Classic Chain Mail Jewelry With A Twist-Book Review-Giveaway

I recently received the book, Classic Chain Mail Jewelry with a Twist by Sue Ripsch from Kalmbach Books. 

I've been interested in trying my hand at Chainmaille for a while, but haven't had any books, classes or tutorials on it so I could try it.  This book is great, although I think I might have been better off to try Sue's first book first.  But she goes into great detail about how to make your own jumprings if you want, along with hints on how to do that and even mentions a professional jump ring maker if you are going to be doing this a lot.  She has the support of her family, especially her husband who makes the jump rings for her and even sells them on their site.  Plus her daughter, Megan has been developing her own chainmaille weaves.  She also describes how to clean and polish your jump rings/jewelry in tumblers and mentions the 2 diffferent types of tumblers available and how they work. She then gives you info on what to use in your tumbler to get the most out of it and where to get the supplies you need.  Then she gets into the part that made me think I should have started with the first book. She has a great chart in there about the different gauges of wire jump rings and what their wire diameter in MM would be as well as a chart showing the conversion for jump rings made out of different gauges of wire. Then she explains what the aspect ration is, how to figure it and how to change it for a weave to get it to work/lay right.  However, math has never been my strong point, so I had to read this 3 or 4 times before I 'got' it. LOL  But she does such a good job explaining it, that I finally figured it out.  Then the fun begins.  She has sections fro Beginner Weaves, Intermediate Weaves and Advanced Weaves.  They all look like so much fun.  Like the European Rosette Bracelet weave.  This is the one I want to try as soon as I can find some jump rings. I'm a little disappointed it's been so hard to try to find jump rings locally, (and I'm not wanting to make a couple of hundred jump rings right now) so I'll have to order some so I can try my first Chainmaille bracelet.  Plus she gives ideas on the different weaves to change them up, add some extra bling to them, use twisted jump rings for a different look, etc.  Her descriptions, pictures and explanations are so throrough, even a beginner like me will be able to make some great Chainmaille pieces.  I can't wait to get some jump rings and get started.  The illustrations are wonderful and really enhance the weaves and descriptions.  Even if you haven't been thinking about trying Chainmaille, after reading this book, you'll want to dive right in. 

Sue shares her expertise in workshops across the country and her and her husband have an online business, "Jewwelry by Sue" where you can find her finished jewelry, kits and jub rings made by them for your chainmaille adventure.  Check this book out. You're going to love it.

Kalmbach books has such a great selection of books for every type of craft/crafter.  You need to check out their site for this great book if you're interested in Chainmaille or other books in your favorite craft.  Also, for another perspective of this book, check out Texas Pepper Jams. She's done a review of the book and is having a GIVEAWAY!

 

(The book above was provided by Kalmbach Books for review. The author of this blog has not received any payment from above-mentioned company. The post above represents only personal opinion of the blog author.)

 

Kim St. Jean's Metal Magic-Book Review

Kalmbach books recently sent me Kim St. Jean's new book Metal Magic.  I love Kim's books and online classes from Beaducation. She is a wonderful teacher.  She explains everything very thoroughly, which is sometimes hard to do in a book or online class.  I already had her book, Mixed Metal Mania and was anxious for this new book to come out and read it.  She starts out with a Base Tools section that tells you the base tools you'll most likely need for every project in the book.  She then moves on to Sawing and Piercing Basics, showing the tools you need for these projects. She also explains how to use these tools and offers a practice project and a challenge project.  Next comes the Etching Basics. Here she outlines the tools you'll need, plus basic etching instructions, alternative resists and lots of tips. If you've ever wanted to know about etching, it's covered here.  After that comes Enameling basics. Besides the enameling tools you'll need, she covers setting up your enameling area, safety measures, different metals for enameling, how to enamel, a practice project and a troubleshooting box. She also covers settings, cold connections, texture and finishing and findings. In each section, she has a box with the tools you'll need for each of those techniques. What I really love about that, is she shows a little toolbox that's color coded with the tools for the technique/section and then in the projects, she has toolboxes listed that you need, so that if you keep your tools organized according to the way she has them outlined in each section, you'll know at a glance what tools you need for that project.  There's also a Studio Checklists with the 'Need' to have, 'Nice' to have and a few more tools, plus the Unconventional Tools, Tips and Tricks section.  She talks about inspiration and then moves right into the projects. These are all great and progress through simple projects that may only use one of your 'toolboxes' to more complicated projects where you may need 3, 4 or more of your 'toolboxes'. Two of my favorites are the 'Look Deep Into My Heart' pendant which uses Etching, Sawing and Piercing and Cold Connections. I just have to get over my fear of trying a saw. And the other one is 'Bless Her Little Steampunk Heart'  I've become enamored with Steampunk and this just looks like some fun earrings to make, using Sawing and Piercing , Enameling and Cold Connections.  So if you're looking for a fun new book that will take your Jewelry Design/Making to a new level, this is the book for you.  It's available at Kalmbach books.

