify you if you win!
30 comments:
Lately, my oddest source of inspiration has been from tea strainers. If someone had told me I would be incorporating them into jewelry a few years ago, I would have never believed it!
This book looks awesome!
hatrudeau@hotmail.com
hi !
my oddest source of inspiration : the main caracters of american soaps
Sometimes I imagine a jewelry design that might be worn by one of them : Horatio Caise (CSI miami), Abby (NCIS) or anyone else.
my e-mail : laulo31700@gmail.com
What a wonderful giveaway! I love Sherri Haab:) The most unusual source of inspiration I've had would have to be my breakfast. One morning I made a bowl of oatmeal and put dried cranberries and brown sugar on top. For some reason I was seeing pearls and ruby chips!
I love jewelry books, so thanks for steering me toward that one!
Thank you for the book review. I have been inspired by a lot of things, however, the oddest source was probably an Aurora Borealis I saw for most of a night while sailing across the Gulf of Alaska. Here's a link to what I made: http://lynfoleyblog.com/2009/12/im-a-bead-star/
The oddest inspiration for me would be something commonplace for other artists: I once saw a drooping tree branch with lacy leaves and thought, aha! necklace!
Before I got started with polymer clay and the generally nature themed, floral designs I use all of my jewelry and art was very linear, often techy or circuitry or math based.
elaine at tooaquarius dot com
Great Review. I just added to my wish list.
I think the oddest source of inspiration and the most successful yet, for me, was Kelly Morgan of Silver Parrot Design's Bug challenge. She posted five great photos of different bugs and challenged her readers to make something. I chose the South American Bindweed Beetle with acid greens and bold rusts amade a great asymetrical double strand bracelet.
If you happen to randomly select me for the book (please, please, pick me!) email me artymeziaATyahooDOTcom
Emanda
The colour combination on a skirt worn by a customer who visited my craft market stall. I had to quickly write it down before I forgot! If I'm lucky enough to win, my e-mail address is:
sueATsoozjewelsDOTcoDOTuk
For me some of the oldest source material I've been using is ancient Roman,Greek simple, elegant wire worked jewelry of the common people. Works using bronze, glass & everyday stones.
Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.
My dogs...they are a beautiful grey-blue color and I used them as inspiration for a design.
megan.zahn@gmail.com
Hands down it is the hardware store. I have been working on a class I am teaching and that is the source. And it has my wheels turning. But my clients bring me the most amazing challenges...they are a constant source. Great review! I hope to put that on my wish list (although I have no filters for books, so it won't remain a wish for long!) Enjoy the day! Erin
I was once inspired by the liquid soap colors in the women's bathroom. We had three bottles (for three women - don't ask me why), and the colors just struck me as fun.
wildvanilladesigns (at) gmail (dot) com
What a great review...
I've not really had unusual inspirations, for me they come from, the sunset, rocks, the lake/sky, the colors of something someone is wearing, beads themselves...
hjc-06@hotmail.com
Cheers
when I was working w/ polymer clay I was inspired by the spice cupboard! sage makes the most beautiful jade colour in transparent polymer
I am not sure if you would call that odd, but my oddest inspiration was the funeral of a dear friend.
I would really enjoy the book.
Thank you for sharing.
nickisreef.blogspot.com
nic12698@live.de
A friend is having a "Wake" for her 50th birthday party. Her favorite song is "Soak Up the Sun" sung by Sheryl Crow. I designed a necklace to give her. I'll blog about it when it gets closer to her party. I don't want her to see it yet.
cndula@elp.rr.com
The oddest inspiration for jewelry designs came from two sources, some bathroom wall tile at a hotel and a male colleagues tie. Both had an extruded cane-type pattern but with very neutral color palettes. I extruded away!
Great giveaway! I'd have to say the strangest source of inspiration lately would have to be aircraft parts. Go figure...
My oldest source of inspirations comes from the Edwardian Period. My other source comes from the Industrialization Era.
Jody
visionquest2020 AT msn DOT com
the oddest source of inspiration I've had is definitely from an unsavoury office joke that went way to far. Sure the end result is a cute little Yoshi egg, but the meaning behind it is very very wrong.
Another great book on my wish list!
My oddest source of inspiration would be my grandfather's basement. He's long passed away, but I'll never forget my sister and I, wide-eyed and a little frightened, decending the creaky wood stairs into the dark basement. Grandpa led us down organized rows found items--some of them were fun and interesting, but most were kind of creepy. You see, my grandfather was a dumpster diver waaaaaay before it was considered an accepted hobby. In fact, he was seen as a bum around town. What I wouldn't give to take another trip down to that basement, which in today's world would probably be worth a fortune!
I do a lot of landscape beads and made a bead one day ... when I went out to pick it up the next morning the sun rise over the cove was the exact colours of the bead I had made the day before... I premonition inspiration....
That book looks wonderful!
My oddest inspiration lately seems to be coming from old buttons...they are looking so new and fresh to me right now!
My oddest source of inspiration is actually my job: I'm a PhD student looking at plant genetics. So I often look at pictures of DNA and chromatin, which look like dutch spiral and peyote spiral respectively! Then these jewellery ideas form based on my work. Weird and geeky, but I guess it's whatever makes you tick, right?
I want this book, hopefully I'll win it...if not, I'll buy it :) I'm not sure if this is odd or if all creative people do this, but I wander through stores like Wal-mart and Lowes looking for items I can use for jewelry that have nothing to do with jewelry. It's very fun!
Thanks for the giveaway!!
Lisa
lucidmoonstudio(at)gmail(dot)com
my oddest inspiration, but pretty typical anymore for me, was a roadkill toad i found on the road on my bike ride. he was still sitting up with his tongue hanging out and his eyes open .
My oddest inspiration to date has come from a chicken's feathers, they were incredible! Who would have guessed? If I am lucky enough to win my email is:
chevelle70grl@gmail.com Thanks!
~Erika T , NH
I absolutely love this necklace. I haven't even tapped into the vast amount of things I can do with metal stamping yet.
Nice giveaway!!! Thanks for sharing a wonderful information and the technique from the jewelry inspirational.
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