Making Metal Clay Jewelry-Review

I've been thinking of delving into the world of Metal Clay.  However, I don't really want to have to have a kiln to fire it.  So I started looking at Art Metal Clay.  Then I received the book The Absolute Beginners Guide: Making Metal Clay Jewlry by Cindy Pankopf and published by Kalmbach Books.  It is a wonderful book.  Cindy sets everything out very clearly, especially for someone who doesn't know anything about the Metal Clays.  Right from the beginning she gives you places you might find instructors or classes to learn from in your area.  Then she outlines what Silver clay is and what to expect from it as you work with it.  She also sets out a little warning to not skip ahead so you won't get frustrated with your efforts and waste time and money. Then she delves right in to the different types of clay and varieties of clay.  For instance, there's lump clay, paste clay, syringe clay and paper clay.  There's also ACS clay, ACS Slow Dry, ACS 650, even Copper clay (which is why I got interested in the first place, since I love copper, but would like to be able to do more with it than just cut pieces of copper sheet.)  She also mentions in the Basics that she designed all the projects in the book so as to be fired with a simple to use, inexpensive, handheld butane torch, which is great for beginners.  That way you can get used to the firing process without putting out a lot of money/investment in the beginning, until you know if this is really for you.  She also lists other materials you can use with your clay, like gemstones, wire and more.  Then she delves right in outlining tools and supplies you'll need. Cindy tries to keep start-up costs minimal by suggesting tools and substitutes that are inexpensive and easy to come by.  For instance, Freezer paper can be used for a nonstick work surface instead of Teflon-coated sheets.  And playing cards can be used to measure your gauge/thickness instead of buying graduated slat sets.  Olive oil can even be used as an oil to keep surfaces and your hands from sticking to the clay.  She talks about the tools you'll need for working with dry clay, firing, finishing and adding patina's.  There's even a section on specialty tools you might want/need.  Next is the Techniques section where she talks about an easy way to figure out gram size for scrap clay you will have, storing your clay between sessions and recovering your scrap clay.  There's tips about how to know if your firing too long and what to look for while you're firing.  And then ways to get different finishes on your fired clay.  And there's this handy shopping list you can print out for the projects in Part 2. 

Are you ready to go?  The projects start with the easiest and also grouped by the techniques you'll learn.  I really liked that.  At the top of the page it show you what technique you'll be learning with this project. For instance, with the first project: Stamped Charms, you'll learn Roll, Texture and Create a Satin Finish.  Plus, a chart tells you how big the charm will be and what you'll need for this project.  There's also extra tips with each project about how to do something easier or get rid of unwanted texture from your Teflex sheet.  The projects graduate to harder and harder projects, learning new techniques with each one, right up to working with Paper (sheet) clay and how to assembly dry clay with an overlay.  The final project is one with Copper clay, since it requires a few more tools and techniques.  There is only one that can be Torch Fired, so be careful if you want to work with Copper and make sure you get the right clay.  At the end is 'Beyond the Basics' with tips on Making connections, reconditioning/reclaiming clay, how to fix mistakes and how to repair broken pieces.  All in all this is a great book for the beginner.  It outlines everything you need to know and what you need to begin working with Metal Clay.  I think even ones that have worked with it for a while would enjoy it and perhaps learn something from it, even if it's just something they'd forgotten or hadn't thought about.  I highly recommend this book if you've been thinking about starting to work with Metal Clay.  Even if there's a class or instructor in your area, this is a great book to have on your bookshelf to refer to afterwards for more tips or reminders of what you learned.

Keep a watch on my Etsy shop, KayzKreationz for new Glass Kreationz and Jewelry that will be featuring pieces made with Metal Clay.

Disclaimer: I received this book from Kalmbach Publishing to read and do my review.

Books, Cooking, Gruene Acres Cozy Kitchen and More

When was the last time you read a book? Do you love to read or do you get caught up in surfing the internet, watching TV, etc? Do your children/grandchildren love to read or are they always playing video games? Would you like to develop a love for reading in them? Then check out the new shop of the day, ByTheWayside for some great vintage books and cookbooks. How many of us remember Nancy Drew and the mysteries she solved? Well one of her books is pictured at the right and is for sale at the shop of the day. And if you love cooking, check out this vintage cookbook they have.

But if you don't want to have to cook for yourself or want the convenience of eating out, but would rather have a nice meal at home, check out Gruene Acres Cozy Kitchen. They have wonderful menu items at about the price of eating out or a little less. They have JT's Beef Stroganoff with Portabello mushrooms and some great side items to go along with it, including Strawberry Spinach Salad. Making myself hungry as I write. They deliver, ship, and cater. So go on over and check them out.